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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: July 21 2008 at 2:32pm | IP Logged
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I'm surprised I couldn't find this book while doing a search here: Tuscan Under the Sun by Frances Mayes.
I guess I'm even more surprised I haven't read it.
Has anyone read it or seen the movie?
Ever since Lisa hendey encouraged me to keep writing my Baked with Love column, I've been obsessed with reading food memoirs. And thoroughly enjoying them.
This one sounds scrumptious:
"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
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
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Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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Loren
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| Posted: July 21 2008 at 5:04pm | IP Logged
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I caught part of the movie on an airplane once and have wanted to see the whole thing ever since.  I didn't realize there was a book, but I should have known considering that everything else out of Hollywood is based on a book.
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MarilynW
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| Posted: July 21 2008 at 7:43pm | IP Logged
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Love the book, like the movie. But then I am a big Italy lover - spending a summer in an Italian Villa is my idea of paradise right now!
I would like to suggestEnchanted April - book and movie - heaps better than Under the Tuscan sun - love love love them - I think I may watch the movie on my own this evening as everyone but the baby is out with dh. Note that it is not a food memoir though.
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Natalia
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| Posted: July 21 2008 at 9:40pm | IP Logged
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I haven't read the book (didn't know there was one) but watched the movie. If I remember correctly the scenery was gorgeous but I didn't care much for the story.
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Jen L.
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| Posted: July 22 2008 at 9:34pm | IP Logged
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I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Enchanted April Movie. I didn't realize there was a book!
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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: July 22 2008 at 9:51pm | IP Logged
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I'm in luck!
My local library had the book "Under the Tuscan Sun" and a neighboring library has the movie and "Enchanted April" too.  I've reserved them both and when they come in I'm planning a relaxing "movie date" with myself. I doubt these movies would be to my dh's liking. 
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Cay Gibson
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Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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marihalojen
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Under the Tuscan Sun was a pretty movie but the plot and characters were irritating to me. Much to P.C. for my tastes and the whole "it takes a village" thing rather than a family makes my teeth itch every time. As far as food, I don't remember any wonderful foody scenes really, not like Babette's Feast or Chocolat are famous for, perhaps there's more eating in the book than the movie. And I should mention that I haven't read the book but Frances Mayes has another book out, A Year in the World, that my sister says is much better. It is about she and her hubby eating their way around Europe using that Tuscan villa as their home base.
Have you read A Year in Provence? I still remember the first line - The year began with lunch. - and that lunch included loads of French food deliciously described and pink champagne.  I enjoyed it very much, Cay.
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JennGM
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marihalojen wrote:
| Under the Tuscan Sun was a pretty movie but the plot and characters were irritating to me. Much to P.C. for my tastes and the whole "it takes a village" thing rather than a family makes my teeth itch every time. |
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I agree with your summary. I haven't read the book, saw the movie and had the same exact feelings.
Although I do so want a flowing white dress (and a figure) to look like her in that scene by the seaside.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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marihalojen
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JennGM wrote:
| Although I do so want a flowing white dress (and a figure) to look like her in that scene by the seaside. |
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I know what you mean, Jenn! So pretty... though she can keep her boytoy.
I'm always buying pretty dresses that just don't work well in my real world just because they remind me of something, all these empire waisted sundresses this year are totally Jane Austen to me but my dh and I were walking down the street the other day and he asked me why in the world all these girls were wearing maternity dresses? Darn it! There goes any hope of me wearing those cute dresses now, time to cut off the ones I have into skirts now.
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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: July 23 2008 at 8:43am | IP Logged
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No, I haven't. The description at Amazon sounds lovely. How did I miss all these summer reads? And, rats!, it's almost over. Just 3 weeks before we start school. 
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
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Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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Jen L.
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| Posted: July 23 2008 at 9:30am | IP Logged
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Under the Tuscan Sun is an enjoyable food book (and remodeling). The movie has almost nothing to do with the book. I enjoyed the book much more and there are recipes in it! (Yum!)
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Jen
dh Klete,ds (8/95),dd (12/97), dd (11/00), and ^2^ in heaven
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Carole N.
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JennGM wrote:
Although I do so want a flowing white dress (and a figure) to look like her in that scene by the seaside. |
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I am with you, Jenn. Especially the figure part! 
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 Carole ... in Wales
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Carole N.
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| Posted: July 23 2008 at 12:16pm | IP Logged
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I was not aware of the book, but from what you described, I could not figure out how it fit in with the movie. Sounds like the book is one that I would truly enjoy.
I do have the book Bringing Tuscany Home which is photography of the house they used in the making of the film. I haven't really checked it out, but it does not look like it got a great review at Amazon.
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Carole ... in Wales
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4Real Forums : Book Club
Topic: Under a Tuscan Sun
