Play Book Tag discussion

A Year In the World – Frances Mayes
Book on CD read by the author
3.5*** rounded up

Subtitle: Journeys of a Passionate Traveler

I was not a great fan of Under the Tuscan Sun , so I’m not sure why I had this on my TBR. But a prompt to read a travel book brought this one to the forefront and I’m glad that I decided to try it.

Mayes recounts her many adventures traveling across Europe and Northern Africa from her home base in Tuscany. This was not one great adventure, but separate trips she and her husband took over time. Mayes shares their experiences as they roam through the British Isles, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Greece, Morocco, France and other areas of Italy. Her passion for travel certainly comes through loud and clear!

I particularly enjoyed the way she wrote about food. I could practically smell and taste the dishes, and I was constant hungry for “more.” I also enjoyed the personal glimpses she gave of local citizenry or of fellow travelers. I was reminded of the adventures my husband and I had in his many years in international business; especially the surprise meals we had when we’d enter a restaurant and left the selection up to the staff. We never had a bad meal doing this and enjoyed some truly spectacular ones (even when we didn’t know what we were eating).

The audiobook I got from the library was read by the author, but it was an abridged version of the book. (There is a full-length audiobook version, narrated by Cassandra Campbell.) I’m glad I had the text handy to fill in the blanks. However, reading of one adventure after another became repetitive. I think this book is best enjoyed as a collection of short stories that one reads a few at a time, rather than trying to do the whole thing in one fell swoop.


LINK to my review