The story of four American strangers who bond in Italy and change their lives over the course of an exceptional year, from the bestselling author of Under the Tuscan Sun. Don’t miss Frances Mayes in PBS’s Dream of Italy: Tuscan Sun Special! She watches from her terrazza as the three American women carry their luggage into the stone villa down the hill. Who are they, and what brings them to this … villa down the hill. Who are they, and what brings them to this Tuscan village so far from home? An expat herself and with her own unfinished story, she can’t help but question: will they find what they came for?
Kit Raine, an American writer living in Tuscany, is working on a biography of her close friend, a complex woman who continues to cast a shadow on Kit’s own life. Her work is waylaid by the arrival of three women—Julia, Camille, and Susan—all of whom have launched a recent and spontaneous friendship that will uproot them completely and redirect their lives. Susan, the most adventurous of the three, has enticed them to subvert expectations of staid retirement by taking a lease on a big, beautiful house in Tuscany. Though novices in a foreign culture, their renewed sense of adventure imbues each of them with a bright sense of bravery, a gusto for life, and a fierce determination to thrive. But how? With Kit’s friendship and guidance, the three friends launch themselves into Italian life, pursuing passions long-forgotten—and with drastic and unforeseeable results.
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Frances Mayes is a superb writer, weaving in descriptions of food, flora and fauna with sharp insights and a fascinating story that make you feel you are in her characters’ world, not on the outside looking in. To be savored!
This book is a mini-vacation to Tuscany with no money (other than the cost of the book), passports, or air travel headaches required. I should have known that the author of Under the Tuscan Sun would provide a lush, vivid portrayal of Tuscany that transported all five of my senses. What’s more, the characters are wonderful, and, as I approach 40, had many valuable lessons to teach about aging.
I really, really love this book. It may just be genius. I didn’t want it to end because I wanted to live in the world Mayes so evocatively created. She made me want to pick up and move to Europe (oh, if only I could!) Five stars aren’t enough!
Loved this book. It is about a group of women who find themselves at a crossroads later in their lives, meet, bond, and take new directions they never saw coming. Poignant and inspirational.
In her poetic prose, Frances Mayes tells the story of four strangers who bond and change their lives over the course of an extraordinary year in a huge, beautiful old house in Tuscany. As usual, Mayes paints a vivid picture of the Tuscan countryside – the food, the wine, the vineyards, the rolling hills, and the cypress trees and the change it brings to her deeply drawn characters.
What a pleasure to read a book about mature women! They all felt like my friends. I truly enjoyed their personalities as well as the richly detailed tapestry of the Tuscan countryside. It was like spending a summer in Italy from the comfort of my own home.
I loved the characters in this book! Brilliant!
This was probably the best book I have read this year! I loved the characters in this book, forging a new life for themselves not according to what everyone else expected of them! Loved it!
A fun read and nice to have some mature women as the main characters. A pleasure to read
I’m currently reading this and am fully engrossed in the rich characters and descriptive scene settings. I’m there, can feel taste and smell it all. Very well written!
Great story that moves along nicely. Makes you want to rent a house in Italy.
Loved it! I have 2 long-time friends and I kept picturing us living the good life with the 4 women in this book. I didn’t want it to end.
Excellent, fun, heartwarming. Such a good read!
It was very difficult, if not at times impossible, to know who was talking/in the scene. Everyone has the same voice, even the woman who’d died (or left years ago). I couldn’t keep the people and their people straight. Very frustrating, and I usually like her books, so it was disappointing.
It will make you feel as if you have been to Italy! The characters are totally believable. I tried to read it slowly to make it last, but I couldn’t put it down.
It makes me want to go back to Italy!
Wonderful story. Great evolution of characters. Amazing scenes of Tuscany. Very scenic with fabulous feasts.
Nice read
I loved this book- the descriptions of the Tuscan area & the foods they eat was so interesting.
I loved reading “Women inSunlight”. I loved watching the characters experience the beauty, language, food and people of Italy!
This book makes you want to live in Italy for a year!