Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes (2003, Paperback, Reissue)

This is a lovely book about Frances Mayes' search for a house in the Tuscan countryside and the efforts of her and her husband to turn it into the home of their dreams.

Don't confuse this with the movie that came out starring Diane Lane, even though the movie is based on the book. Many dramatic liberties were taken in the movie and the only similarity was that she bought a house in Tuscany that needed renovations.

Frances Mayes has a fine eye for evocative details as she chronicles her experiences. You can relate to her clumsiness and confusion in dealing with the process of finding and renovating a house in another country, trying to acclimate to the local culture, and learning the local cuisine. You also find yourself under the spell and draw of this Tuscan villa with her. You want to go out and visit her; walk through the orchards and run your hands along the thick rustic walls; take in the smells of the cooking; and help her pick out economic specialities in the market.

There are funny and amusing moments that usually involve culture shock, particularly during negotiations to buy the house and trying to find reliable contractors for the renovation. Tuscans operate on a different setting where time is concerned that is both attractive and maddening for Americans.

It's definitely a privileged life and you can't help but envy her for it. When you read how much money was required to purchase and upgrade the house, you sense it was a good thing her book was a best-seller so she could pay for it.

All in all, the book is like a lovely visit. You learn to love her new surroundings with her and appreciate the fine way she expresses the experience. And after you put the book down, you sigh, and want to open a special savings account for your own villa in Italy.