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Summary: I'm Going to France
Review: I was introduced to this book by a friend who's travelled extensively around the world and visited France several times. He was really taken by the book because he always thought Provence was pretty special, but for some reason he could never quite explain why. This book, he said, captured the ambience and spirit of Provence like nothing else he had ever read on the subject. He thought I might find it a good read even though I've never even been to France.Boy was he ever right! This book is wonderful. The author writes in a way that makes you feel almost as if you know her. I like that. Best of all, the stories carried me away to Southern France, and the recipes--some of which I actually decide to try--brought the "magic" of Provence to my house. Now, I've got to go to France. I may even take up French . . .
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Summary: Charming, albeit imperfect
Review: Madame Lenard's book is really quite a charmer, and it is her simple adventures that outweigh her rather amateurish writing. Regardless of the imperfections of the book, it is still delightful and interesting. She writes from her heart and you can feel her love for her village stretch from the pages. Some may find the author a bit pretentious and full of herself, but I dismiss that as just part of being French. (She is much more French than American, having been born and raised in France.) Enjoy this book for its content and the author's affections and just dismiss the lack of writing prowess.
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Summary: Brings Provence to Life
Review: My wife and I discovered this book just before a planned trip to Provence. Yvone's tales of her lovely village of Ansouis inspired us to seek it out and it was everything she describes, down to the quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful Chateau. If you are planning a trip to France, or just dreaming of one, this book will inspire you. The stories are filled with humor and passion, and her love of the people and region are evident on every page--never patronizing or condescending. As a bonus, she shares recipes at the end of each chapter--we have tried several and they are delicious! We are looking forward to reading her new book, "Love in Provence."
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Summary: The Magic of Provence: Pleasures of Southern France
Review: On an impulse, during the final hours of a year-long stay in France, the author and her husband, who live in Los Angeles, bought a run-down house in a village in the Luberon mountains of Provence, gave vague instructions to a contractor for its restoration and left for home. When they returned the following summer, they found that, miraculously, the house had been renovated exactly as they wished. And so begins this enchanting collection of essays in which Lenard, the author of several textbooks on French language and culture, tells of a vacation home in a fairy-tale town where a duchess in straitened circumstances lives in an ancient castle, the townspeople are friendly and other Americans rush to find similar ruins to renovate. The village begins to work its magic when the husband of the duchess's niece, a deposed prince from a neighboring European country, acts as their welcoming committee. Soon, neighbors share drinks and conversation at the village caf‚, aged pensioners help Lenard water flowers in the square and her husband, Wayne, is invited on a ghost-hunting expedition to the local cemetery. Not everything runs smoothly: a gardener hired to care for their plants takes their money and never shows up; a cleaning lady turns nasty. For the most part, however, life in the village is delightful, and Lenard describes it with wit and affection. Adding to the book's appeal, tempting Proven‡al recipes end each chapter.
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Summary: A Totally Delightful Read
Review: The author makes the colors, flavors and warmth of Provence so vivid to the reader. I have never been to Provence but will definitely make the trip. I also will refer to this book again for the great recipes that were included and also to reread and savor the many neat stories shared by Yvone Lenard. I've given my copy away to friends just returning from the regiion to enjoy and will be purchasing another for my library.
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Summary: An enchanting trip to Provence.
Review: The purple spine called me to the shelf. Then the lovely dust jacket lured me further. By page 9 I was hooked. 5/16/00
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Summary: I am bewitched!
Review: The stories create a lively, colorful, inspired mosaic. While some are enticing, others deeply moving, the rest is quite humorous, and all are imbued with a simple profound authenticity. As for the style, I find it vibrant with a controlled harmony and nevertheless, full of verve. I feel it belongs among the palettes of the true artists of the Luberon region.
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Summary: Great fun, I felt like I was in Provence!
Review: This book lets you join in the adventure of living in Provence. You can practically feel the sunshine, and taste the wine. All the people seem like neighbors. I can't wait to try some of the recipes. If you can't travel to Provence, or are considering it, this is the book to read.
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Summary: Get it from the library!
Review: This book was light-hearted and definitely conveyed a feel for the small Provence town where the author lives part-time, with some interesting local characters. However, I agree with some of the more negative comments. Sorry, Amazon, but I'd suggest readers get it from the library, since it's not the kind of book to savor and re-read. If you like Provence, you'll enjoy it - like a whiff of lavendar - and then move on to something more substantial.
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Summary: I am bewitched!
Review: What a great pleasure, from laughter to tears, to read The Magic of Provence! This review comes after a second reading, which is a first for me. I feel as if I know both the author and her husband as good friends. My compliments for a delightful mental trip to France.
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