Title: A Year in the World: Journeys of a Passionate Traveller
Author: Frances Mayes
First published January 1, 2006
420 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780767910064 (ISBN10: 0767910060)
Rating: 3.58
Overview
Frances Mayes, the bestselling author of Under Magnolia, takes readers on a journey of a lifetime in A Year in the World. This classic travel book celebrates the magic of exploration, the joy of discovering hidden treasures in unexpected places, and the thrill of discovering oneself in the process.
From her beloved Tuscany, Mayes embarks on an adventure to Spain, Portugal, France, the British Isles, and the Mediterranean world of Turkey, Greece, the South of Italy, and North Africa. Blending personal experiences with expert commentary on art, architecture, history, landscape, society, and cuisine, Mayes immerses readers in the vibrant cultures and everyday life of her temporary homes.
With its illuminating insights and heartfelt passion, A Year in the World is a must-read for anyone who loves to travel and discover the world around them.
About the Author
Frances Mayes has brought out a new book titled See You in the Piazza: New Places to Discover in Italy, published by Crown. Her latest novel, Women in Sunlight, is also available in paperback from spring 2019.
Together with her husband, Edward Mayes, she has also released The Tuscan Sun Cookbook. Her bestselling Tuscany memoir series includes Every Day in Tuscany, the third volume.
Frances Mayes is a prolific author, having written several memoirs, illustrated books, a novel, a text for readers, and five books of poetry. She splits her time between her residences in Italy and North Carolina.
Editoral Review
Frances Mayes takes readers on a grand tour of Europe in “A Year in the World: Journeys of a Passionate Traveller.” This 2006 publication spares no detail in exploring the varied landscapes, people, and cultures of the continent. The author, most known for her memoir “Under the Tuscan Sun,” approaches travel writing with an intimate passion, weaving personal experiences with an encyclopedic knowledge of art, history, and literature.
“A Year in the World” features twelve chapters, each taking readers on a month-long journey from Portugal to rural Turkey. The book is divided into four parts, mirroring the seasons, and each chapter starts with an itinerary complete with recommended sights, restaurants, and accommodations.
The book boasts stunning photography by Mayes’ husband, Ed Mayes, and includes hand-drawn maps that detail each location.
Mayes is a master of description and is able to evoke the sights, sounds, and smells of each location, making readers feel as though they are tagging along on her journeys.
She touches on the history of each location, whether it’s the Moorish influences in Granada, Spain or the Venetian architecture of the Dalmatian coast of Croatia. Mayes also has a keen eye for architecture and art, and her deep knowledge of both subjects shines in her descriptions of the cathedrals, museums, and public squares she visits.
Throughout “A Year in the World,” Mayes also reflects on the experience of travel itself. She writes about the freedom of being away from the stresses of everyday life, the joys of getting lost in a foreign city, and the thrill of being in a place where everything is unfamiliar.
Mayes also discusses the various cultures she encounters along the way, commenting on how they differ from her own in the United States, and how she slowly comes to understand their values and customs.
While Mayes’ writing is undoubtedly beautiful and immersive, the sheer density of information can be overwhelming at times.
The book’s more than 400 pages can take a while to get through, and some readers may find themselves feeling lost in the minutiae of each location.
Despite this minor flaw, “A Year in the World” is a stunning work of travel writing that transports readers to some of the most beautiful corners of Europe.
Anyone who loves to travel, whether it be in person or through books, will delight in this volume.
Rating: 4/5
