Every Italy enthusiast has read Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany but here's a completely different perspective. True story from a British woman (Annie Hawes) who went to Italy with her sister and ended up buying a "rustico". It's a delightful story that has interesting insights into many of the cultural differences.

Just finished it and enjoyed it immensely. It's a much more personal account, more humor, better sense of people and place than UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN. It's a break from the seemingly endless books about Tuscany, too.<BR><BR>M.

EXTRA VIRGIN is set in Liguria ( forgot that)

Finished this last month and also enjoyed it very much with some reservations.<BR><BR>I loved many things about the book.<BR><BR>I liked the way the writer didnt feel compelled to include everything, which it felt like Frances Mayes did. I was impressed that she had seamlessly covered maybe 20 years without any effort or feeling of being rushed, in just one book. <BR><BR>I loved her insight into what to me seemed like strange behaviour of the natives, especially as her frame of reference as a British girl, is similar to my own.<BR><BR>But I did find that sometimes she could come over as a little patronising and there were a few passages where I cringed to think how these people would feel to read what she had written.<BR><BR>Also, I wondered, with all the invites to feasts etc she was invited to, and all the help she was given, whether her sister and her ever returned the courtesy or just scrounged off the friendly locals all the time?<BR><BR>But I thought she wrote extremely well and wittily and really enjoyed the whole book.<BR><BR>Did enjoy Frances Mayes a great deal but felt nothing in common with her, as a friend said, it was not something I could feel applied to me. I found Frances Mayes disappeared right up her own backside with her occasional philosophically slanted poetic passages but was otherwise fine. I particularly loved her descriptions of food, cooking and eating, I could see feel and taste it all. That was her strength for me.<BR><BR>Incidentally, have you read Driving over lemons (forget exact title)? In similar vein but Spain setting. I did not like this at all, mainly because I took an intense dislike to the author just from the way he wrote about the place and the people.

Kavey, Excellent comments! Have you adopted the philosophy on drinking (what, when and why?) Have you read Bella Tuscany? In this book the Frances and her husband travel about abit more. The chapter about their trip to Sicily made me anxious to go there. And explore the Etruscan tombs!

I've been recommending Frenc Mate's "The Hills of Tuscany" -- the house hunting is hysterical and he [mercifully] skips the renovation part. Well written, very sensual.

Yes, I also enjoyed The Hills of Tuscany. I just felt like it dropped off at the end because he felt like ending. It left me wanting to know more. One thing that rings true in each of these books is the amazing generosity of the Italian neighbors in each instance. I can't imagine something like that in my town.

Didn't understand the drinking comment but I am quite dense so do explain! I'll catch up eventually.<BR><BR>Yes have read Frances Mayes second book and did enjoy the way they travelled more.<BR><BR>Didnt enjoy the fact she felt she had to take us back to SF and her house and family life there.<BR><BR>Will look out for that other Hills and Tuscany thing too.<BR><BR>Am just starting on another Louis Berniere book. I read Captain Corelli first and then two of this others, which actually are much my favourites, he is soooo witty. One was Don Vivio and the Coca Lords (spelling first word??) and also The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts and am reading the third one in the sort of series but cant remember the name.<BR><BR>Have huge pile to read.<BR><BR>Kavey<BR><BR>PS Has anyone else read the Lemons book and what did you think?

For all the Rome enthusiasts, don't miss Alan Epstein's As the romans do. Great insider view of the most sensual city on earth

Is it just me or do any of you think the term extra virgin is a strange one. I always thought virginity an either/or experience. Maybe and extra virgin hasn't even thought of it????

I abandoned "Driving Over Lemons" about half-way through. I really wanted to like it, but quickly became bored. Too many sheep and quirky locals! <BR><BR>I've looked at "Extra Virgin" in the bookstore several times, but now will purchase based on all your recommendations.<BR><BR>Hated, hated, hated the Epstein book "As the Romans Do." It was just awful. One cliched and hackneyed insight after another about the Eternal City. <BR><BR>Really loved, and am rereading, "When in Rome," by Robert Hutchinson (I think that's his name) sort of a travel narrative about Vatican City. Very entertaining, funny and informative. <BR><BR>Of course, as an Italophile, I've read the Frances Mayes book, but she often comes off as a bit patronizing to "the Italians." And the way she dissected the foibles and bad manners of all her houseguests in the second book was just cruel.<BR><BR>Anyone have "Restoring a Home in Italy"? Heard good things about this one.

Agree with Sera about DRIVING OVER LEMONS; just didn't grab me. I did enjoy SPANISH LESSONS by Derek Lambert ( pretty sure that's the author). Good balance of humor and frustration and warmth.

On the other hand I loved "lemons" totally. I really enjoyed "Extra Virgin" and I thought "Under the Tuscan Sun" was just OK<BR><BR>I come from an agricultural background and it's just occurred to me that maybe I liked both Lemons and Virgin because of the amount that is related to farming?<BR><BR>Just a thought.