“Under another Tuscan Sun”
June 11th, 2010
11 June, Wall Street Journal link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703561604575282892054989772.html?KEYWORDS=mayes
I admire Kate Bolick’s articles and am happy that she chose to write about our mountain house, and also about my good friend Fulvio Di Rosa’s project, the renovation of a medieval borgo in the mountains near Cortona. Included are slide shows of our house and Borgo di Vagli.
Another Italian jaunt of Kate’s: -Back to the Futurists: Italy’s First Avant-Garde Turns 100 [it's a 5-part series in Slate, so you have to click on each "day"]
Dear Ms. Mayes,
I just finished reading the article in the Wall Street Journal and viewing the pictures of your “new” Tuscan home. I wanted to share with you that movie is my absolute favorite and I have watched it many times. It was especially important to me after my own divorce.
I have a little townhome that I have tried to decorate in the Tuscan style. Some day I will visit that beautiful area and hope to meet you.
Thank you for sharing your life and home with others.
Cindy
P.S. I can’t wait for your cookbook to come out next year. I’ll be first in line for it!
Wow this is a great resource.. I’m enjoying it.. good article
Dear Frances,
I hope this letter finds you well and perhaps even in Bramasole at the moment. I wrote you many weeks ago about my travels to Italy for 30 days through home exchanging. You were so sweet to reply and then suggest that there was a “book in the making” with this kind of travel. The meeting of all sorts of people through slow travel and staying in people’s homes rather than in hotels that will not provided a sense of living here.
I am smack dab in the middle of my trip. I have had my Australian sister-n-law meet me in Rome and I’ve left my supportive husband to tend to our 3 kids (15, 13 & 4 … the 4 yr. old being my newly adopted gorgeous ethiopian daughter who was 2 when we met her and brought her home via our first trip to Italy.) I am so fortunate.
I am writing the book. That has been a dream for me to write. As I am taking a break from Motherhood and my life to take in the amazing experience of the Italian culture, food and meandering hills, I have chosen the title of my book to be “Intermission … My Italian Chronicles”. I am in an area for 9 days where Forbes Magazine calls the best place to live in all of Europe … Gaiole in Chianti. As I write, I hear the church bells, which reminds me how far I am away from Denver, Colorado.
When I am here in Italy, I am in a happy place in my soul. I know that you know what I mean. I think this will enrich my home back in Denver as I take what I love of this place and create more of it where I do in fact make my home. In a different life, I would do just like you … have a home here and there, to go back and forth to and vacate my brain as needed.
Your books are gorgeous and I thank you so many times for writing about what I already understand … the love if Italy.
Perhaps we will run into each other somewhere here in Florence or Siena or Cortona as you shop for your beautiful fruit and veggies for all of your gorgeous recipes.
Un grande abbraccio,
Lisa Wills
Gaiole in Chianti … for now.
http://www.my2ethiopiangirls.blogspot.com
lisa.champladder@gmail.com
Wonderful. I really enjoyed both the slide shows! Thanks for sharing the article.
Jeff
Ms. Mayes, I am a professor of English at the University of Delaware currently leading (for the second time) a summer program in Cortona. I am teaching two courses to my thirteen students: “English and American Writers in Italy” (reading list is “Daisy Miller,” “A Room with a View,” “Fra Lippo Lippi,” and the anthology “Italy in Mind) and “Travel Writing (reading list is “Under the Tuscan Sun” and a selections from travel magazines).
I was wondering if you would consent to meet with and answer questions from the students some time in the next two and a half weeks. They are very well-behaved and could meet anywhere in town. We are going to Venice June 18-20; taking day trips to Montepulciano and Pienza 6/24 and to Siena for the Palio 7/2; and they are traveling on their own for the weekend of June 25-27. All other days and times are available.
I am a fellow Broadway Books author–for my book “When You Catch an Adjective, Kill It: The Parts of Speech, for Better and/or Worse.” You can find out more about me at benyagoda.com and e-mail me at byagoda@udel.edu.
Thanks for considering this and for your splendid books!
Ben Yagoda
Ciao Ben, I know my editor already has responded to you. Just to say, I’d love to read your book. It sounds interesting to one who thinks the right adjective in the right spot is a thing of beauty!!! Frances
Dear Frances,
A quick “Thank you” for helping me through a great separation in my life. My significant other of 28 years.
I’ve always been a fan of your books and when I was dumped two years ago, I found solace in the book (Under the Tuscan Sun, of course!), the movie, the beauty of Italy and most importantly these two lines: “Any arbitrary turning along the way and I would be elsewhere. I would be different”. These two lines, taped to my computer at work and on a magnet on my fridge, were my mantra and instrumental to me moving on.
It took over a year, but the timing of my unexpected breakup put me exactly where I needed to be to meet the kindest, most giving man I could ever hope to me with!
I’ve been to Italy four times – Cortona twice! I am now hoping to start working with my new hometown of Cedarburg, Wisconsin and Corciano, Italy to establish a sister city project.
Again, my sincerest thanks. You were one of my “angels” helping me through a difficult time.
Kris Krajcir
Dear Frances Mayes: It feels presumptuous to address you by your first name since we’ve never met and, although I have read all your books (more than once–especially after a difficult semester), it’s sometimes nice to have that touch of formality! (I would think it a bit disconcerting at times to be greeted by total strangers as if you were lifelong friends.)
I read the Wall Street article with interest and you made a remark at the end of it about feeling differently when you are in the United States–that need to make plans, to plan the next step, etc., that seems to be absent from your life in Italy for the most part. (I would imagine your life in Italy isn’t as quiet as you would sometimes like, thanks to the notoriety of your books!) I am planning to join my wife in retirement in a couple of years and, perhaps foolishly, thought that retirement would bring with it the absence of feeling compelled to make plans, take that next step, etc., in my every day life. (Our plan is to move to the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina.) Your comment–since I know you have retired from teaching–made me stop and think about it a bit more. (I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks!) So many of my already-retired friends have very interesting, productive retirements without the pressures of going to business or an office, or of having to earn a living. Perhaps life as an acclaimed author simply has added that extra sense of pressure to your every day life in the U.S.–but it was interesting to think about it.
So much for my rambling thoughts. I have loved your books for the dreams they gave me–and also for helping me to remove the limits I had inadvertently placed on those dreams–and the thought of being able to absorb another culture so freely and without expectations is very attractive. (Our immediate plan upon retirement is to visit Tuscany with friends for an extended stay in the fall of 2012–and that’s a nice cry from life in New Jersey right now.) Best regards: Scott
Ciao Scott, I perpetually take on too much. Seems like retirement should leave you free to invent the day. Maybe its just that writers never retire–there’s always the lure of the next book! Have fun figuring out the next stage–Frances
I was so happy to see the article and especially the slide show. I just finished Every Day In Tuscany and was very curious about the house. It is wonderful, as I thought it would be.
Dear Frances,
I loved the pictures of the mountain home and totally “get it” for the need and desire to do it and to own a 2nd home in the same town. I couldn’t help but notice the beautiful iron bed in one of the photo’s from the slide show. Was that same bed that was used in the movie “Under the Tuscan Sun?” It reminded me of the scene with the storm and the owl… I loved Audrey Well’s homage to you, but your books, your memoirs give softly, a warm embrace that touch me in a way that the movie could not. Enjoy the summer.
Warm regards,
Rick
Rick–good eye! Yes, the bed is from the movie–and was a major character! Thanks for writing–Frances
Although I don’t personally enjoy traveling, I loved reading all your books. Looking at the pictures ‘In Tuscany’ was wonderful as it gave a face to so many of the people.
The slideshow was wonderful!
Blessings, Kay
Although I don’t personally travel, I loved reading all the books. Having all those pictures to look at ‘In Tuscany’ was wonderful, it gave faces to the names.
The slideshow was wonderful!
Blessings,
Kay
Dear Mrs.. Mayes,
I’am reading your book now . I recognize a lot of things about the live in Tuscany and it makes me always remember our litle place in Tuscany at the Borgo di Sogna, another of these marvellous places that Fulvio di Rosa restored. I remember you wrote about it in one of your other books .
If you see Fulvio one of these days , make him our kind regards!
Wishing you a fine stay in Cortona !
Marleen and Peter ( Belgium )
Dearest Ms. Mayes:
As a little girl, Roman Holiday was my absolute favorite movie of all time. It still is today. In 2003 I saw the wonderful movie Under the Tuscan Sun based on your extraordinary journey in life and I cried all the way through the movie. Little did I realize almost two years to the day (2005), I would be thrown into a bitter divorce from a nearly 12 year marriage. The circumstances were extremely similiar, he was a serial cheater for years without my knowledge because I was blindly in love. I was a virgin when I married and he moved me 3,000 miles away from my family. It was like being shot as you said. For six months I was truly depressed, then I thought of my dream of going to Italy and your movie. I summoned up the courage and in September of 2006 I went to Italy ALONE. I visited Rome (Roma) Florence, Tuscany, Pisa, Lucca, San Giancoma (sp?) etc. Seeing the beautiful buildings and countryside, along with The Wedding Cake building from your film in “real life” had my eyes wet with tears for days. It was truly the best 10 days of my life. I would have never ever taken that risk, that trip if I had not seen this amazing movie. I am sure you have heard this from so many people, but you gave me courage and hope. I tried limoncello, ate pasta and sauces and lots and lots of wine. I made friends for a lifetime. One day I hope to move to Italy because it truly felt like home. In any event, I hope to return in 2011 for the southern portion, yes the Amalfi Coast soon. The recession has made things hard, but I am working, back on my feet and still healing. I have learned also to love again without fear. I still have trust issues but I know that it will past. Sometimes it works out, but when it doesn’t, I have the courage to walk away from bad situations because I know now I deserve the best life can offer. Your book, your movie, your strength and courage taught me that. Although we may never meet, I want to tell you that this experience changed my life for the better and I will forever be grateful. When things were darkest and I wanted to simply die, I chose life instead. Again thank you for having the courage to write with honesty and tenderness and I am forever indebted to you. You have saved me about 1 million dollars in therapy (LOL) and I feel whole again. I bought the DVD of course and I pop it in whenever I have “blue” moments. God bless you and I wish you continued success. I wish I could upload pictures from my trip, but I do hope this email finds it way to you in your beloved Tuscany. Thank you for sharing it with me, with all of us.
Bella Sera and Bona Fortuna,
Ronda from Michigan
Ronda–great to hear that you went adventuring. Good for you. Thanks for the letter–Frances
I am an avid reader of almost any genre of books,but historical fiction I think, is my favorite after history in general. I read rather quickly. The last book of 700 pages I read in 3 days.I tell you this to give you an idea of my reader self.
It has taken me over a week to read the 311 pages of “Under the Tuscan Sun” which tells you how I absolutely devoured this book.I loved the exquisite writing, the internal examination of self, the language, history and the many challenges of place.
This book was passed on to me by another and I will cherish and savour it for a long time…..Thanks a bunch for this pleasure.
Hi Frances,
I have watched Under the Tuscan Sun over and over and loved it inspires me every time.
Now I have just finished ‘devouring’ you Every Day In Tuscany.
I would like you to know how that you have helped me to keep my dreams alive and on some occasions given me hope to go on!
Today I have finally done it!
I’ve gone onto the internet and found a property (which quite inadvertly) is close to where you are. I wonder what you would think of it? I’m so tempted to throw care to the wind and ‘do a Frances’! (don’t worry I have been known to do it before).
How I would love to meet you and all you beautiful friends.
I live in far away Tasmania and have anecdotes of my quite tumultous life written down all over the place. It’s not the writing so much as that by ‘taking a chance’ that we have the power to change our lives, which gives me hope.
After a horrendous marriage which I walked from in much the same manner as your movie (with vertually nothing) have managed to obtain two small properties and heal as I renovate. There seems to be something else pulling me now and its call is becoming louder. (Are there magnets in the Tuscan sunshine or is it some mystical power within the (quote)’creepy Italian trees’? (Please note I do not find them creepy at all).
Hence the reason why I finally said “O.K , do it”
We have many Italian immigrants in Australia and have always loved their culture and people. In fact I have often been mistaken for a Greek or Italian by these people! The only problem with that is I haven’t yet learnt to speak their language except my friends say I use ‘hand language’!
It seems almost ethereal thinking that I am sitting here in front of the fire writing to you (one of my inspirations) and hoping you may have time to write back.
Trusting you, Ed and all your lovely friends are well.
Cheers
Jocelyn
Jocelyn–I would love to visit your corner of the world! Tasmania sounds quite alluring. Doesn’t the wonderful writer Robert Dessaix live there? I love his books, especially Night Letters. Thanks for the kind words–Frances
Thankyou for your reply. If you ever want to travel here you are welcome to contact me. I would send you some photos of our lovely island but think it may clog up your blog-site.
regards
Jocelyn
Hello again Frances,
I forgot to answer your question as to Robert Dessaix. Yes, I believe he lives in Hobart, the main city nearest to the rural area in which I live.-Jocelyn
Jocelyn, if you ever meet him, tell him I’m a big fan of Night Letters and all his books! Frances
Review of A Year in the World By Frances Mayes…
We’re both writing about the same thing so we were wondering if you’d like to both put links on our websites?…