[.ca] Vanilla Beans And Brodo (ISBN 0743404114)

From Amazon.co.uk:
Traditionally, foreign writers describing a country adopt the outsider's point of view and focus on the more quaint and amusing aspects of the locals' lives. This is particularly true of Italy, where the more exotic side of the country is maximised and the lives of people treated as being less important. Not so in Isabella Dusi's fascinating Vanilla Beans and Brodo which takes the radical (and fascinating) approach of dealing with the day-to-day lives of those who live in the beautiful Tuscan Hills. In fact, the book is subtitled Real Life in the Hills of Tuscany, and the author (who sold all she owned to travel halfway around the world and settle in the exquisite mountain eyrie of Montalcino) makes the descriptions of the seasons and countryside as evocative as one could wish, but her real subject is the people. Finding it initially difficult to be accepted into this close-knit wine community, she gradually wins their respect and friendship. The experiences of the author in the village--as different from English life as could be imagined--are totally absorbing. But this is no mere pleasant pictorial--Isabella Dusi conjures genuine drama as summer approaches and wild storms threaten to destroy the grape harvest. We are given, en route, the bloody history of this medieval village, but what stays with the reader is the incident-packed lives of the inhabitants: a million miles away from most people's placid image of life in this most beautiful part of the world. If you want to live another life for a few hours, here's your chance. --Barry Forshaw

What a great read!:
I bought VB & B soon after it was released in Australia just before Xmas '01 and only just finished reading it now in Nov. '02.What a big mistake!!In that time I was lucky enough to spend nearly 3 months in Italy.Oh,how I wish I would have read Isabella's book by the time I got to Montalcino in June.We did spend several hours there.Nowhere near long enough.....and it was during siesta as well!What we saw of Montalcino barely scratched the surface. How do you think I felt reading VB & B?It has felt like I've been transported into Isabella & Luigi's life in this hilltop town.I feel like part of the family.She has written such a strong account of their Tuscan experience that I feel as if I've been there to share it all with them.Not only is it beautifully written but also wonderfully illustrated.Can't wait to return to Italy and to meet the "family " in Montalcino!

Vanilla Beans and Brodo:
If this is real life in the hills of Tuscany then this woman is dead from the neck up. Boring boring Boring. I tried, beleive me I tried to read this book. The writing is stilted to say the least. It's all romans and history, told in an even more boring manner than any history book I've ever read (and I've read some as a history major) There is a brief initial sortie into what an amazing super-business woman she was before and a hint at romanitic, free spirited youth, but forget it it's so short-lived in terms of pages. The rest of it, it's terrible. Don't buy this book. There are much better books out there, eg. The Olive Farm by Carol Drinkwater, Peter Mayle's books and even Frances Mayes but don't buy this book unless to give to someone really tedious and, well boring.

More Italian Dreams:
I am totally in love with everything Italian and with the Italian joy of life. I am planning to take a one-way trip when I retire and hopefully land permanently in some marvelous location such as Montalcino. This book makes us aware not only of the wonders available to us when we visit Italy but to how much we miss by not being prepared for our visits. VB & B is a fascinating book about a region and a primer on how to learn to adapt and enjoy another culture than our own. We so seldom slow down and learn in depth about a place before moving on to something else - this book will teach you how to absorb the atmosphere which most people miss. When you have finished "Vanilla Beans and Brodo", go on to another great book about learning to live in Italy: "Extra Virgin".

Meeting some of the characters in VB & B:
We found this enchanting book in our apt. when we arrived for a 3 1/2 month stay in a small town 10 K's from Montalcino in Sept., 2002. My husband was completely mesmerized and suggested that I also read it. I was immediately caught up in the life in our neighboring town. When visiting one day, we stopped in at the pharmacy (Salvioni's) and met Maurelia, the pharmacist's wife. She was one of the main persons is the story. After a half an hour conversation, she invited us to view the upcoming Festa del Tordo from their balcony (directly overlooking the parade route) and to meet the author, Isabella Dusi. The entire day only clarified our feelings about the warmth and truly embracing, friendly nature of the Italian people. A MUST READ!

Excellent portayal of small Italian village:
I have lived in Italy for the past six years and have read many books on Italian life. This is one of the best as it truly shows how Italians really live, think, and gives such a wonderful description of the historical and political aspects of a hill-top village that I was even tempted to immediately begin reading it again to be sure I did not miss anything. I recently visited Montalcino and came across this book for the first time. I do think a different title would have put it on the best seller's list as it is much better than "Under the Tuscan Sun" or others I have read. Well written in the descriptions of people and places. We are recommending it to our book club! This is a must read before visiting any hill town in Tuscany - but especially beautiful Montalcino. After reading this book, I cannot wait to return.