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Ще се видим на пиацата
В новия си роман Франсис Мейс ни отвежда из непознати кътчета под небето на любимата Италия
В „Ще се видим на пиацата“ Франсис Мейс ни представя една Италия, позната единствено на местните, която двамата със съпруга й са обикнали по време на кулинарните им пътешествия из тринайсетте региона – от Фриули до Сицилия. По пътя те търсят културните и историческите съкровища, които не могат да се открият между страниците на традиционните пътеводители.
В новата книга от Франсис Мейс, освен вкусни рецепти и полезни съвети за пътуване, ще откриете множество красиви и непознати италиански дестинации. Ето три от тях, които ви каним да опознаете, като се потопите сред страниците на „Ще се видим на пиацата“.
Азоло
Дори в Италия, която е изпълнена с очарователни места, Азоло се откроява. Докато преминавате през индустриализираната долина на Венето, внезапно започвате живописно изкачване сред кипариси и тучни поляни, след което пристигате в този непокътнат средновековен град, който изглежда като илюстрация от книга с приказки. Дори има порутена бяла крепост от тринайсети век, Ил Роко, кацнала над града.
Може би това, че тук през XV век е била заточена Катерина Корнаро, кралица на Кипър, Йерусалим и Армения, е поставило знака на изключителността върху Азоло. Принудена да отстъпи трона си на алчната Венецианска република, тя става владетел на Азоло като компенсация. Трябва да е било голямо падение, но тя приема поста си сериозно и привлича интелектуалци и художници в провинциалната си придворна свита. Дори и сега това наследство е видимо.
Лече
Лече е град за онези сто хиляди души, които живеят тук, а не туристически град. Повечето сгради са с богати барокови орнаменти, гравирани колони, подпиращи балкони, ограждащи врати и прозорци. Местният пясъчник, pietra leccese, е благодатен материал за гравиране на зверове, красавици, растения, медальони с цветя. Впоследствие се е втвърдил. Сега по него личат следите на времето. Точно в центъра руините на римски амфитеатър ми напомнят за дългата история преди пищната барокова ера. Открит едва през 1938 г., той все още не е напълно проучен.
Пиаца дел Дуомо – площадът пред катедралата, величественото сърце на града, е един от най-красивите в Италия. Извити стени със статуи върху тях се събират, а после се разтварят към огромното пространство, заето от катедралата с нейната шейсет и осем метрова камбанария, елегантния епископски дворец и други сгради, които изглеждат достатъчно значими, за да бъдат сцена на събития, влияещи на световната история.
Киарамонте Гулфи
Киарамонте Гулфи се огрява от сицилианското слънце от заселването на гърците тук през VІІ век пр.н.е. Този приятен град в днешно време опровергава бурната си история. Завладян и унищожен от арабите през 827 г., той запазва името, получено от тях: Гулфи означава „приятна земя“. Добавеното по-късно Киарамонте е името на човека, издигнал отново града след сриването му със земята през 1296 г.
Франсис Мейс е известна поетеса, ценител на изисканата кухня и автор на пътеписи. Особено популярна става с книгата си „Под небето на Тоскана“, която още с излизането си се превръща в бестселър и остава в класациите на „Ню Йорк Таймс“ в продължение на повече от 2 години. По нея е направен и едноименният филм с участието на номинираната за „Оскар“ актриса Даян Лейн.
Наричат авторката „бардът на Тоскана“. Домът й в Брамасоле е мястото, където е живяла най-дълго. С приключенски дух, ненаситно любопитство и завидно умение да се наслаждава на живота, Франсис Мейс не спира да пътува из цяла Италия. Нейните преживявания и впечатления са побрани не само в известната й трилогия, но и в редица пътнически мемоари, илюстровани справочници, няколко стихосбирки. Книгите й са преведени на повече от 25 езика.
А сега Мейс ни разкрива непознатата Италия в „Ще се видим на пиацата“.
В „Ще се видим на пиацата“ Франсис Мейс ни представя една Италия, позната единствено на местните, която двамата със съпруга й са обикнали по време на кулинарните им пътешествия из тринайсетте региона – от Фриули до Сицилия. По пътя те търсят културните и историческите съкровища, които не могат да се открият между страниците на традиционните пътеводители.
В новата книга от Франсис Мейс, освен вкусни рецепти и полезни съвети за пътуване, ще откриете множество красиви и непознати италиански дестинации. Ето три от тях, които ви каним да опознаете, като се потопите сред страниците на „Ще се видим на пиацата“.
Азоло
Дори в Италия, която е изпълнена с очарователни места, Азоло се откроява. Докато преминавате през индустриализираната долина на Венето, внезапно започвате живописно изкачване сред кипариси и тучни поляни, след което пристигате в този непокътнат средновековен град, който изглежда като илюстрация от книга с приказки. Дори има порутена бяла крепост от тринайсети век, Ил Роко, кацнала над града.
Може би това, че тук през XV век е била заточена Катерина Корнаро, кралица на Кипър, Йерусалим и Армения, е поставило знака на изключителността върху Азоло. Принудена да отстъпи трона си на алчната Венецианска република, тя става владетел на Азоло като компенсация. Трябва да е било голямо падение, но тя приема поста си сериозно и привлича интелектуалци и художници в провинциалната си придворна свита. Дори и сега това наследство е видимо.
Лече
Лече е град за онези сто хиляди души, които живеят тук, а не туристически град. Повечето сгради са с богати барокови орнаменти, гравирани колони, подпиращи балкони, ограждащи врати и прозорци. Местният пясъчник, pietra leccese, е благодатен материал за гравиране на зверове, красавици, растения, медальони с цветя. Впоследствие се е втвърдил. Сега по него личат следите на времето. Точно в центъра руините на римски амфитеатър ми напомнят за дългата история преди пищната барокова ера. Открит едва през 1938 г., той все още не е напълно проучен.
Пиаца дел Дуомо – площадът пред катедралата, величественото сърце на града, е един от най-красивите в Италия. Извити стени със статуи върху тях се събират, а после се разтварят към огромното пространство, заето от катедралата с нейната шейсет и осем метрова камбанария, елегантния епископски дворец и други сгради, които изглеждат достатъчно значими, за да бъдат сцена на събития, влияещи на световната история.
Киарамонте Гулфи
Киарамонте Гулфи се огрява от сицилианското слънце от заселването на гърците тук през VІІ век пр.н.е. Този приятен град в днешно време опровергава бурната си история. Завладян и унищожен от арабите през 827 г., той запазва името, получено от тях: Гулфи означава „приятна земя“. Добавеното по-късно Киарамонте е името на човека, издигнал отново града след сриването му със земята през 1296 г.
Франсис Мейс е известна поетеса, ценител на изисканата кухня и автор на пътеписи. Особено популярна става с книгата си „Под небето на Тоскана“, която още с излизането си се превръща в бестселър и остава в класациите на „Ню Йорк Таймс“ в продължение на повече от 2 години. По нея е направен и едноименният филм с участието на номинираната за „Оскар“ актриса Даян Лейн.
Наричат авторката „бардът на Тоскана“. Домът й в Брамасоле е мястото, където е живяла най-дълго. С приключенски дух, ненаситно любопитство и завидно умение да се наслаждава на живота, Франсис Мейс не спира да пътува из цяла Италия. Нейните преживявания и впечатления са побрани не само в известната й трилогия, но и в редица пътнически мемоари, илюстровани справочници, няколко стихосбирки. Книгите й са преведени на повече от 25 езика.
А сега Мейс ни разкрива непознатата Италия в „Ще се видим на пиацата“.
480 pages, Paperback
First published March 12, 2019
About the author
Frances Mayes
56 books1,893 followersFrances Mayes's new book is See You in the Piazza: New Places to Discover in Italy published by Crown. Her most recent novel is Women in Sunlight, published by Crown and available in paperback in spring 2019. With her husband, Edward Mayes she recently published The Tuscan Sun Cookbook.
Every Day in Tuscany
is the third volume in her bestselling Tuscany memoir series.
In addition to her Tuscany memoirs, Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany , Frances Mayes is the author of the memoirs Under Magnolia: A Southern Memoir; A Year in the World; the illustrated books In Tuscany and Bringing Tuscany Home; Swan, a novel; The Discovery of Poetry, a text for readers; and five books of poetry. She divides her time between homes in Italy and North Carolina.
In addition to her Tuscany memoirs, Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany , Frances Mayes is the author of the memoirs Under Magnolia: A Southern Memoir; A Year in the World; the illustrated books In Tuscany and Bringing Tuscany Home; Swan, a novel; The Discovery of Poetry, a text for readers; and five books of poetry. She divides her time between homes in Italy and North Carolina.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews
December 7, 2018
If you can get past the immense privilege on display in Mayes' love for expensive sit-down restaurants and plush lodgings, then yes, you will be charmed and transported by the descriptions of food, history, and Italian life. Better read one section at a time, rather than straight through -- as you would a guidebook -- SEE YOU IN THE PIAZZA would be a much more pleasurable reading experience if it contained photos, maps, drawings, and other visual support for her travels.
March 9, 2019
This is Mayes at her best. She takes us on a tour of Italy and little known places. They are places Mayes and her family have visited and enjoyed. It is chock full of travel tidbits, recipes and wonderful renditions of the sights and smells of Italy. It is not a book to be used to plan a trip and is not set up necessarily in geographical order. It's just places that Mayes has enjoyed.
While I was reading this, I wanted to book a trip to Italy, rent a car and spend six months travelling around enjoying the food and the ambience. This book is a wonderful introduction to Italy and can be savored for quite some time.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
While I was reading this, I wanted to book a trip to Italy, rent a car and spend six months travelling around enjoying the food and the ambience. This book is a wonderful introduction to Italy and can be savored for quite some time.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
June 15, 2019
See You in the Piazza is a delightful memoir by beloved author Frances Mayes, focusing on her travels throughout remote regions of Italy with her husband Ed, and sometimes with their 15-year old grandson, sometimes with friends. Our first trip to Italy was a month-long journey through Italy in a little red Fiat, a well-worn road atlas, and many guidebooks. This book brought back those days with their many travel tips regarding places to stay, favorite restaurants, regional wines and recipes throughout this lovely narrative speaking to these beautiful areas of Italy not frequented by tourists.
"As we drive into the Langhe, the rollicking knolls. . . . shine bright with brilliant green vineyards, every twig and leaf well tended. On higher hilltops, castle towns silhouette against the horizon. Tiny villages nestle in the dips of valleys, surrounded by regimented rows of nebbiolo grapes that will soon become the legendary Barolo or Barbaresco wines. We're moving through mile after mile of landscape painting."
"Called Chysopolis ('Golden City') in Byzantine times, Parma is now a snow-globe town--shake it and it dazzles--a seventeenth-century steel engraving of a city on a river, a place of music and opera, a solid market town, a stop on the antique via Emilia that ran from Rimini to Piacenza. And a major food destination because of--what else:--Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus the range of prosciuttos and other salume, and the reputation for a bountiful and varied table."
"A stellar lineup, as we find out during an easy, contemplative chance to experience each wine. . . . and, oh my, Saia, whose name is from the canal system for collecting water used by the Arabs centuries ago. Dark, bursting fruit, but with a ray of Sicilian sun in each bottle. That must be, as one swallow makes you think good thoughts."
"As we drive into the Langhe, the rollicking knolls. . . . shine bright with brilliant green vineyards, every twig and leaf well tended. On higher hilltops, castle towns silhouette against the horizon. Tiny villages nestle in the dips of valleys, surrounded by regimented rows of nebbiolo grapes that will soon become the legendary Barolo or Barbaresco wines. We're moving through mile after mile of landscape painting."
"Called Chysopolis ('Golden City') in Byzantine times, Parma is now a snow-globe town--shake it and it dazzles--a seventeenth-century steel engraving of a city on a river, a place of music and opera, a solid market town, a stop on the antique via Emilia that ran from Rimini to Piacenza. And a major food destination because of--what else:--Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus the range of prosciuttos and other salume, and the reputation for a bountiful and varied table."
"A stellar lineup, as we find out during an easy, contemplative chance to experience each wine. . . . and, oh my, Saia, whose name is from the canal system for collecting water used by the Arabs centuries ago. Dark, bursting fruit, but with a ray of Sicilian sun in each bottle. That must be, as one swallow makes you think good thoughts."
April 23, 2019
I must not be a true Italian loving foodie as I did not enjoy this book at all.....couldn't get past the first couple of chapters, skimmed some others. It seemed repetitive, 400 pages of restaurants, menus that sometimes made me cringe, endless small hill towns and museums. I loved all of her previous books, except for her last novel, Women in Sunlight. (IMO fiction is not her forte.) But I was left wondering, who this book was intended for, (lovers of obscure off the beaten path Italy with expense accounts?), and how many bottles of expensive vino can one woman drink! It must just be me, as all the other reviews are glowing.
November 1, 2018
I LOVE ITALY!!!! And until I can retire there in a few years, books like this help keep me sane.
What a wonderful travelogue of SO many places in Italy, of the sights, the people, the FOOD! You can almost picture the scenes, the smells and the tastes.
It's a long book, over 400 pages. The better to savor it slowly, reading one chapter at a time.
The only complaint I have, (and as this is an advance reading copy, maybe it will be fixed in the final product?), is that there were no photos. The addition of photos would make this a truly outstanding book!
What a wonderful travelogue of SO many places in Italy, of the sights, the people, the FOOD! You can almost picture the scenes, the smells and the tastes.
It's a long book, over 400 pages. The better to savor it slowly, reading one chapter at a time.
The only complaint I have, (and as this is an advance reading copy, maybe it will be fixed in the final product?), is that there were no photos. The addition of photos would make this a truly outstanding book!
March 18, 2019
From the author of Under the Tuscan Sun comes another beautiful book about Italy. In See You in the Piazza, Frances Mayes has written a travelogue, a cookbook, an historical tome. She lovingly describes Italy's people, art, architecture, food and wine. The recipes are very detailed and tantalizing. Each geographical area of Italy has its own style of cuisine so therefore you will find a variety of recipes. But what stands out is the prose. I frequently find myself reading passages out loud to my husband. The book is so well written that it needs to be shared. See You in the Piazza is a book to be owned because you will return to it time and time again and not just for the appetizing recipes but also for the pure joy of reading about Frances Mayes' love affair with Italy. Thank you to Crown Publishing and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 5, 2019
I know Frances Mayes from her famous memoir made into the movie Under The Tuscan Sun. Its been a long time since I read the her first book and I believe she is still living in Bramasole. Anyway in this fabulous travel memoir, she goes around different parts of Italy with her husband and grandson. I listened to the audiobook and this is a summary of the book in a nutshell; fabulous vistas, delightful food, supreme wines, important historical places and lovely weather. Who wouldnt just love this? I felt transported to the Italy of my dreams where you can hop around from town to town and just soak the culture. Frances biggest problem is whether to eat the horse meat or not? If you are an aficionado of everything Italian, you will love this book. Also, I appreciate that she doesnt dumb down the culture or the Italian language and people. Absolutely delightful book that put me a great mood and put a fire in me to want to visit Italy again.
February 24, 2019
Mayes brings the rest of us along on her beautiful journey through Italy. Her descriptions the the scenery and food are incredibly realistic -- even if her travels are well out of realm of possibility for most of us. But that is the glory of reading travelogues! Free travel without restrictions.
September 11, 2018
4.5 stars
Mayes brings her delectable writing style to the pages of this travelogue/memoir/guide for all of us who wish we could take two weeks to walk in her shoes. Italy isn't just a place but an attitude and way of living, something Mayes makes clear through gently describing the distinctions between one little town and another.
This is not a book you pick up with your map in hand to help you plan your trip to Italy so much as it is like a first date (or first date in a long time) with the Italian way to spend your day. Yes, she has the book organized in such a way that you could look up the province and town you want to visit to see her recommendations. However, she doesn't cover every little town (nor should she, as this isn't Frommer's) and she presents them in a well-organized tapestry of anecdotes of her experiences there. Mayes implies so much about what it means to be Italian and live like one without having to hold your hand to communicate it.
Read it because I have a feeling you'll learn how to appreciate Italy after you travel through it with her. Perhaps you'll even find a way to sit in a cafe around your own corner and ponder with peaceful quiet the way she can in Italy. You'll get both story and guide in this book. Thank you, Frances Mayes! Now I'm saving up for another trip to Italy!
Mayes brings her delectable writing style to the pages of this travelogue/memoir/guide for all of us who wish we could take two weeks to walk in her shoes. Italy isn't just a place but an attitude and way of living, something Mayes makes clear through gently describing the distinctions between one little town and another.
This is not a book you pick up with your map in hand to help you plan your trip to Italy so much as it is like a first date (or first date in a long time) with the Italian way to spend your day. Yes, she has the book organized in such a way that you could look up the province and town you want to visit to see her recommendations. However, she doesn't cover every little town (nor should she, as this isn't Frommer's) and she presents them in a well-organized tapestry of anecdotes of her experiences there. Mayes implies so much about what it means to be Italian and live like one without having to hold your hand to communicate it.
Read it because I have a feeling you'll learn how to appreciate Italy after you travel through it with her. Perhaps you'll even find a way to sit in a cafe around your own corner and ponder with peaceful quiet the way she can in Italy. You'll get both story and guide in this book. Thank you, Frances Mayes! Now I'm saving up for another trip to Italy!
November 13, 2020
I just couldn't.
I got about a hundred pages into it and had had more than enough by then.
This is the most self-indulgent display of wealth and priviledge I have read since the last book of Frances Mayes I read.
Rather than See You in the Piazza, this should be called I Will Show You My Five Star Hotel and Restaurant Receipts in the Piazza.
This reads as a thinly veiled way to make a bunch of tres riche jaunts with husband and grandson tax deductable.
I got about a hundred pages into it and had had more than enough by then.
This is the most self-indulgent display of wealth and priviledge I have read since the last book of Frances Mayes I read.
Rather than See You in the Piazza, this should be called I Will Show You My Five Star Hotel and Restaurant Receipts in the Piazza.
This reads as a thinly veiled way to make a bunch of tres riche jaunts with husband and grandson tax deductable.
March 18, 2019
I listened to this all day while mulching lavender and roses, feeling very italian in our temperate Californian climate. In the beginning I was charmed, transported, recalling my own holidays, but after hours and hours and hours the sameness was getting to me, not to mention I am a squeamish eater and was turned off over and over.... In small doses this would be enjoyabe, and she really has a way with words, but what charms me also repulsed me... I have read all her books, I find the older I get the more squeamish I feel about eating animals, and, as always, this book is centered entirely about culinary adventures.... I did enjoy it, when I wasn't feeling nauseous, but this is a book better read slowly and spread out over days to take in small languid bites....
March 19, 2019
I really liked this travelogue. The author starts north in Torino and moves south geographically instead of her actual chronology. She is very descriptive and tells some stories about their travels in many cases but in some instance just lists restaurant and places to go. I would have like more detail in those spots. I like that she has added recipes and plan on trying a few. This book makes me want to get online and book a trip right now. I also like that she included links to reading material related to the place so that I can get further information on interesting topics. However, I have two major gripes with this book. The first is a lack of a map of any kind. I know, I can go to google maps and look something up but it is tedious, time consuming and breaks the flow of the book. The second is a lack of photos. I wanted photos of some of the specific places or foods she talked about but I also wanted pictures of the finished product in the recipes. I think these are major flaws that hopefully will be fixed by publication. I’ll give it three stars now but would give it four of five if maps and photos are added. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
January 23, 2019
I am a huge fan of Frances Mayes. The first time I read Under The Tuscan Sun I knew it was, for me, a life changing book, and I was right. I fell in love with all things Italian because of her words and descriptions; I could taste the food she described and the scents she smelled; could visualize the details of her house and her travels. I’ve read every book she’s written since then, and was so excited to receive an ARC of her newest book on travel in Italy, See You In The Piazza.
I could never begin to describe each place Frances and her husband and grandson experienced. Once again, I was transported by her words and descriptions of places, faces, food, scenery, and experiences as the trio travel all around Italy, and not just Tuscany or Rome or even Naples. Off the beaten path to places I may have heard of in my reading, or not; places I had no idea existed. Her words invoke such imagery for me, and me long to travel along beside her and see the world as she does. Her knowledge and research of so many details of each place truly astound, invigorate and inspire. Thank you, Frances, for another opportunity to live vicariously through your experiences.
I could never begin to describe each place Frances and her husband and grandson experienced. Once again, I was transported by her words and descriptions of places, faces, food, scenery, and experiences as the trio travel all around Italy, and not just Tuscany or Rome or even Naples. Off the beaten path to places I may have heard of in my reading, or not; places I had no idea existed. Her words invoke such imagery for me, and me long to travel along beside her and see the world as she does. Her knowledge and research of so many details of each place truly astound, invigorate and inspire. Thank you, Frances, for another opportunity to live vicariously through your experiences.
May 15, 2019
**3.5 Stars
Okay. I finally (finally!) finished. There is a LOT of information in this book, and while it is written in a very stream of conscious style, it does *not* read as a travel narrative/memoir the way I wanted it to. I think that's probably why it took me so long to read -- I was trying to read from cover to cover, knowing it was hopping all over geographically, and that was just painful. I think this would work better as part of actual pre-travel research/preparation for a trip to the area in question.
Also, I'm not entirely sure the author's version of traveling is quite the same as a, ah, "normal person's" version would be, in terms of both insider connections and financial footing. However that level of privilege does make for interesting reading.
Okay. I finally (finally!) finished. There is a LOT of information in this book, and while it is written in a very stream of conscious style, it does *not* read as a travel narrative/memoir the way I wanted it to. I think that's probably why it took me so long to read -- I was trying to read from cover to cover, knowing it was hopping all over geographically, and that was just painful. I think this would work better as part of actual pre-travel research/preparation for a trip to the area in question.
Also, I'm not entirely sure the author's version of traveling is quite the same as a, ah, "normal person's" version would be, in terms of both insider connections and financial footing. However that level of privilege does make for interesting reading.
May 21, 2021
Италия е една от най-красивите страни в които съм била. Разбира се, не съм имала същата възможност като авторката, но дори на бегом , пътувайки от Венеция до Пескара , и още по на юг, не видях място , което да не ми хареса. Винаги съм харесвала езика и даже заради общуването бях надобряла много преди години.Мечтая да имам такава възможност и да мога да бъда на всички красиви места, които не съм успяла да видя.
Тази книга прилича на пътеводител . На мен обаче , не ми е интересно да чета, защото предпочитам да видя с очите си всичко това.
Тази книга прилича на пътеводител . На мен обаче , не ми е интересно да чета, защото предпочитам да видя с очите си всичко това.
April 3, 2019
I normally like travel memoirs - especially for Italy. But this one really dragged on for me.
May 15, 2019
While I typically adore armchair traveling with Frances Mayes, this one didn't really work for me. It felt more like a travel diary that was written in Frances Mayes's trademark lovely voice--but still, at the end, just her musings on the great places in Italy she happened to visit. A few included recipes made me drool, as usual, but were not accessible enough with local ingredients and cooking directions to actually try to make them at home. Oh well, I can dream!
It was enough to skim through this library book--since I've never been to Italy, I wouldn't even recognize whether a destination was a tourist spot or off the beaten path. However, I recommend this highly if you've actually spent time in Italy (friends Brad and Alyson, Lisa come to mind) and want more ideas of out-of-the-way places to visit and great places to eat and explore next time.
P. S. A funny anecdote: Hubby and I went to Station Park for date night after I'd just checked this book out. We sat down by the fountain and I was reading passages to him as we daydreamed about traveling in Italy. Suddenly the hourly special fountain light show began, and my reading was interrupted by an operatic soprano crooning Musetta's luscious aria "Quando M'en Vo" from Puccini's "La Boheme," a song I know well since I performed it in college. It was an absolutely perfect, delightful moment that this book will always make me think of--a highlight reel experience!
It was enough to skim through this library book--since I've never been to Italy, I wouldn't even recognize whether a destination was a tourist spot or off the beaten path. However, I recommend this highly if you've actually spent time in Italy (friends Brad and Alyson, Lisa come to mind) and want more ideas of out-of-the-way places to visit and great places to eat and explore next time.
P. S. A funny anecdote: Hubby and I went to Station Park for date night after I'd just checked this book out. We sat down by the fountain and I was reading passages to him as we daydreamed about traveling in Italy. Suddenly the hourly special fountain light show began, and my reading was interrupted by an operatic soprano crooning Musetta's luscious aria "Quando M'en Vo" from Puccini's "La Boheme," a song I know well since I performed it in college. It was an absolutely perfect, delightful moment that this book will always make me think of--a highlight reel experience!
September 5, 2021
This lovely travelogue made me want to eat everything and get on a plane immediately! This inspired me to travel with all five senses open and alive and explore the roads less traveled. Her love for Italy shines through and is infectious.
I read this digitally and if there were pictures, they were not included in my version. This really can’t be used to actually plan a trip logistically. May want to read with a map and google images handy.
Definitely recommend if you’re into travelogues and into Italy. How can I quit my regular life and spend months savoring all of my favorite place in the world?
I read this digitally and if there were pictures, they were not included in my version. This really can’t be used to actually plan a trip logistically. May want to read with a map and google images handy.
Definitely recommend if you’re into travelogues and into Italy. How can I quit my regular life and spend months savoring all of my favorite place in the world?
August 8, 2019
No story line, but a fun romp through Italy and its cuisine.
September 7, 2021
Things I did not like: the unaware privilege on every page, the descriptions of churches, the writing style, the fact that there were no visuals so I had to stop my reading flow to look up something every other paragraph.
Things I did like: recipes, and Italy herself.
I’d hesitate to recommend this book but it DID make me want to hop right back onto a plane straight for Fiumicino so 2.5/5
Things I did like: recipes, and Italy herself.
I’d hesitate to recommend this book but it DID make me want to hop right back onto a plane straight for Fiumicino so 2.5/5
June 6, 2019
HAD ME AT CAIO!
The author had me at “UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN” and has continued to seduce me with all her writings. Her newest is a gem, too, as it reveals more hidden treasures of Italy, places to visit and recipes to die for.
CITRUS, ARUGULA, ARIAS
“Italy, the endless surprise.... Will it be a swim in the October-cold sea at Carloforte on Isola di San Pietro in Sardegna? Or a plate of arugula dressed with lemon juice and fresh olive oil in Sorrento, when the taste wedded to the heady scents of citrus blossoms from trees layered in ascending terraces all around you? ....The mad woman performing Aïda arias in the fountain of Rome’s Campo de’ Fiori?”
LUSH VOICE
As you you can see, SEE YOU IN THE PIAZZA is penned in her lush poet’s voice with a knowingness that comes from living in the country for 30 years. È meraviglioso! 5/5
Pub Date 12 Mar 2019.
Thanks to the author, Crown Publishing and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.
#SeeYouInThePiazza #NetGalley
The author had me at “UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN” and has continued to seduce me with all her writings. Her newest is a gem, too, as it reveals more hidden treasures of Italy, places to visit and recipes to die for.
CITRUS, ARUGULA, ARIAS
“Italy, the endless surprise.... Will it be a swim in the October-cold sea at Carloforte on Isola di San Pietro in Sardegna? Or a plate of arugula dressed with lemon juice and fresh olive oil in Sorrento, when the taste wedded to the heady scents of citrus blossoms from trees layered in ascending terraces all around you? ....The mad woman performing Aïda arias in the fountain of Rome’s Campo de’ Fiori?”
LUSH VOICE
As you you can see, SEE YOU IN THE PIAZZA is penned in her lush poet’s voice with a knowingness that comes from living in the country for 30 years. È meraviglioso! 5/5
Pub Date 12 Mar 2019.
Thanks to the author, Crown Publishing and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.
#SeeYouInThePiazza #NetGalley
April 14, 2019
I am so sorry that I checked this book out from the library. This is a book to buy. Unlike a novel, Frances Mayes treats you to short snippets of her travels around Italy. See You In the Piazza can be picked up and put down without losing the thread of where she is and what will be next. It’s not a tedious travelogue. Ms. Mayes descriptions and impressions are seductive essays of the people, places and food in Italy. Because it was a library book I read it straight through to the end but I wish that I could have savored each trip separately, with breaks in between travels. If you can’t get to Italy, See You In the Piazza is the next best thing to being there.
October 26, 2018
This book is a bit of a departure from the other books you might have read by Mayes. It's a love letter to Italy, a journey through some of the lesser known regions and towns of la bella paese. She takes you beyond the hubbub of Venezia and Firenze, off the beaten path to Modena and Calabria and a slew of places in between. I love that she intersperses recipes throughout the book, lending both history and color to her selections. It's not so much of a guidebook as it is a book for the armchair traveler, a food lover, or for a true fan of Italy.
January 3, 2019
**I cannot wait for this book to come out so all the people I have told about it can read it.
Frances Mayes has a special talent. Yes, obviously she is an author of wonderful books. Not all authors however have the ability to describe things in such a way that literally slows down your reading...Why? Frances Mayes draws you in and plunks you down in the piazza with her. The reading slows because you are no longer seeing words on a page but are tasting the food, smelling the smells, hearing the sounds of the settings of her books...One word to sum up reading a Frances Mayes book...Magical.
Frances Mayes has a special talent. Yes, obviously she is an author of wonderful books. Not all authors however have the ability to describe things in such a way that literally slows down your reading...Why? Frances Mayes draws you in and plunks you down in the piazza with her. The reading slows because you are no longer seeing words on a page but are tasting the food, smelling the smells, hearing the sounds of the settings of her books...One word to sum up reading a Frances Mayes book...Magical.
September 25, 2020
I put this down after a hundred pages. I think you might like it more if you have traveled in Italy a lot and want to explore beyond the obvious. But there's not really any overarching story arc here. Mayes just travels with companions to various locations, eats a nice meal or two, comments on a museum or some architecture or a local food tradition, and then moves on. It all started to blur together for me. The approach left her halfway between a traditional travel narrative and a guidebook but not entirely satisfying on either account.
April 19, 2019
WTF did I just listen to can not rate to high on this audible hard to follow and if you don't understand Italian then you have no hope.... and sorry but Narrator Frances Mayes needs to lighten up in her story telling... Sorry but I got lost in Italy missed the turn off... could not finish the audible got to chapter 24 and gave up
June 3, 2020
I listened to a few chapters of the audio version. To be honest, detailed descriptions of food and restaurants did not hold my attention. I have been to Italy and liked it very much. But this person's descriptions of the place seemed too cute, too affected, and too upper crust. This book did not work for me, but it may appeal more to others with different interests.
October 9, 2020
Very difficult to follow. More of a travel diary than a book. Needs an editor. Musings of where she went and what she ate or what someone sitting with her was wearing, than a work that can can be followed. Do not recommend. If you speak Italian perhaps tolerable but if you speak Italian you probably won’t need this book.
March 25, 2021
A sad attempt by an author milking her previous work. Little more than stream of consciousness comments on where she went, what she did and what she ate with virtually no cohesive commentary.
Take a pass on this one
Take a pass on this one
May 11, 2019
Thank you to Crown Publishing for providing me with a copy of Frances Mayes’ latest book, See You in the Piazza, in exchange for an honest review.
See You in the Piazza, follows renowned travel writer Frances Mayes, as she tours the different regions of Italy. Mayes and her husband are American, but they own a second home in Italy and have fallen in love with the country. Mayes and her husband set off on a series of trips to discover and report on the best restaurants and landmarks in each region. On certain segments of their journey, which spanned over a year, they were joined by friends and other family members. The result is a love letter to Italy.
Mayes has a gift for lush imagery, especially her sensory descriptions of food and wine. Do not read while hungry! Mayes and her husband are definitely foodies and experiencing Italian cuisine is a huge focus of their travels. Although they do not shy away from experiencing local dives, the bulk of their dining is done at amazing five-star restaurants. I love to eat and experience incredible cuisine, but I seriously don’t know how they manage so many intense meals. As someone who has not yet (emphasis on “yet”) visited Italy, I was surprised by the regional differences in food and the variety of ingredients that encompass Italian cuisine. For those who love to cook, Mayes has included many recipes from the restaurants featured in her book.
Admittedly, See You in the Piazza was a slow read for me. I read it in small chunks and it took a few months to complete. it is long and written as a travel diary, which did not captivate my interest. It jumps between Mayes’ masterful writing and the vibe of having a neighbor tell you every tedious aspect of their last vacation. I love travel writing and I know that Mayes’ is respected in her field, but despite her gorgeous descriptions, I not sure that her style speaks to me.
I read an advanced readers copy, but I imagine that the published version will likely include photographs and maps, which would greatly add to the enjoyment of the book.
See You in the Piazza is a great pick for those who adore Italy or who have an upcoming trip in the works. Mayes provides much inspiration for places to visit and experience. It definitely made me wish that I could just jump on a plane and head to Italy!
Like my review? Check out my blog!
See You in the Piazza, follows renowned travel writer Frances Mayes, as she tours the different regions of Italy. Mayes and her husband are American, but they own a second home in Italy and have fallen in love with the country. Mayes and her husband set off on a series of trips to discover and report on the best restaurants and landmarks in each region. On certain segments of their journey, which spanned over a year, they were joined by friends and other family members. The result is a love letter to Italy.
Mayes has a gift for lush imagery, especially her sensory descriptions of food and wine. Do not read while hungry! Mayes and her husband are definitely foodies and experiencing Italian cuisine is a huge focus of their travels. Although they do not shy away from experiencing local dives, the bulk of their dining is done at amazing five-star restaurants. I love to eat and experience incredible cuisine, but I seriously don’t know how they manage so many intense meals. As someone who has not yet (emphasis on “yet”) visited Italy, I was surprised by the regional differences in food and the variety of ingredients that encompass Italian cuisine. For those who love to cook, Mayes has included many recipes from the restaurants featured in her book.
Admittedly, See You in the Piazza was a slow read for me. I read it in small chunks and it took a few months to complete. it is long and written as a travel diary, which did not captivate my interest. It jumps between Mayes’ masterful writing and the vibe of having a neighbor tell you every tedious aspect of their last vacation. I love travel writing and I know that Mayes’ is respected in her field, but despite her gorgeous descriptions, I not sure that her style speaks to me.
I read an advanced readers copy, but I imagine that the published version will likely include photographs and maps, which would greatly add to the enjoyment of the book.
See You in the Piazza is a great pick for those who adore Italy or who have an upcoming trip in the works. Mayes provides much inspiration for places to visit and experience. It definitely made me wish that I could just jump on a plane and head to Italy!
Like my review? Check out my blog!
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