clairebearrich 's review for:

1.0

Okay, so I’m not even sure I’m allowed to review this book, considering I didn’t finish it. Not that I didn’t want to finish it, I really did. In fact, I hate not finishing books. It makes me feel guilty and sucky.

But I just couldn’t finish it.

It was so BORING.

I mean it’s all about the author’s journey: buying a villa in Italy and restoring it. IT WAS SO POINTLESS. I just didn’t care. I mean some of the imagery is beautiful and the descriptions are really quite lovely, but it’s dumb. I mean, Mayes relies so much on stereotypes (both about the Italians and her own Southern heritage, I mean, she should know better.) And she over-romanticizes everything. Buying sheets turns into this whole adventure where she imagines a young bride unpacking her wedding chest or something ridiculous like that.

I just didn’t care and I didn’t waste my time finishing it. I’m going to read something that I actually enjoy rather than spending my time trudging through some glorified DIY Network special.

1.5/5 sta