Memoirs of crazy childhoods are best delivered with a minimum of self-pity, and Mayes understands this. Mayes was "blessed" with a wonderfully dysfunctional family (what all writers wish for) and a childhood in the south (what many writers also wish for). The language Mayes, a poet, uses to evoke...
One of my favorite "mindcations" is "Under the Tuscan Sun". In my version, everything has the beautiful glow of Renaissance reds and golds. Even I am beautiful and glowing. Rustic, yet regal, my villa is filled with light, laughter, gorgeous food and great wine, good times and good people. Acclai...
A CLASSIC FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF UNDER MAGNOLIAFrances Mayes—widely published poet, gourmet cook, and travel writer—opens the door to a wondrous new world when she buys and restores an abandoned villa in the spectacular Tuscan countryside. In evocative language, she brings the reader alon...
A lyrical and enchanting and excellent book about travels in Europe. I was there with the author as she traveled, she is that descriptive and aware of the holy places. Her descriptions of starry nights brought me to my knees in awe as well as her attention to detail: architectural, holy places,...
This is a foodie book. It took me awhile to realize that. I was wondering why it had so much to do with meals and mealtime and then realized like a person who has had a big meal and is ready for a nap: oh, this is her entry into the Michael Pollan, Carlo Petrini genre. But it dances around many o...
—ALBERTO SAVINIO “The kingdom of Capri,” I say to Ed. He’s leaning on the ferry rail, taking in the first close glimpses of the mythic island’s sheer cliffs. “I’m listening for the Sirens’ song.” “You have to be a poet to imagine that,” I answer, looking around at the crude churning bucket we’re ...
Ed and I often return for the immense pleasure of seeing this pale stone town dramatically positioned against its hillside. We come here to venerate San Francesco and Santa Chiara, immortalized in their own churches, to see the Romanesque facade of Duomo di San Rufino, and to gaze at the Tempio d...