Rating: Summary: Encore Provence! Review: A beautiful follow up to A year in Provence. Continues on the hilarious insights into French country life. It inspires to the point that you want to brush up on your school french, eat baguettes and brie, and pack up en route to a new life in the south of France.
Rating: Summary: Light and fun Review: A good but not exceptional effort from Peter Mayle. Lots of fun, but a very light read. He obviously still loves Provence! One for the South of France travel fans.
Rating: Summary: Eh, not that funny Review: A series of pastiches of life in Provence. If you don't speak French, a lot will be lost on you. If you do because you have spent time in Provence, the characters will appear familiar.However, the tales are not that funny or even amusing. In addition, they're from the point of view of an Englishman, so it has a twist that at times really doesn't work for American readers (comparisons of school food in France and Britain, etc.) My wife read "Une annee en Provence" and felt the same lack of interest in this volume as I do. It is redeemed mostly by Mayle's talent as a writer. Some of his descriptions and meals are very, very well done. But again beyond painting the picture, it's not funny or insightful.
Rating: Summary: Toujours Provence Review: Another "le home run" by Peter Mayle. He makes the reader feel that he or she is right by his side as he discovers new restaurants, goes to market, or takes part in a fantastic experience tasting wines in a local cave. After two of his books I feel like I know the locals and could feel right at home in his village. His books are difficult to put down. I found myself looking forward to "going to Provence" for a few chapters every evening. Thank you Peter.
Rating: Summary: I thought this book was hilarious!!! Review: Don't ask but I read this book first and it's the second intallment in the series. I bought it because I was waiting at the airport and liked the cover. What a surprise that I actually found myself laughing at several of the chapters! My husband would want to know what was so funny, but it's just one of those things that to tell him, he wouldn't get it or see the humor. My favorite chapter and the one that still makes me giggle was the dinner date with Pavarotti!! You know, it really did make sense!! (will mean something only to the person who read the chapter) My best suggestion: BUY A FRENCH DICTIONARY. I found myself constantly looking up words. Enjoy!
Rating: Summary: The South of France at Your Fingertips Review: I actually read Toujours Provence before the first of the series, A Year in Provence, and loved it! I hadn't ever thought of throwing it all in and moving to the South of France but after reading this book it seems like a wonderful idea. Mayle makes even the frustrations in Provence sound romantic and wonderful. This is a great book to read if you are in need of a vacation but just can't get around to it. You'll be dreaming of vines, Pastis, wonderful food, and the French. Eh oui. A great travel book!
Rating: Summary: The South of France at Your Fingertips Review: I actually read Toujours Provence before the first of the series, A Year in Provence, and loved it! I hadn't ever thought of throwing it all in and moving to the South of France but after reading this book it seems like a wonderful idea. Mayle makes even the frustrations in Provence sound romantic and wonderful. This is a great book to read if you are in need of a vacation but just can't get around to it. You'll be dreaming of vines, Pastis, wonderful food, and the French. Eh oui. A great travel book!
Rating: Summary: Escapist fun! 4 1/2 stars Review: I am surprised and delighted to say that I enjoyed this even more than the first book in the Provence series. Perhaps the familiar, breezy writing and characters just transported me to a lush, easy life. I also think some of these stories are hysterical! From singing frogs to the aquisition of their new dog there is just pure joy in these pages. A great, quick read. Can't wait to go on to Encore Provence.
Rating: Summary: Escapist fun! 4 1/2 stars Review: I am surprised and delighted to say that I enjoyed this even more than the first book in the Provence series. Perhaps the familiar, breezy writing and characters just transported me to a lush, easy life. I also think some of these stories are hysterical! From singing frogs to the aquisition of their new dog there is just pure joy in these pages. A great, quick read. Can't wait to go on to Encore Provence.
Rating: Summary: Travelogue doldrums Review: I did not enjoy this book as much as others from Mayle, including A Dog's Life and Hotel Pastis. A year in Provence was also better. This one did not flow well and it seemed like I read many chapters that could have come from different books. Read his other books first.
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