www.francesmayesbooks.com/books/
I imagine I was first introduced to this title like most people, by the movie staring Daine Lane. It remains a movie that leaves me enraptured with the idea of moving to Europe. Sometimes I daydream of Tuscany, but other days it's a lock in Scotland, or a cottage in the French countryside. It's a movie that leaves me jealous of Frances and her "creepy Italian trees". The book surprised me.
The movie is based on a memoir of a professor and her partner who vacation, repeatedly, in Italy and decide to look for a farm to buy. They find a run-down farm and fall in love with the property, their neighbors, the community and the lifestyle. The memoir does include friends and family visiting as well as a wedding. While the memoir lacks the dating drama, there is romance. You'll find the wall collapse scare as well as the Polish workers and snakes. What readers will find in the memoir that isn't as apparent in the movie is the recipes and discussion of food. Frances Mayes describes aspects of farming, processing, cooking and eating. She even talks about regional flavors.
If you loved the movie, you'll love the book. If you dream of extreme acts such as moving to another country, then you'll want to read this book every year or two. That's my plain.
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