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Continuing Frances Mayes' account of her love affair with Italy, "Bella Tuscany" presents the author now truly at home there, meeting the challenges of learning a new language and touring regions outside Tuscany, including castle towns, fishing villages, and islands. With fresh adventures and updates on the characters introduced in "Under the Tuscan Sun", Mayes also explores new themes in this wondrous corner of the world, delving into gardening, wine-making, and the experience of primavera - a season of renewed possibility. And Mayes reveals more simple pleasures from her Tuscan kitchen in a section devoted to recipes. In the sensuous, vivid prose that has become her hallmark, "Bella Tuscany" celebrates Mayes' deepening connection to the land and her flourishing friendships in a newfound haven of idyllic living.

Frances Mayes - widely published poet, gourmet cook and travel writer - opens the door on a wondrous new world when she buys and restores an abandoned villa in the spectacular Tuscan countryside. She finds faded frescoes beneath the whitewash in the dining room, a vineyard under wildly overgrown brambles - and even a wayward scorpion under her pillow. And from her traditional kitchen and simple garden she creates dozens of delicious seasonal recipes, all included in this book. In the vibrant local markets and neighbouring hill towns, the author explores the nuances of the Italian landscape, history and cuisine. Each adventure yields delightful surprises - the perfect panettone, an unforgettable wine, or painted Etruscan tombs. Doing for Tuscany what Peter Mayle did for Provence, Mayes writes about the tastes and pleasures of a foreign country with gusto and passion. A celebration of the extraordinary quality of life in Tuscany, UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN is a feast for all the senses.

Een tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog bedachte veiligheidsclausule ter bescherming van de Amerikaanse maffia dreigt gebroken te worden door een simpele moord op Sicilë in 1993.

Het jongetje Bram en het olifantje Modoc worden op dezelfde dag geboren. Samen groeien ze op, te midden van een bonte verzameling artiesten bij een klein circus. Er ontstaat een sterke band tussen de jongen en de olifant terwijl Bram tot olifantentrainer wordt opgeleid en Modoc langzaam de ster van de piste wordt. Binnen korte tijd zijn ze zo op elkaar ingespeeld, dat de stem en de gebaren van Bram voldoende zijn om de grote Modoc haar kunsten te laten vortonen. Dan wordt het circus verkocht en raken Bram en Modoc op drift. Hun omzwervingen voeren hen over de hele wereld en samen beleven ze vele avonturen.