Chasing Cezanne : A novel

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Summary: A Fun, and Funny, Caper in the South of France
Review: If you like fast-moving and exciting action mixed with jet set characters, haute cuisine, and treachery among the fine art set in the South of France, then this book is for you. Peter Mayle has written another fun-filled novel that takes you on a merry ride from New York to the South of France. Characters include an honest and fast thinking photographer and his adorable assistant, a devilish magazine editor, and various amusing and interesting characters from a world most of us don�t know but are all too glad to visit for a time. The famous chefs who flavor the novel with mouth-watering menus and taste- tempting dishes make reading a savory experience as well as filling the reader with a desire to hop on the first plane to finer eating. Descriptions of restaurants from out of the way inns in the French countryside to the trendiest in New York City make the book a vicariou culinary experience par excellence. As for mystery and mayhem, there are fine art thieves and their accomplices, the relentless hit men who do their best to throttle the photographer and his string of good guys. All in all, this is a book that is fun to read, hard to put down, and that will make you long for sunny vacations with a bit of flare.

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Summary: Treachery and Haute Cuisine--Lots of Fun!
Review: If you like fast-moving and exciting action mixed with jet set characters, haute cuisine, and treachery among the fine art set in the South of France, then this book is for you. Peter Mayle has written another fun-filled novel that takes you on a merry ride from New York to the South of France. Characters include an honest and fast thinking photographer and his adorable assistant, a devilish magazine editor, and various amusing and interesting characters from a world most of us don't know but are all too glad to visit for a time. The famous chefs who flavor the novel with mouth-watering menus and taste- tempting dishes make reading a savory experience as well as filling the reader with a desire to hop on the first plane to finer eating. Descriptions of restaurants from out of the way inns in the French countryside to the trendiest in New York City make the book a vicariou culinary experience par excellence. As for mystery and mayhem, there are fine art thieves and their accomplices, the relentless hit men who do their best to throttle the photographer and his string of good guys. All in all, this is a book that is fun to read, hard to put down, and that will make you long for sunny vacations with a bit of flare.

Rating:
Summary: Fun, Charming
Review: Outrageously fun. A great little scam with turns and twists of an imagination run wild

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Summary: Subtitle: Peter Mayle takes a vacation from writing.
Review: Pales by comparison to Hotel Pastis. One wonders how the editor and publisher let this book get through the mill. Mayle must have been under a three book contract. The editor must have been distracted. If you must read the book start around page 180. You won't be missing much

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Summary: Different from his other work, but a fun read.
Review: Peter Mayle has written other books of his life in Provence, but this tale is a novel, complete with a hysterical plot, and, of course, meals that will make you wish you lived in France. This book is very entertaining, and a fun, quick read.

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Summary: Good Book, Good Time, Good Read...
Review: Read this book for a good relaxing romp through the French countryside. It's a good time

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Summary: Chasing Cezanne is a very silly book.
Review: Save your time and read "A Year in Provence" instead. This was a silly book - little characterizaiton or plot, with a handsome hero and a beautiful female lead, naturally. Is there any other kind?

Rating:
Summary: Not as good as 'Anything Considered'
Review: Still a decent novel considering the drivel out there nowadays.

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Summary: "Chasing Cezanne" Makes a Bad Impression
Review: Suprisingly, this is Peter Mayle's most pedestrian effort. Mayle's fans, of which I consider myself one, will (and have) devoured this offering on the reputation of the author alone. Unfortunately, we will all be left hungry. Strangely absent from "Chasing Cezanne" are all of Mayle's trademarks; captivating descriptions of wish-you-were-here settings, engaging characters, careful wit, comfortable pacing and curious, unexpected plot twists. I quickly got the sense Mayle was intentionally trying to avoid being stereotyped as "The Author of Provence" by inserting his characters in as many places that weren't the South of France as possible. This results in disjointed flow and contrived development. Reviews have charged Mayle of skimping on character development and dawdling on plot. I must agree. Further, the book ends as if it were written with the editor and publisher standing over Mayle's shoulder, tapping their feet as he hurredly tied together the (somewaht sloppily loosened) loose ends. Wait for the paperback and read it on the beach next Summer.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing after earlier books
Review: This did not measure up to Mayle's earlier novels. The chase & the locale were interesting, but Andre in particular was not a great character. It was fairly predictable and not as well written as some of Mayle's earlier adventures.