WOMEN IN SUNLIGHT

Frances Mayes’ best-selling memoir (and the subsequent movie adaptation) Under the Tuscan Sun, published in 1996, brought Tuscany to the world’s attention, and tourism dollars to this romantic part of Italy. Others started dreaming of converting an ancient villa and living a life of ease, fuelled by the simple pleasures of food and wine in the beautiful cypress-dotted countryside. Several books later, Frances has now written a novel set in her adopted homeland. Although fictional, it still reads like a memoir as it follows a year in the life of three mature American women who move to Tuscany. Susan, Julia and Camille – all single due to widowhood or separation – meet at an open day for a retirement village. As their friendship grows, they decide they’re not yet done with life and agree to rent a villa in Italy for a year. Of course the charm of the region and the warm welcome they receive from the locals – including fellow American ex-pat writer Kit – sees everything fall neatly into place and they each discover strengths and passions that create enviable later-in-life awakenings. There is no gripping plot here, but the leisurely pace, coupled with copious poetic descriptions of Tuscan food and culture, capture the imagination and could well inspire your own foray into this region of the world.