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129th out of 320 books
—
79 voters
Tuscan Holiday
Bestselling author Chamberlin sweeps readers away to beautiful Tuscany in this smart and tender novel about a mother and daughter whose Italian vacation changes them both forever.
Paperback, 352 pages
Published
September 1st 2008
by Kensington
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The title frustrates me. I am a purist. If something doesn’t impact the story, it shouldn’t be in the book. For example, if you are going to title a book “Tuscan Holiday” the local should be well researched and treated as a character in your story. As it is, the title recalls images of Diane Lane and Sandra Oh but pales in comparison by almost ignoring the atmosphere and spirit of central Italy. Sure it mentions the tourists sites...more
The title frustrates me. I am a purist. If something doesn’t impact the story, it shouldn’t be in the book. For example, if you are going to title a book “Tuscan Holiday” the local should be well researched and treated as a character in your story. As it is, the title recalls images of Diane Lane and Sandra Oh but pales in comparison by almost ignoring the atmosphere and spirit of central Italy. Sure it mentions the tourists sites...more
Let me start by saying something that might seem contradictory to my four-star review: The book definitely has its flaws, and I can understand someone not liking it. The characters are black and white: The daughter, the young person, is extremely naive, while the mother, the older person, knows everything. The snippets at the beginning of each chapter were tiresome and unnecessary. The book speaks condescendingly to young people and makes overgeneralizations about them. The daughter's choice is...more
I really enjoyed this book. It was so realistic that it was almost painful to read in some places.
The story switches back and forth between a mother and daughter as they embark on a trip to Florence. The mother has planned this trip as a college graduation present for her daughter, who is less than thrilled to have to spend two weeks with her mom and away from her fiance.
You learn the stories of these two women and where they are in their relationships with the men in their lives as well as with...more
The story switches back and forth between a mother and daughter as they embark on a trip to Florence. The mother has planned this trip as a college graduation present for her daughter, who is less than thrilled to have to spend two weeks with her mom and away from her fiance.
You learn the stories of these two women and where they are in their relationships with the men in their lives as well as with...more
This lovely novel of a mother and daughter both coming of age is a great read! Chamberlin has done a wonderful job on researching Italy as well as a mother/daughter relationship. One can see she has put her heart and soul into this novel.
Elizabeth Caldwell planned a secret mother/daughter holiday to Italy for her daughter’s college graduation. She is looking forward to spending the two weeks with Marina before her daughter starts working in her career. However, during those two weeks, Elizabeth...more
Elizabeth Caldwell planned a secret mother/daughter holiday to Italy for her daughter’s college graduation. She is looking forward to spending the two weeks with Marina before her daughter starts working in her career. However, during those two weeks, Elizabeth...more
I thought this book was an absolute delight. I read it as an ebook on my Kindle very quickly and found myself smiling and nodding throughout. It investigates the mother-daughter relationship, and as a mother of two daughters myself, I can only agree with every word. The author was spot on with her internal dialogue as Elizabeth the mother tried to decide how much to say, whether to step in or not as she watches her daughter head down roads bound to lead to disaster. As for the daughter, Marina,...more
Mar 14, 2011
Beth Bedee
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
contemprary-fiction
I thought this was a good, well-written book. It was a bit more reflective than I typically like my books. Both main characters, a mother and daughter, are looking back on their trip to Florence. There is a lot of discussion of feelings and not a lot of action. I felt that the book really captured a relationship between a mother and daughter.
Three things really bothered me:
1. At the beginning of each chapter were short letters or anecdotes about mothers and daughters. At first, I thought maybe o...more
Three things really bothered me:
1. At the beginning of each chapter were short letters or anecdotes about mothers and daughters. At first, I thought maybe o...more
I wanted to like this book far more than I did. However I found it frustrating in places. I wanted to smack the daughter. And the ending just left me cold. I wanted to know what happened when they got back from Italy. Also, I wanted more of Italy. It was still an ok read, but I wouldn't rush to reading it if you haven't already.
Upon her daughter, Marina's graduation from college, Elizabeth Caldwell decides to take her, and herself, on a trip to Italy. She hopes the trip will allow them more bonding time. Of course, the trip becomes much more than that as each woman, in different stages of their lives, discover new things about themselves, and each other.
I wanted to like this book, but a few big things held me back. One little thing that bothered me were the "Dear Abby" type letters that were written at the very beginni...more
I wanted to like this book, but a few big things held me back. One little thing that bothered me were the "Dear Abby" type letters that were written at the very beginni...more
This was a nice book to get away with. On top of the great story, there were pages of Italian history, art, and scenery.
A lot of reviewers were very hard on the daughter in this book, I kind of understand that. But a good character always makes its reader feel strong emotion; I think Marina's character did that very well in this book. She is strong-headed and naive, as well as impetuous. I thought it was what made the book work so well.
This book really took me away from my life for a few hours...more
A lot of reviewers were very hard on the daughter in this book, I kind of understand that. But a good character always makes its reader feel strong emotion; I think Marina's character did that very well in this book. She is strong-headed and naive, as well as impetuous. I thought it was what made the book work so well.
This book really took me away from my life for a few hours...more
I'll start by saying the story is a good premise. Mom and daughter take a trip, hoping to get closer and end up with major life changes. In fact, I'd even say the ending was good. However, the two charcters are so snippy, catty, and just plain bitchy that you really don't sympathize with either.
It also seems very apparent to me that Chamberlin is a very angry and bitter daughter and/or mother. The chapter quotes from a rather hateful advise columnist alternating with some horrid quotes about th...more
It also seems very apparent to me that Chamberlin is a very angry and bitter daughter and/or mother. The chapter quotes from a rather hateful advise columnist alternating with some horrid quotes about th...more
If you click on the book title and read the synopsis, that pretty much tells you better than I can what the book is about.
I'm not sure why I downloaded this book to my kindle. I did this a while ago and I no longer recall what I may have been thinking. I ended up being slightly disappointed, because the book was not what I was expecting, exactly. I guess it was just too real in portraying the problems that can be encountered in mother/daughter relationships. I think I may be been expecting a mo...more
I'm not sure why I downloaded this book to my kindle. I did this a while ago and I no longer recall what I may have been thinking. I ended up being slightly disappointed, because the book was not what I was expecting, exactly. I guess it was just too real in portraying the problems that can be encountered in mother/daughter relationships. I think I may be been expecting a mo...more
I was a bit disappointed with this book. The daughter had to be the most ungrateful and spoiled brat in the history of books. If my mother bought me a trip to Tuscany for her and I for my graduation from college gift I'd be thrilled. And to forget Mother's Day? Wow. Nice work. Although the story was somewhat of a fun read, I just couldn't get past how obnoxious the daughter was and how the mother did not say anything when she should have told her ungrateful brat of a daughter off, and while she...more
I enjoyed this book. I thought it was well written, and for once, the Kindle edition was well edited without stupid grammatical and spelling mistakes.
I really liked the ending and thought that both the mother and the daughter made the right decisions. I was a little irritated though that the mother allowed the daughter to spend so much time with her lover, especially when this was supposed to be a trip just for them. If I was in her shoes, I would have been very offended and hurt by my daughter...more
I really liked the ending and thought that both the mother and the daughter made the right decisions. I was a little irritated though that the mother allowed the daughter to spend so much time with her lover, especially when this was supposed to be a trip just for them. If I was in her shoes, I would have been very offended and hurt by my daughter...more
"Some people are afraid to abandon the bad because they've allowed it to define them. And when you're in recovery from a negative experience, you've got a wonderful excuse for not having a life."
I, along with many other reviewers, did not like the intros to each chapter--the answer lady and the quotes from various books. I found them distracting. I did like the book. I found Marina to be real and relatable. Yes, she was quite rude to her mother, appallingly so at times. However, I remember being...more
I, along with many other reviewers, did not like the intros to each chapter--the answer lady and the quotes from various books. I found them distracting. I did like the book. I found Marina to be real and relatable. Yes, she was quite rude to her mother, appallingly so at times. However, I remember being...more
A rare book that I read twice in about six months. A friend gave it to me when I was in Scottsdale and alternately reading in the sun and watching the Chicago blizzard I had escaped. Thought it was okay then. Nothing I woukld recommend. Then, since June was a really rough month for me, a friend suggested I read it. Had my copy in my eBooks so I read it again. Wish that life would unfold the way it dfoes in the story but it is almost a contemporary fairy tale. The writer has a great vocabularly a...more
Okay, first of all this was free on Kindle. And it's hard to quibble with free. But quibble I shall. First of all, what was the deal with all those advice column things at the beginning of each chapter? I kept reading them because I felt SURE that they must be leading somewhere... only they weren't. Then there was Marina who I really just wanted to SMACK. Of course by the end everyone grows up and gets along and the peasants rejoice. And, ought I to mention that I must have vicariously gained 15...more
This book is the story of a Mother and Daughter who go to Florence for each to have a coming of age story. I really like character driven stories, and emotional realization and development stories are difficult to write. This one was done well, and it wasn't enough. I realized about halfway through the book that the coming of age story can be the theme, but it can't be the plot as well. In this book it tried to serve both roles, and the book became sluggish and predictable as a result. Still, it...more
This was not a light read. This is the type of book that makes you examine your life and choices you have made. I was sad for the mother that she held onto a past relationship for so long and let it effect other relationships. I also felt bad that it took so long for her and her daughter Marina to truly be honest with each other. I was happy for Marina that she was able to establish a positive relationship with her mother, and also experience passion while in Italy. I was glad she realized the m...more
Tuscan Holiday is about a mother that takes her collage age daughter to Italy to bond. They learn much about each other, but more importantly they each learn about themselves. That part is very good.
I hated the beginning of each chapter. Alternately inane questions to "Dear Answer Lady" and snarky nasty reply which added absolutely nothing to the story. The other chapter starts were quotes, some which related, some that did not. Both were totally unnecessary and I would have given the book or 4...more
I hated the beginning of each chapter. Alternately inane questions to "Dear Answer Lady" and snarky nasty reply which added absolutely nothing to the story. The other chapter starts were quotes, some which related, some that did not. Both were totally unnecessary and I would have given the book or 4...more
This ebook is not so much about Tuscany as it is about Mother Daughter reletionships and their relationships with men or lack of and the realizations they had while visiting Florence Italy, a Graduation Gift from Mother to Daughter. An interesting book about the city and it's history. Very short chapters. It seems to just get into the story and the chapter ends and a new thought begins. I found it hard to keep my thoughts together. Not a bad book though.
I quite enjoyed tagging along with this mother and daughter on thier holiday in Florence. The scenery, the food, the galleries and the museums all sounded wonderful. I even enjoyed the sarcastic, snippy comments by the advise columnist and the commentary on motherhood.
Sure, the daughter was a pain in the ass for the first half of the book, but she was, of course, transformed by the experience of travel. (In just 2 weeks!) Well, that and a Florentine lover...
Sure, the daughter was a pain in the ass for the first half of the book, but she was, of course, transformed by the experience of travel. (In just 2 weeks!) Well, that and a Florentine lover...
Really chick lit! I always say I want to read a story about a retired English teacher with two daughters- well this was close. It's the story of an almost retired English teacher, her daughter and granddaughter who after the granddaughter graduates from college travel to Italy. What is supposed to be a bonding experience turns out to be life changing for everyone. This would have been a good book to read on your way to Italy. Lots of description of places and meals!
Why did I finish this poorly written and trite book? Waste of my time.
The stupid pieces from an "advice columnist" at the beginning of every chapter were just ridiculous. I stopped reading them after a while.
And where was the editor?....every time the mother gave the name of an Italian dish (in Italian) she would then say "or beef with pasta". The use of this "or" construction made me nuts.
The stupid pieces from an "advice columnist" at the beginning of every chapter were just ridiculous. I stopped reading them after a while.
And where was the editor?....every time the mother gave the name of an Italian dish (in Italian) she would then say "or beef with pasta". The use of this "or" construction made me nuts.
I enjoyed this light read. I empathized with both the mother and the daughter. It was great to see both women work through their own issues with the help of the other. It was also great to see the misconceptions they had about one another rectified. True, the daughter spent most of the book being a pain, but once she worked through her resentment issues it was great to see her grown, mature and come to realize the sacrifices that were made for her.
I was really disappointed in this book. It took too long to get into the heart of the story and by the time it did, I already didn't like the characters.
I think the daughter was a brat, was rude, selfish and so naive. The Mom they made out to be this tough woman when she was just a wimp in my mind. A real Mom would have spoken her mind and put that daughter in her place without living in fear of her daughter. At least that's how my Mom did it.
I think the daughter was a brat, was rude, selfish and so naive. The Mom they made out to be this tough woman when she was just a wimp in my mind. A real Mom would have spoken her mind and put that daughter in her place without living in fear of her daughter. At least that's how my Mom did it.
Very enjoyable free kindle book, especially because it took place in Florence. The story focused on the mother/daughter relationship and was beautifully written. The details about their two week holiday in Tuscany (museums, small cafes, art history) made me long to spend some more time there, even though I've been there twice.
I'm not a fan of this book. I found it to be very negative and redundant. I found myself skipping through paragraphs feeling like....blah, blah, blah! At the begining of each chapter was an excerpt from other books that i think were supposed to be a funny comment about being a mother/daughter, but just ended up being negative and annoying.
A mother and daughter go on vacation to Florence Italy. Both learn new things about themselves and each other. Two weeks making up nearly the whole book. It does make me want to take a different sort of vacation and just have lots of time to expore one city. Elizabeth and Marina Caldwell.
I really enjoyed this book. The story of a mother and her college age daughter taking a trip to Italy together, told from both of their perspectives was both about coming of age and a letting go of old ghosts. Although I find myself in the age range smack in the middle of the mother and the daughter, I found that I identified with both characters on some level, and really enjoyed seeing their stories develop.
I downloaded this book for free on Kindle. It was a good story. However, I could not stand the snippits at the beginning of each paragraph regarding The Answer Lady or other editorials on motherhood. If the author wanted to convey the message that mothers are to blame for everything that goes wrong in our lives, she was successful. I also thought the story ending was incomplete.
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Holly Chamberlin is a native New Yorker, but she now lives in Portland, Maine - the aftermath of stumbling across Mr. Right at the one moment she wasn't watching the terrain. She's been writing and editing - poetry, children's fantasies, a romance novel or two, among many other genres and projects - her entire life. She has two cats, Betty and Cyrus, and when she's not writing her hobbies include...more
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