Title: Shallow and stiff -- a disappointment.
Product review: Here is writing about Tuscany that exhibits all too many of the worst aspects of travel writing. The author maintains a superior, snooty, "aren't I great" tone throughout. The characters in her book fail to come to life -- often described simply by their nationality, e.g. "the Poles" or their occupation. If you are really interested in finding out about Italy, I suggest that you buy both of Tim Parks' books -- "Italian Neighbors" and "Italian Education". Parks has a sense of humor and and a novelist's deft touch of character and description. You'll have more fun and learn more from a chapter of Parks than with the whole of Mayes' book. Indeed, when her own powers fail her, Mayes quotes Parks!
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