A review by uncommonlybound
Garlic, Mint, and Sweet Basil: Essays on Marseilles, Mediterranean Cuisine, and Noir Fiction by Jean-Claude Izzo

3.0

A collection of essays by the late Jean-Claude Izzo, this little book is essentially a love letter to is home city of Marseilles, France. Izzo, however, does not think of himself or his city as French, but rather Mediterranean. Izzo celebrates the diversity and chaos of a city whose people come from elsewhere. He describes walking down the street and encountering an array of smells, cuisine, and music all representing different places and cultures.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is, "Marseilles always exaggerates. That is her essence."

Izzo is best known foe his triology of noir novels that take place in Marseilles. This book also spends some time talking about the trilogy and their protagonist, Fabio Mantale.