Rating: 
Summary: Fun, but repetitive of past books
Review: I have been a fan of Peter Mayle's earlier works, particularly the other "Provence" books. As with the others, this one was a fun, pleasant read, but I kept having the feeling that, during some portions, it was "deja vu all over again." For example, there is an entire section on truffles and truffle hunting, as in at least one of the earlier books. While there are some new vignettes with regard to this special fungus, a lot of it seemed repetitve. I almost felt that I would have gotten the same enjoyment by rereading one of the earlier books. Despite this criticism, there are some new stories, and the book was enjoyable, like its predecessors. I just can't give it a higher rating because of the lack of originality.
Rating:
Summary: Yes, Again!
Review: Mayle makes his third journey to Provence and the idea is wearing a little thin.Still a page turner but definitely lacks the "joie de vivre" of the first two books. Too much Mayle and not enough people of Provence.
Rating:
Summary: More Provence But Nothing New
Review: It is inevitable that Peter Mayle's new book Encore Provence will be compared to the first book in the series, A Year In Provence, as the better book. This expresses my feeling. Mr. Mayle is a good writer but he covers subject that were done in earlier books, namely truffles and olive oil. There are character portraits like Marius but not much that I can say held my interest. The chapter dealing with foie gras as a component of French longevity I found trite. I cannot think of foie gras without the inhumane methods that produce it. I was wondering how Mr. Mayle could eat it without thinking of geese having a rod rammed down their throats, sometimes causing damage to their neck and leading to infections. In short, a mixed bag of some of the old humor but also a book that had few new observations.
Rating: 
Summary: Charming Visit to France: As the Romans D0-its Italian Equal
Review: I read this book and many of Mayles others and longed for the European sensibilities; the sensual, amusing, delicious ways. Then I visited France and although it was beautiful I found it lacking in something that I couldn't put a finger on. Then I visited Italy and my life changed. Years went by and I finally took the plunge and moved to the place that captured my heart, bella Roma. Then recently I read the new book by Alan Epstein, As the Romans Do: The Delights, Dramas and Daily Diversions of Life in the Eternal City and he described exactly what it was I was feeling. If you didn't get enough with a Year in Provence or if you love Italy as much or more than France then you MUST read As the Romans Do.
Rating:
Summary: Charming Visit to France: As the Romans D0-its Italian Equal
Review: I read and re-read A Year in Provence and longed for the European sensibilities; the sensual, amusing, delicious ways. Then I visited France and although it was beautiful I found it lacking in something that I couldn't put a finger on. Then I visited Italy and my life changed. Years went by and I finally took the plunge and moved to the place that captured my heart, bella Roma. Then recently I read the new book by Alan Epstein, As the Romans Do: The Delights, Dramas and Daily Diversions of Life in the Eternal City and he described exactly what it was I was feeling. If you didn't get enough with a Year in Provence or if you love Italy as much or more than France then you MUST read As the Romans Do.
Rating: 
Summary: Audio Version NOT Recommended
Review: Cleverly witty, and a bit of a hodge-podge of information - it all fits. A magnificent armchair visit to a lovely locale. Smell the lavender! Taste the food! Meet the people! Travel the countryside! Savor the village life! This would not be a good introduction to audio books, though. While the French pronunciation is likely flawless, the reader takes the dry wit and humor and delivers it in a schmarmy and rather insulting tone in a rapid-fire manner. By the 4th CD I was ready to track this guy down and gag him.
Rating:
Summary: Encore, Monsieur Mayle! Encore!
Review: Ahhhhh. I just finished Encore Provence and I have to say it was well worth the wait! I have read each of Peter Mayle's other Provence books three times and I was quite eager to dive into his latest. I am a Francofile, having lived in Paris for six months in 1994-1995. I had the pleasure of visiting Provence for only a short time, but I fell in love with the area. Peter Mayle has a riveting writing style and I feel as if I am on his adventures with him. His use of French words in italics is an excellent device. I understand it can be a bit off-putting to non French speakers, but for me, it is a wonderful, short walk down memory lane. More than any other author I've read, with the exception of Papa Hemingway, Mayle has the ability to draw me into his books. Halfway through Encore Provence, I was on my way to the local liquor store to stock up on several nice bottles of Cotes du Rhone! I hope M. Mayle continues to write about the south of France for years to come. If not, I can always reread his trilogy each year. Bravo!
Rating: 
Summary: We expected more from Mayle
Review: "Encore Provence" is a letdown in the wake of Mayle's first 2 books on Provence. It's little more than a potpourri of events from his previous work. The only thread they have in common is France. A single entertaining episode involves a playboy butcher who went to Provence and seduced local wives. Their irate husbands murdered the meatcutter. And the whole thing went down long before Mayle even went to Provence. Finally, even though Mayle pulled his punches this time (perhaps to atone for past slights), he wrote with two pens. True to form, he was critical of the yokels in Provence. Yet, he managed to play it up as a paradise (especially compared to the USA) from which he'll never want to leave. It all seems as though Mayle wanted simply to crank out another book.
Rating:
Summary: Encore! Encore!
Review: I didn't give this book 5 stars, because nothing can beat "A Year in Provence". That said, I loved it! Peter Mayle perfectly captures the people, sights, smells and sounds of Provence. Encore even has the added benefit of acting as a guidebook (sort of). His first book sent me there and this one has me dreaming of my own encore! I also want to comment on the Reichl "roast". Having read Ms. Reichl's restaurant reviews, I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Mayle's bitingly funny viewpoint.
Rating:
Summary: JUST AS DELIGHTFUL
Review: I really can't understand why people didn't like this book as much as Mayle's previous works. I think it's absolutely delightful. Mayle works his special brand of magic and captures the essence of Provence perfectly. Some reviewers have suggested that Mayle write about other locales instead, but to me that would be like John Grisham writing a book that didn't contain a main character from the legal profession. Provence is Peter Mayle country and he describes it with genius. I can't wait until his NEXT book!
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