Tuscany - Things to read
Personal experiences of living in Italy
Tuscan
Living: From the Yorkshire Moors to the Tuscan Hills - Sarah
Frazer's (one of our previous clients) story of olive farming and
holiday lets in Pescia. From the C4 series.
Under
the Tuscan Sun - Frances Mayes. An American poet's view
of Tuscany and property renovation. We each see what we want to
see and Mayes sees a happy, but primitive, land of ancient olive
trees under a scorching blue sky, populated with jolly, but backward,
peasants who all want to be her friends.
Bella
Tuscany - Frances Mayes. Sequel to the above although around
50% isn't about Tuscany. No-one seems to knows why it isn't called
either Bella Toscana or Beautiful Tuscany. The Italian translation
is called Beautiful Toscana. I believe Italians think it's supposed
to be funny! Don't miss Amazon's review of this book!
A Small place in Italy - Eric Newby. English writer and wife
renovate a north Tuscan farmhouse in the 1960's. If you like Newby's
other work you'll like this one too. As a practical guide,
it's a little dated but as it's the one that convinced us to
buy a house in the area we have a soft spot for it.
A
Valley in Italy - Lisa St Auban de Teran. Another English writer,
this time restoring a ruined palazzo in Umbria. Again, if you like
other work by this author (we do) you'll probably like this.
An excellent read and while probably not hugely useful to anyone
considering buying a house in Italy, neither is it so far divorced
from reality as the works by Mayes.
The
Hills of Tuscany - Ferenc Mate. New Yorker and beautiful wife
renovate Tuscan castle. Like Mayes it's beautiful to read,
but bears little relation to reality, at least while sober.
Extra
Virgin - Annie Hawes - Learning to live in an Italian rural
community.
Ripe
for the Picking - Annie Hawes - The sequel to Extra Virgin.
Italian
Neighbours - Tim Parks. How to negotiate with your neighbours
and find the perfect local bar. Unmissable if you want to understand
how small town Italy really works.
An
Italian Education - Sequel to the above and also very highly
recommended. Contains an excellent explanation of Italian beach
life.
Reference
Italian language, life and culture - Derek Aust - In the 'Teach Yourself'
series. Brief, readable, cheap and accurate guide to Italian life
and culture
Blue
Guide to Tuscany - The best for culture providing you are happy
to read.
The
Time Out guide to Florence and Tuscany - For shopping and entertainment.
Italian
Course with Michael Thomas (CDs) - Teach yourself Italian with
ease and grace!
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