Under the Tuscan Sun, Frances Mayes

Book Review by Chris R
Grade 8 English
Bigelow Middle School, MA

Under the Tuscan Sun is deep with incredible descriptions of provincial Tuscany, but it does not have a deep plot.

Frances Mayes has clearly perfected the art of documenting what is country life in Italy, and making the reader have a longing to be there. However, Mayes also drags out her stories of settling into her villa and renovating it, with 280 - something pages of accounts referring to plaster, pasta, wrought iron, hibiscus, olive oil, vineyards, melanzane (eggplant), wine, basil and the balance between Tuscany and California. All of the accounts are delicious, but there are far too many of them, sitting upon pages that possess no plot whatsoever. Mayes tells of her vacation to small Etruscan villages, and describes every restaurant and wheat field that she sees in extreme detail. Some of her observations, which are not at all elementary, just abundant, are better than others. The recipes that Mayes includes in cook book context or simple description — they would make any person travel right to Brimasole to sample, or overindulge on the cuisine.

Under the Tuscan Sun is a light read, and not a book to read if one wants extreme adventure or a deep plot. On the other hand, few things measure up to life in Tuscany.

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