HILL TOWNS audiobook

Another re-read of my all-time favorite author, and again it did not disappoint. Even more thrilling was learning of the backstory of it all - that Anne and Heyward did go to Italy for the wedding and honeymoon of their friends Cynthia and Cliff Graubart, and the story was loosely based on that adventure. Even better, on the Anne Rivers Siddons Fan Club page on Facebook, I was given the gift of this link that gives more detail, including Pat Conroy's role. He was living in Rome at the time, was the best man at the Graubart wedding, and also, identifies with Sam Forrest's character. Go to the midpoint of Chapter 4, though the entire article is amazing, especially if you love Pat Conroy: http://specials.myajc.com/exaggerated.... And his book is definitely on my list to read - not sure of how I missed it!To me, Hill Towns is sheer magic because of all of the vivid descriptions of the sights in Italy, the food I can taste through her words, the brilliance of the characters and the dynamics. Timid Cat and her alpha male husband Joe. The artist Sam and his put together wife Ada. Yolanda - clear and fresh when she drinks mineral water; not so much otherwise. Maria and Colin, the young newlyweds. I felt like I was traveling through Italy and seeing all that it has to offer. I love how it starts with Cat being so fragile and afraid and her character overcomes her fears and becomes so bold and brave. What can I say? I loved it and was saddened and surprised to see some low reviews. But everyone is entitled to their opinion, and this book will always have a special place in my heart and will always be one that I highly recommend.

Hills Towns was an enjoyable read. The book started in Tennessee and ended in Italy. Everyone seemed to change in Italy, and most of the characters would never be the same again. It has beautiful settings and vivid characters.

I really like Anne Rivers Siddons, and this is my favorite. This is another novel I read over and over. It's funny, heartbreaking, and most importantly, fabulously romantic without being cliche or fluffy. The author draws you so much into the setting, Italy in this case, that you'll feel like your sitting at a table on the Roman terrace watching the characters interact and you'll swear you can smell the garlic and the sweat. I liked this even more the Eat, Love, Pray.

This was the book that inspired Valerie and me to travel to Italy!!! The first Siddons book I read! LOVED it! I recommend it to anyone that is planning to visit Tuscany, or Italy in general.

Soon after beginning Hill Towns, I realized I had read it before. But kept reading because I knew they were going to Italy, and wanted to experience that again. Her descriptions of the scenery, plazas, churches, monuments, art, and neighborhoods were lovely. I had my iPhone handy to look up definitions of food and to look at pictures of places she described. An example, The Ecstasy of St. Theresa, a gorgeous painting that has significance in the story. Some of the characters, while quirky, were also annoying. And no human being could drink as much as these travelers did! Still, a fun read and I would recommend it.

A story about an agoraphobic woman who leaves her Tennessee mountain town for the first time in 30 years. She goes with her husband, a college professor at the local college and friends who are planning to marry in Italy on a whirlwind tour of the major and some minor cities in Italy. They meet a famous artist and his wife. The artist insists on painting our heroine. Much interaction among the characters as well as excellent character development. The characters evolve, some positively, others predictably. Mature southern chic lit. A great book to read traveling in Italy.

** spoiler alert ** I have never read one of Anne Rivers Siddons' books before. I got a lot of character development, which I like. The trip to Italy sounded, on the whole, more of a nightmare than a good time. There was a tremendous amount of drinking and sexual tension. The younger men came across as very immature, even though they were in their 50's, jealous and self-centered. That said, the book was interesting and hard to put down. If I had never been to Italy, and I haven't, this would definitely make me think twice. However, I look forward to trying another one of her books.

Although the genre is not a typical one for me (I fall well short of a goal of broadly scoped reading), I bought this book because of ARC's association with Pat Conroy, his glowing recommendation of her work, and her first-person tribute in Our Prince of Tides ("Conroy Redux") . At times I could not tell whether I was reading Conroy or Siddons, and that is the highest compliment I could give, that of being reminded of the genius of PC while reading ARC.

I absolutely love ARS books. In this one, her detailed descriptions of Italy are so important to the story, so take your time and savor them, or even reread them. It's got really interesting main characters, with the main one showing real growth. I borrowed this from the library, but I may purchase a copy to reread when I feel like a trip to Italy is in order.

A childhood tragedy has bound Cat to the mountains of East Tennessee and for over twenty years of married life it has been enough. Then an opportunity to visit Italy comes and Catherine world is turned upside down. The challenge of married life is but one part of the book. Rivers Siddons also treats the reader to a visit to the Rome, Venice, Florence, and Sienna.

I really liked this book, especially the way in which the author described the hill towns of Italy. The story was well told as well.

Really enjoyed it. Loved the descriptions of the various cities in Italy and the depth of emotions of the characters. Also appreciated how flawed they all were.

A single traumatic event from her childhood has irrevocably marked Catherine Gaillard's adulthood, striking her with an almost unconquerable fear of leaving her cloistered mountaintop home in Tennessee for thirty years. But now, in an effort to shake her fears and put the incident behind her, Catherine is embarking on a life-changing vacation to Italy with her husband Joe. As they make their way across the beautiful countryside of Tuscany with two other couples, Cat and Joe soon find themselves being pulled in separate directions, and the fabric of their marriage begins to unravel. And a journey that began as a carefree tour crosses unexpected boundaries, carrying them into the heart of their relationship, becoming the ultimate test of their love.I truly did enjoy this book. It was a little slow to get into at first but I give it an A+!

I don't know why I continue to read Ms Siddons. Verbose is an understatement, imagining every detail in every "scene" is disconcerting. It's easy to lose track of the story. I do like her look inside of people at various times of their lives and also the age range and type of people she examines. the language is presented as being natural to the character but I feel exaggeration in the southern demeanor. (personal experiences)and I don't like her use of specific swear works. we don't talk like that and so I know not EVERYONE does it.

I picked this up and only put it down twice before I finished it. It was like I was reliving my Italy trip all over again. All the places we saw in Rome, Venice, and Florence., Tuscany. It has everything, Art, Local, Wine. Much, much wine. Siddons must have been inside my head the whole trip to have written this book. I have read her beach books before, but Italy takes the prize. Such a good writer 👍

Hill TownsI loved the setting of the book; Italy is on my bucket list. I did feel that more of a connection could have been made between the title and the story line itself. The ending was a bit bland; everyone left Joe and Cat, they said / a few sentences, the falcon was flying and the end. I liked the book though because it was a nice, easy read after the deeper books I've been reading.