Sunday, July 28, 2013

InSPIREd Sunday - in a Tuscan Village


Campanile (church belltower) in a small village near Villa Massei in Tuscany, Italy (2000)

click on collage to enlarge

I just finished reading Chris Bohjalian's The Light in the Ruins about a Tuscan noble family who becomes entangled with the conflict between the Germans and the Italian partisans in 1943 WW II that continued for ten years after with devastating results.  In 2000, I went on a garden tour of Tuscany and was able to stay in or visit many of the places in this novel--Florence, Pienza, several hilltowns, villas and farms.  One villa in particular--La Foce--served as the inspiration for Bohjalian's book.  La Foce was bought by Irish-American writer Iris Origo and her husband Marchese Antonio in 1924.  They farmed with help from the villagers and then during the German occupation La Foce was turned into a children's hospital and orphanage.  Origo's diary, War in Val D'Orcia, where she chronicles the war years and their efforts to help their village, provided the inspiration for the fictional The Light in the Ruins.

Come back tomorrow for Mosaic Monday where I'll be sharing photos of La Foce and the Tuscan countryside--if this brief tale has piqued your interest!
Linking to InSPIREd Sunday .

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10 comments:

  1. Elizabeth EdwardsJuly 28, 2013 at 10:32 AM

    i hope to see Italy one day in person ... gorgeous views. so amazing!! ( :

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  2. Jan n JerJuly 28, 2013 at 11:00 AM

    That is so cool to be able to identify the places in the book and say your were there. Such a gorgeous countryside.

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  3. MeggieJuly 28, 2013 at 11:06 AM

    What a beautiful place...

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  4. TexWisGirlJuly 28, 2013 at 1:09 PM

    really pretty scene!

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  5. Sally in WAJuly 28, 2013 at 1:35 PM

    I enjoy visiting places I have read about. Adds to the fun! Thanks for sharing a piece of Italy in InSPIREd Sunday. Have a great week!

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  6. mrsbearfootJuly 28, 2013 at 9:48 PM

    Such gorgeous scenery and magnificent church! Italy is definitely on my bucket list.

    Thanks for your visit and kind comment on my InSPIREd post.

    ~Lindy

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  7. donJuly 29, 2013 at 11:20 AM

    A fine shot of this picturesque city. A strong, church picture in it too.

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  8. Deborah Carr (Debs)July 29, 2013 at 5:05 PM

    I've been to Italy a couple of times, but I visited Sorrento. Tuscany looks so beautiful, I really can't wait to visit.

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  9. KarenBAugust 3, 2013 at 2:03 AM

    Sounds like a great book, Faye. I love it that you've visited the area.

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  10. UnknownAugust 13, 2013 at 9:44 AM

    I am hoping to see Italy in person one day as well. My grandparents are originally from Tuscany so that is why I have always wanted to go there myself. The family and I have been looking at some Tuscany Villa rentals to stay at in or around where our grandparents used to live, maybe even find their old house. Gong to Italy is something that we all have always wanted to do, so I am looking forward to the trip!

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