A Place in the World

Finding the Meaning of Home

By: Frances Mayes

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A lyrical and evocative collection of personal stories from the author of Under the Tuscan Sun, in which the queen of wanderlust reflects on the comforts of home.

“Personal, warm, and lovely . . . a charming read. The book feels like a warm conversation with your most thoughtful, curious friend.”—Garden & Gun

LONGLISTED FOR THE PEN/DIAMONSTEIN-SPIELVOGEL AWARD • VERANDA BOOK CLUB PICK

“Where you are is who you are.”

Though Frances Mayes is known for her travels, she has always sought a sense of home wherever she goes. In this poetic testament to the power of place in our lives, Mayes reflects on the idea of home, from the earliest imprint of four walls to the startling discoveries of feeling the strange ease of homes abroad, friends’ homes, and even momentary homes that spark desires for other lives. From her travels across Italy to the American South, France, and Mexico, Mayes examines the connective tissue among them through the homes she’s inhabited.

A Place in the World explores Mayes’s passion for and obsession with houses and the objects that inhabit them—books, rich food, gardens, beloved friends, and transportive art. The indelible marks that each refuge has left on her and how each home influenced the next serve as the foundations of the book’s chapters.

Written in Mayes’s signature intimate style, A Place in the World captures the adventure of moving on while seeking comfort in the cornerstone closest to all of us—home.

©2022 Frances Mayes (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Personal, warm, and lovely . . . a charming read.”—Garden & Gun

“A Place in the World is an homage of sorts to the South, where [Mayes] grew up. . . . The experience is both a homecoming and a reckoning with the past.”—The Washington Post

“Sparkling . . . There are so many lovely descriptions of Mayes’ houses in A Place in the World, but this is not a book about buildings . . . It’s about the concept of home, that intangible thing . . . It’s a whirlwind home tour and homage to friendship . . . A beautiful, thought-provoking read.”—BookPage, (starred review)

The full, lush descriptions that made me feel I was right there with the author.

Cassandra Campbell is the perfect narrator for this book. Well-chosen! I listened while I had a required time-out instead of a vacation due to illness. A much needed break, and this book on Audible helped lift my spirits and feel as if I were right there with the author as she lovingly describes how anywhere in the world can feel like home. Food for thought. I will be listening to this again. Thank you!

The insight and expansion to Under Tuscan Sun

I really appreciated the historical dimension to this book. From far history of many of building, to authors history to recent reflection of pandemic. The importance of culture and community.

What is Home

While ready this I became very reflective of childhood gatherings around food with relatives. It also brought back memories of my travels, friends with me on my travels and the great meals we shared. Stirred up GREAT memories.

Frances has proven that you can go home again thru your memories .

Frances has proven to me you can go home again.. remembering a taste ,a smell, a vision,
or just remembering.. I have read all of the Frances Mayes books over the past many years.. I am 73 and enjoyed reading from the age of 12…. Her books have given me the most
insight and memories as well as days of wonderful escape.. Thank you Frances.

So thought provoking. Stirs own memories of life at home, loving memories of people who were gifts.

Nothing to dislike. Curl up with this book in a favorite chair. I will put this book on repeat very soon.

as always great

so relaxing and connecting to my own memories of home and travel.ready to hit the road

Lovely meditation on the meaning of home

No real plot, but very enjoyable nonetheless. Evocative descriptions of prior homes and their importance for the author.

Beautiful Storytelling

I've long admired this authors writings. This book answers many questions about the how and when of her house choices. Delightful. Great narration. You can easily listen to parts of the book without needing to read straight through. I wish it came with photos!

Boring

So slow and boring. Get to the point. I could not finish the first chapter. Bummer of a book

Recipes

No story base , hard to follow could not tell if it was about home or cooking or she was lost in the world