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Under the Tuscan Sun

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Under the Tuscan Sun

By: Frances Mayes
Narrated by: Frances Mayes
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About this listen

Number-one New York Times best seller

The beloved memoir of self-discovery set against the spectacular Tuscan countryside that inspired the major motion picture starring Diane Lane - now in a 20th-anniversary edition featuring a new afterword

“This beautifully written memoir about taking chances, living in Italy, loving a house and, always, the pleasures of food, would make a perfect gift for a loved one. But it’s so delicious, read it first yourself.” (USA Today)

For more Frances Mayes, including a tour of her now iconic Cortona home, Bramasole, watch PBS’ Dream of Italy: Tuscan Sun Special!

More than 20 years ago, Frances Mayes - widely published poet, gourmet cook, and travel writer - introduced readers to a wondrous new world when she bought and restored an abandoned Tuscan villa called Bramasole. Under the Tuscan Sun inspired generations to embark on their own journeys - whether that be flying to a foreign country in search of themselves, savoring one of the book’s dozens of delicious seasonal recipes, or simply being transported by Mayes’ signature evocative, sensory language. Now with a new afterword from Frances Mayes, the 20th-anniversary edition of Under the Tuscan Sun revisits the book’s most popular characters.

©1998 Frances Mayes (P)1998 Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, Bantam Doubleday Dell, A Division of Random House Inc. Classics Europe Travel Writing & Commentary Women Western Europe Feel-Good Memoir Italy

Critic Reviews

"An intense celebration of what [Mayes] calls 'the voluptuousness of Italian life'...appealing and very vivid." (The New York Times Book Review)
"Irresistible...a sensuous book for a sensuous countryside." (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)
All stars
Most relevant  
This is not the same story as the film . Not sure if the film was adapted , but nothing like it . Disappointing .

Not the same story as the film

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Frances' story is really lovely, but she is most definitely NOT a narrator. Using a professional would have made the listening experience so much better.

NOT A NARRATOR

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Frances Mayes can definitely write beautifully, but please, don’t let her narrate her own stories. I was unable to appreciate her wonderful description of Tuscany when all I could hear was her monotone very American accent. After 4 chapters I couldn’t bear it anymore. Definitely a book to be read, not listened too, unless of course you change the narrator.

Bad Narration

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I Agree with reviews struggling to listen to the drawling boring voice of the narrator

Should have read review first

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Would you try another book written by Frances Mayes or narrated by Frances Mayes?

If it was read by someone else or not like a robot... Maybe

Has Under the Tuscan Sun put you off other books in this genre?

No

How did the narrator detract from the book?

It was terrible. Robotic and not even decipherable or coherent at times

What character would you cut from Under the Tuscan Sun?

The narrator

terrible voice impossible to listen to. disapointd

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Just a droll… made me depressed.

Loved the movie and hoped the book would be a new revisit.

Horrid narration

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I just can't get into this book as the narrators voice is way to hard to listen too. This is the second time I thought I'd give it a go and still can't listen. I have been told to book was amazing but as I have no time to read I listen to books through this medium and I am so disappointed that I won't get a chance to listen to this book.

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