Every Day in Tuscany

Seasons of an Italian Life

By: Frances Mayes

Narrated by: Frances Mayes

In this sequel to her New York Times best sellers Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany, the celebrated "bard of Tuscany" (New York Times) lyrically chronicles her continuing, two decades-long love affair with Tuscany's people, art, cuisine, and lifestyle.

Frances Mayes offers her listeners a deeply personal memoir of her present-day life in Tuscany, encompassing both the changes she has experienced since Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany appeared, and sensuous, evocative reflections on the timeless beauty and vivid pleasures of Italian life. Among the themes Mayes explores are how her experience of Tuscany dramatically expanded when she renovated and became a part-time resident of a 13th century house with a stone roof in the mountains above Cortona, how life in the mountains introduced her to a "wilder" side of Tuscany - and with it a lively engagement with Tuscany's mountain people. Throughout, she reveals the concrete joys of life in her adopted hill town, with particular attention to life in the piazza, the art of Luca Signorelli (Renaissance painter from Cortona), and the pastoral pleasures of feasting from her garden.

Moving always toward a deeper engagement, Mayes writes of Tuscan icons that have become for her storehouses of memory, of crucible moments from which bigger ideas emerged, and of the writing life she has enjoyed in the room where Under the Tuscan Sun began. With more on the pleasures of life at Bramasole, the delights and challenges of living in Italy day-to-day and favorite recipes, Every Day in Tuscany is a passionate and inviting account of the richness and complexity of Italian life.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2010 Frances Mayes (P)2010 Random House

Critic reviews

"If the parade of art, food, elemental landscape and abiding camaraderie gives the reader a case of eye-ache and envy, the author can only be admired for having worked hard to earn the life and for celebrating it with such genuine relish. Mayes the sensualist in full bloom." (Kirkus Reviews)

"Mayes is generous with her thoughts, and her evocative writing simply oozes charm and warmth. In these times, this quick read is a thoroughly enjoyable way to visit Italy without once considering the heartbreaking dollar-to-euro conversion rate." (Booklist)

a little too relaxing a listen

Would you try another book from Frances Mayes and/or Frances Mayes?

I joined audible with a new job that has an hour commute - this book made me very sleepy. Also - there is supposed to be a pdf attachment with recipes that I did not get. Perhaps audible cannot attach pdf's?

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

I don't think so.

Interesting

I use Audible as my way of reading as I love the voices and the readers pronunciation of words I dare not attempt. In reading this book it says to get the pdf of the recipes however I guess I miss out on the recipes by listening. It’s to bad.

very disappointed

What did you like best about Every Day in Tuscany? What did you like least?

I have read the book and enjoyed it and was looking forward to listening to it at leisure. However after a couple of chapters I had to give up. How somebody who had spent considerable time in italy during the past 20 years could have such terrible pronunciation is beyoud me. It became irritating.

Would you be willing to try another book from Frances Mayes? Why or why not?

Yes, provided no Italian was involved.

Would you be willing to try another one of Frances Mayes’s performances?

Possibly.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

Must be more careful in the future. Even if it is a good storey the narrator can kill it.

I only made it about 15 minutes before…

i had to return this book because the narration, unfortunately, is so drab and dull. I’m sure the story is great but the narration killed it for me. I’m really bummed because I was looking forward to listening to this book. I may have to read it instead of listen to it.

Wishing for a different life

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, if you have ever dreamed of exploring Tuscany...

Would you recommend Every Day in Tuscany to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes, I would recommend this book -- if you have ever read the book

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scenes were the ones with her Grandson -- maybe becuase I believe that this life is still possible for us when we have Grandchildren. American children's eating habits in comparison to Italian children gave me food for thought. I loved the enthusiasm of their grandson in his desire to cook

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listen to books driving back and forth from work -- 2 hours everyday. I don't think I would have wanted to listen to it in one sitting -- but it wasn't until I finished the book that I realized I could access the PDF that she referred to throughout the book. I am thrilled that I have 43 pages of recipes that were mentioned in the book. I have been inspired to cook and make homemade pasta and sauces that I have never attempted before. Thank you Frances!

Any additional comments?

Perfect read for the 30-50.... and older reader.

Not as good as other two

While I love to hear Frances’ stories, this one just didn’t have the heart that the other two had. This book focused quite a bit on artwork, which is interesting but hard to translate into an audiobook. Perhaps the actual book has photos?

Informative on Italian Art and Cooking, but.......

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

If I had been interested in Italian cooking and/or someone's personal opinion of Italian art I would have loved this book. I'm sure I did learn something from this, but I had hoped for a good story set in Italy. This book is written like a diary or a day to day account of events with no plot. I believe Frances Mayes is a very intelligent woman with lots of energy and a lust for life, but her narration is almost unbearable. Her voice is unpleasant and her pronunciation of Italian words is irritating. She seems bored and disconnected when reading the book. It was hard to keep listening.

Would you ever listen to anything by Frances Mayes again?

Probably not.

Would you be willing to try another one of Frances Mayes’s performances?

No

Could you see Every Day in Tuscany being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No! Well, maybe a TV cooking show.

Any additional comments?

I really wanted to like the book because I am going to Italy soon, but it was so hard to finish listening to it.

pleasant

It was enjoyable to be drawnito Mrs. Mayes life I Italy. She does bring it to life with her passion for the place and people.

Everyday in Tuscany

I love every one of Frances Mayes' books. When one comes out, I read it right away. She writes and I am transported to Italy. However, in this Audio book, she should have hired a professional to read her words. Her voice is rigid and flat with no variation in tone. In my opinion, her voice detracts from the whole experience. I knew she was from the South, so that is not it.
Italy is a country of passion and emotion, and there is none of that passion, excitement, and humor in her reading. I'm just so disappointed. I should have read the book.

I Wish

I wish Ms. Mayes would hire a professional reader. The twang in her voice, and Italy, just don’t work together. They just don’t. Despite numerous attempts to listen to this book, I haven’t gotten far into it.