This latest of Mayes’ books has just a peripheral mention of Italy, familiar to the many readers of her bestselling Under the Tuscan Sun. Most of the plot is set in one of the southern states of the US and in London. Each setting is portrayed with great affection by Mayes, while her characters often tell the story in their own words.
It’s a seemingly simple tale of love between Austin, a British architect, and Dara, a law student from North Carolina, who meet in a New York art gallery. They are deeply, madly in love and all goes well until their engagement dinner at Dara’s home.
Austin has had horribly unwelcome news from London so flies back there; and Dara cancels the wedding, not giving her family or friends the real reason. Austin’s news turns out to be tragic and his life is upended, with huge support coming from his sister and father.
Mayes could have ended the story there, with Dara settling into her law studies, and Austin immersed in his new life; but with some of their friends aware of the real reason for the wedding cancellation, eventually all is revealed to Dara’s family.
It is a fitting coincidence that Dara’s mother, Lee, has just finished writing a book about the Irish poet, Yeats, and she and her husband, Rich, have planned a trip to Ireland and England.
There are stumbles and fumbles in London, literally. A most satisfactory love story of our times.
Reviewed by Jennifer Somerville
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Frances Mayes is the author of the now-classic Under the Tuscan Sun, which was a New York Times bestseller for more than two and a half years and became a Touchstone movie starring Diane Lane.
Other international bestsellers include: Bella Tuscany, Everyday in Tuscany, A Year in the World, and three illustrated books: In Tuscany, Bringing Tuscany Home, and The Tuscan Sun Cookbook. She is also the author of two novels, Swan and Women in Sunlight. She has written six books of poetry and The Discovery of Poetry. The most recent books are See You in the Piazza and Always Italy.
Her books have been translated into more than 50 languages.
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