Discover the New York Times bestseller that inspired the film.

The perfect read for anyone seeking an escape to the Italian countryside. When Frances Mayes — poet, gourmet cook, and travel writer — buys an abandoned villa in Tuscany, she has no idea of the scale of the project she is embarking on.

In this enchanting memoir, she takes the reader on a journey to restore a crumbling villa and build a new life in the Italian countryside, navigating hilarious cultural misunderstandings, legal frustrations, and the challenges of renovating a house that seems determined to remain a ruin. Filled with evocative landscapes, delicious recipes, and colourful characters, Under the Tuscan Sun is a book to savour. It’s a love letter to Tuscany, good food, and the joys of starting over.

"What makes it special is the sustained note of joy in it; joy in the beauty of the Tuscan countryside, the sights and sounds of daily life, the physical labour involved in the restoration of this 200-year-old villa and the five acres of land that go with it." SUNDAY TIMES