You probably know her story from the popular "Under the Tuscan Sun" movie. She is the author whom decided to travel to Tuscany and happen to do an impulse buy on a centuries old manor. It was a great story that I remembered her name when I went to a local bookstore.
The premise was the author decided to travel on small and somewhat off the beaten path from tourists. She had wanted to do that in the longest time but there is always an issue of not having time to do it. She and her partner (husband?) decided to pack up for a whole year and tour around Europe with leisure.
Halfway through the book, the narrative began on a boring stance once she began quoting from local writers on every place she go on to. Some of them I heard, some not. To me, the narrative had started on a pretentious tone. It's hard to relate to some of the verses that she chose to describe what she is feeling or her impression of the town she is in. I ended up skipping the rest of it. The only book that she might have mentioned that stuck on me was one written by the Sicilian duke. Also, I swear, she keeps on thinking on buying a house everytime she lands on a town that she likes. She didn't mention the word "budget", I guess it is not an issue.
There were also some good parts that made me envious. She seem to look at places that most locals would eat and finding absolutely the best specialty the place has to offer. She was able to describe the time and place with ease. And she doesn't seem afraid to go and try or eat on something new.
Now, not to be compared with Eat, Pray, Love. She is not travelling in search of enlightenment. It is more of trying to suppress a desire to put everything on hold and see the world.
Yup, it reason enough for me.
The premise was the author decided to travel on small and somewhat off the beaten path from tourists. She had wanted to do that in the longest time but there is always an issue of not having time to do it. She and her partner (husband?) decided to pack up for a whole year and tour around Europe with leisure.
Halfway through the book, the narrative began on a boring stance once she began quoting from local writers on every place she go on to. Some of them I heard, some not. To me, the narrative had started on a pretentious tone. It's hard to relate to some of the verses that she chose to describe what she is feeling or her impression of the town she is in. I ended up skipping the rest of it. The only book that she might have mentioned that stuck on me was one written by the Sicilian duke. Also, I swear, she keeps on thinking on buying a house everytime she lands on a town that she likes. She didn't mention the word "budget", I guess it is not an issue.
There were also some good parts that made me envious. She seem to look at places that most locals would eat and finding absolutely the best specialty the place has to offer. She was able to describe the time and place with ease. And she doesn't seem afraid to go and try or eat on something new.
Now, not to be compared with Eat, Pray, Love. She is not travelling in search of enlightenment. It is more of trying to suppress a desire to put everything on hold and see the world.
Yup, it reason enough for me.
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