queen_james2009's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
jlworley's review against another edition
4.0
Delightfully written memoir of the author’s first year after moving to his dream home in Provence.
sara_grace's review against another edition
4.0
Perfect. Joyous. I challenge you to read it and not start dreaming of your future home in Provence.
dmturner's review against another edition
5.0
i finally read it!
There is a genre of the Brit abroad, best epitomized by Gerald Durrell. Mayle is of the same species: Somehow, he retains his Englishness while happily socializing with the salt of the local earth. I loved the genre as a child, but as an adult began to perceive a condescension that made me uncomfortable. I finally picked up this book when I started considering a visit to my ex-pat brother who himself has retired to Provence. It’s a sweet book if a touch obsessed with wine and food, and the funny thing is my brother is experiencing much of the same relationship with home renovations in Provence as Mayle did.
There is a genre of the Brit abroad, best epitomized by Gerald Durrell. Mayle is of the same species: Somehow, he retains his Englishness while happily socializing with the salt of the local earth. I loved the genre as a child, but as an adult began to perceive a condescension that made me uncomfortable. I finally picked up this book when I started considering a visit to my ex-pat brother who himself has retired to Provence. It’s a sweet book if a touch obsessed with wine and food, and the funny thing is my brother is experiencing much of the same relationship with home renovations in Provence as Mayle did.
nlfrey's review against another edition
4.0
So now I want to move to France.
No, but seriously. This book seems to have stood the test of time quite well - over 30 years since it was written, it's still a delightful read. And it seems to have quite effectively awakened my wanderlust (as if my "wanderlust" ever went to sleep in the first place, lol...).
While very few of us will ever have a chance to buy a farmhouse in the French countryside and move in, I'd imagine there are more than just a few of us who certainly wish we could move to France and become a local. Consider this book your opportunity to vicariously live out that dream. I certainly did, and enjoyed every moment of it.
No, but seriously. This book seems to have stood the test of time quite well - over 30 years since it was written, it's still a delightful read. And it seems to have quite effectively awakened my wanderlust (as if my "wanderlust" ever went to sleep in the first place, lol...).
While very few of us will ever have a chance to buy a farmhouse in the French countryside and move in, I'd imagine there are more than just a few of us who certainly wish we could move to France and become a local. Consider this book your opportunity to vicariously live out that dream. I certainly did, and enjoyed every moment of it.
norab23's review against another edition
4.0
3.7 // Forever romanticizing a slow and simple life in the French countryside.
athena2023's review against another edition
4.0
Such a charming read about daily provincial life in Provence.