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A Year in Provence

by Peter Mayle

3.85 · rating details · 12,002 ratings · 1,071 reviews

National Bestseller

In this witty and warm-hearted account, Peter Mayle tells what it is like to realize a long-cherished dream and actually move into a 200-year-old stone farmhouse in the remote country of the Lubéron with his wife and two large dogs. He endures January's frosty mistral as it comes howling down the Rhône Valley, discovers the secrets of goat racing th

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Paperback, 207 pages

Published May 19th 2010 by Vintage (first published 1989)

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Community Reviews

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Feb 11, 2011

Leftbanker rated it

Recommends it for: People who wear fanny packs and read Conde Nast travel publications.

Shelves: travel

It’s sad to think that there are probably dozens of great books about people who have moved to France that were rejected by publishers so they could take this book, which is completely devoid of insights, and shove it down our throats. The book has a wonderful premise in which a British guy and his wife move to the south of France and begin a new life. I think most people who read this book didn’t need much more than that. It is mostly the tedious description of the work he does on an o...more

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Feb 01, 2009

Jen rated it

Shelves: psychadellic-memories

Hmmm...okay. I learned that:

1. With enough money you can relocate to Provence and buy a 200 year old farmhouse with mossy swimming pool, problematic pipes, and a wine cave backing up to the Luberon mountains. Wait, it gets worse!

2. Once you do this everyone that has even vaguely heard your name and Provence together in the same sentence will attempt to visit whilst you are having a hell of a time fixing the charming antiquated house and bicycling into town. Hard time...more

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Nov 28, 2010

JG (The Introverted Reader) rated it

Shelves: own, 4_stars, author_british, biography_memoir, non-fiction, read_in_2010, reviewed, setting_france

Peter Mayle and his wife finally decide to say goodbye to dreary British weather and move to sunny Provence in France. This book tells about their experiences living in Provence, from the colorful locals to the excellent food to the workmen who come and go like forces of nature.

This book had me ready to go on vacation in Provence. Notice that I don't say "move to Provence." I would starve. All those lovingly written descriptions of French food left me cold. I could survi...more

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May 04, 2011

Dennis rated it

· review of another edition

J'adore the English sense of humor. With stiff upper lip and wry observation sprinkled with warm affection, Englishman Peter Mayle embraces a cadre of colorful characters inhabiting the warmer south of France in this memoir documenting his first year as a new permanent resident relocated from Britain to the Lubéron region of Provence.

A Year In Provence is suitably divided into twelve chapters, each devoted to one month, January through December, staging the progress of renovations o...moreJ'adore the English sense of humor. With stiff upper lip and wry observation sprinkled with warm affection, Englishman Peter Mayle embraces a cadre of colorful characters inhabiting the warmer south of France in this memoir documenting his first year as a new permanent resident relocated from Britain to the Lubéron region of Provence.

A Year In Provence is suitably divided into twelve chapters, each devoted to one month, January through December, staging the progress of renovations on Peter and Madame’s newly purchased two hundred year old home. Over the course of the year it becomes clear that here time is measured in seasons, not days, and that the tempo in Provence would not change for newcomers. A project as simple as moving an antique concrete planter into the garden, for example, is not something that can be arranged overnight. “There would be visits of inspection, drinks, heated arguments. Dates would be fixed, and then forgotten. Shoulders would be shrugged and time would pass by.”

The author has a special penchant for observing human nature and describing it both with humor and heart. Lubéron country folk can be suspicious of visitors from throughout Europe who descend upon the Côte d’Azur in the summer months, including German campers, Belgian road hogs, Swiss hotel dwellers, and the British with their notoriously weak stomachs and plumbing complaints; but the Provençal people are warm, amiable, and all too eager to ensure their friends are well fed. The absolute joy of Provence is the food and free flowing local wine, which refreshes even the most curious of exchanges such as unexpected house calls made by traveling Oriental rug salesmen or visits paid by French bureaucrats at Christmastime to hint for annual tips.

These pages are peppered with French, “Voilà!” “Oh là là,” “Allez,” which enhances the feel for a foreigner’s life in France as well as doubling as a grammar in simple and useful phrases to those readers who are sure to add Provence to their must-see list. This account is often laugh-out-loud hilarious and is every bit as savory as the much sought after and highly prized black Périgord truffles grown only in this region.(less)

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Jun 23, 2008

Catherine rated it

Recommends it for: People who want to go to France but can't afford a plane ticket.

Recommended to Catherine by: My mother-in-law.

Shelves: fiction

A Year in Provence is a book about a couple who decides to leave their every-day-life behind and begin a new life together in Provence. For those of you who don't know what Provence is, it's kind of like Tuscany meets France, but better. After reading this book, I truly hope some day Mike and I can enjoy a few days in Provence together.

The book was divided into twelve chapters by month. It was a very easy read and often made me hungry as much of the story is about French food. Unfort...moreA Year in Provence is a book about a couple who decides to leave their every-day-life behind and begin a new life together in Provence. For those of you who don't know what Provence is, it's kind of like Tuscany meets France, but better. After reading this book, I truly hope some day Mike and I can enjoy a few days in Provence together.

The book was divided into twelve chapters by month. It was a very easy read and often made me hungry as much of the story is about French food. Unfortunately, I found myself skimming over the parts about wine as I don't drink wine and (although his descriptions are very good) I think wine sounds pretty boring.

The problem I had with this book was that at times it felt like there was no beginning, middle or end. To me it seemed the book ended the same way it started.

I thought that the character was criticizing all of the tourists, however, he was rather new and foreign to Provence so I thought he should also be careful calling the kettle black. At one point in the book, the main character is complaining that it's hard to have company come because while your company is on vacation, he still had to carry out every day life. He claimed it was always hard to get things done with company in town because they expected you to play with them the entire time when in reality, you have things to accomplish. This would be a valid argument except for the fact that the English couple is actually quite lazy. They pay someone else to re-do their kitchen and to take care of their garden. The majority of their day is spent at the market, in the pool sipping wine or out at a fantastic restaurant. I had a hard time understanding exactly what they thought their company was impairing them from accomplishing (unless watching paint dry was on their to-do list). I think the real issue was that they were so much enjoying their time to themselves in their own part of Provence that they didn't like sharing their piece of Provence with people from their old life. English friends coming to visit only made them realize that they were English and not French.

My last beef about the book is that if you step back, it's simply a diary of their home remodel. It should have focused less on this as the story of the remodel took away from the relaxing vacation I was taking inside this book.

I think if I had this same life in Provence I would eventually get bored and fat. The characters never exercise but live from meal to meal. Although French people take their food seriously, I am sure they are more active than this English couple because they manage to take in all the calories but not get large. (I haven't seen very many large French people).

This book would have been perfect if it included an appendix with some yummy recipes. I found myself closing the book and wanting to go buy some delicious cheeses, big grapes and Fresh warm bread (warm and fluffy on the inside, crisp and delish on the outside.).

All in all, I gave this book a B-. Reading it took me to Provence in my own little escape. The descriptions of the food and the culture were entertaining and rather accurate. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a relaxing, easy and dreamy summer read. A great book to read if you can't afford to go to France this summer and are still looking for an escape.(less)

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Nov 28, 2007

Maria rated it

Shelves: nonfiction, book-club

3.5 stars.

Well, this was a very charming read. The whole "o hay we moved 2 provence, awesome rite?" thing wasn't nearly as obnoxious as I thought it was going to be, although I still think these travelogues are highly masturbatory in nature. Peter Mayle has a light touch with a pen (I think I read the whole thing in under five hours), and a real flair for characterisation. I admire a man who can sketch a portrait in a sentence, like this bit describing his uncle, for exampl...more

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Oct 16, 2007

Dave rated it

This is a fun book that is literally about the first year Mayle spent in his new home in Provence. The chapters are divided into months, so a reader gets to enjoy with Mayle the seasonal changes of this beautiful region of France. Mayle understands the importance of gastronomy to the French and his food descriptions are a well written part of his story.
Mayle mentions in passing, in an almost disparaging way, people of affluence buying up property in Southern France. This perspective was ...more

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Oct 03, 2007

Christine rated it

Recommends it for: people who find things quaint

I found this book walking to the B train this morning. Someone had gotten rid of it. Don't judge me to harshly for my foray into escapism, it makes the morning commute go fast.

1 week or so later...

So I've finished it, and although it had its moments where I chuckled a bit, I really didn't find it to be the incredible, evocative travel writing that it had been cracked up to be. The food descriptions were probably the strongest part, and I have to admit I did find my mout...more

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Apr 09, 2009

Christine rated it

Funny light read

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May 20, 2011

Cyndy Aleo rated it

Shelves: non-fiction

In the course of thinning out my book herd, I've been reading books that I haven't read in years, trying to determine whether I should keep them, or move them along. Going back to Peter Mayle's A Year in Provence was like going back to an old friend's house, but I've never been so hungry in my life as the two times I've read this book.

::: The Dream :::

Mayle and his wife live out a dream come true, dropping everything, selling their home, and moving full-time to Provence, a re...moreIn the course of thinning out my book herd, I've been reading books that I haven't read in years, trying to determine whether I should keep them, or move them along. Going back to Peter Mayle's A Year in Provence was like going back to an old friend's house, but I've never been so hungry in my life as the two times I've read this book.

::: The Dream :::

Mayle and his wife live out a dream come true, dropping everything, selling their home, and moving full-time to Provence, a region of France generally known to span from the Alps to the Rhône River, with the Côte d'Azur in the southern section. Known for its food, its wine, and its perfumes, it is a popular vacation destination in Europe, with a generally Mediterranean climate. Mayle's book chronicles their first year in the 200-year-old farmhouse that they bought in a rural area of Provence, including their struggles with the language, renovation of the house, and settling in with their new neighbors.

::: The Year :::

A Year in Provence is broken into twelve chapters, one per month, beginning in January as they start out their new life in Provence and ending with their first Christmas. What makes the book so interesting (and for me, misplaced in the travel section) is that it focuses much more on the culture of Mayle's area of Provence rather than on the scenery. He includes tales of restaurants and meals eaten there, but even more memorable than the food are the chefs and servers that he meets, the additional knowledge and culture that they often impart. One woman sends Mayle to an olive oil mill, and we learn about the world of olive oil, which is almost as intricate as that of wine.

Even better are the characters Mayle introduces us to. We meet Faustin, who runs the vineyard on Mayle's property, the curmudgeonly neighbor Massot, and a host of skilled laborers who are in and out most of the year while working on the home renovations. Each individual the Mayles meet helps them on their journey from tourists who moved to Provence to something resembling natives. Each experience, from goat races to plumbing issues, is related in such detail that you almost believe you are there, and reading this book on an empty stomach will leave you pricing flights online.

::: The Final Say :::

A Year in Provence is one of those books that you can read a chapter every so often, or all at once. Like one of the excellent meals Mayle describes, it's a delicious read, and leaves you hungering not only for the food, but also for more on some of the characters. You feel as if they have become old friends, and I'm eagerly anticipating re-reading the follow-up, Toujours Provence.

This review previously published at Epinions: http://www.epinions.com/review/A_Year_in...(less)

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Feb 01, 2011

Istop4books rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: culture-clash, fast-easy-read, memoir, non-fiction, travel

I read a couple of reviews on goodreads for this book and had to laugh at some of those who felt the book was whiney and written by a rich guy who could afford a super farmhouse with a pool no less! One review said that Mayle went back to England to live. Well – those reviews smack of small minded jealousy. Right now a farmhouse in France can be bought for as little as US$250,000.00; back in 1989 before this became trendy, property values were even more reasonable, especially coming from Engl...moreI read a couple of reviews on goodreads for this book and had to laugh at some of those who felt the book was whiney and written by a rich guy who could afford a super farmhouse with a pool no less! One review said that Mayle went back to England to live. Well – those reviews smack of small minded jealousy. Right now a farmhouse in France can be bought for as little as US$250,000.00; back in 1989 before this became trendy, property values were even more reasonable, especially coming from England where everything was/is expensive. It was kind of like selling your million dollar house in San Francisco and moving to Iowa – you could buy the entire town for the price of your modest house in California. I don’t think Mayle whined about the repairs to his house – in fact, he took it lightly and with a clear dose of patience and humor. Kudos to the Mayles to manage their money well enough to be able to enjoy the lifestyle which I don’t believe it was at all over the top.
Anyhow – I just had to say that.

Now for the book. I loved this book. I curled up with a glass of wine (Chilean, sorry) and read this in a couple of evenings. I laughed and laughed and commiserated with the Mayles. The writing is witty and the pace is excellent. It’s a romp through Provence over the course of a year. Peter and his wife have left behind their lives in England to move to Provence, buy a farmhouse and settle in to a slower pace of life. The story starts with the formidable paperwork process in buying a house, and reminded me of the process my son has gone through to rent a simple apartment in Brazil. Frustrating to the point of being funny. Mayle goes on to beautifully describe the climate, which is so different from common knowledge (again, very similar to our Brazilian experience); the absolutely mouthwatering gastronomic descriptions, locals, tourists, and then the never ending quest to fix the house. This part in particular reminded me of the time we bought a “fixer-upper” right on the beach in a beautiful town in Chile, and went through so many similar situations with repairmen and guests. At the time it drove us crazy, but now we look back at those times with a bit more fondness. In any case, Mayle brings the area to life, and does so in a light engaging way.

(less)

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Nov 06, 2010

Bibliophile rated it

I love this Peter Mayle guy. I love him so much incat am vaga senzatie ca, in curand, am sa-mi umplu putinul spatiu ramas liber din biblioteca doar cu romane de-ale lui...

Daca ati mai citit pe aici, probabil stiti ca autorul, acompaniat de sotie, a luat decizia de a se reloca in Franta, mai precis in Provence, pe o perioada nedeterminata, similara teoretic cu ..restul unei vieti. Ei, pe langa gastronomia franceza care-i termina psihic [pentru ca na, fiind britanici, va dati seama ...moreI love this Peter Mayle guy. I love him so much incat am vaga senzatie ca, in curand, am sa-mi umplu putinul spatiu ramas liber din biblioteca doar cu romane de-ale lui...

Daca ati mai citit pe aici, probabil stiti ca autorul, acompaniat de sotie, a luat decizia de a se reloca in Franta, mai precis in Provence, pe o perioada nedeterminata, similara teoretic cu ..restul unei vieti. Ei, pe langa gastronomia franceza care-i termina psihic [pentru ca na, fiind britanici, va dati seama cam ce 'delicii' apucasera sa guste in Londra anilor '80. adica..nici unul.] prin simplitate dar si prin consistenta si profunzime, mai sunt si alte detalii mai mult sau mai putin placute in ceea ce priveste a trai in Provence.
Trebuie sa inveti sa gandesti ca un francez, sa-ti iei pauza de pranz cu tot dinadinsul la mijlocul zilei, chiar daca atunci are lumea cea mai mare nevoie de tine. Trebuie sa accepti sa-ti lasi o aripa din casa abandonata, pentru ca muncitorii francezi sunt delasatori si, ce e drept, vor face totul pana la Craciun, dar daca acum e octombrie si deja iti faci griji..stop it. They'll do it eventually.
Trebuie sa iei placerile vietii ca atare: sa inveti sa privesti un rasarit provensal impreuna cu cineva iubit, sa ai sansa sa incerci cat mai multe restaurante din ghidul Michelin [sau din celalalt, al carui nume imi scapa..], sa-ti faci prieteni fara a sti limba sau macar accentul provensal, cu riscul de a nu va putea intelege in cursul unui pranz banal...sa-ti saruti de trei ori pe obraz cunostintele din Provence si doar de doua ori cele pariziene [puisque c'est trop], sa te intalnesti periodic cu vanatorul local,zgarcit, ciudat, artagos si extrem de neprietenos fata de turisti... iar in ceea ce il priveste pe ultimul individ, chiar as vrea sa va impartasesc din inteligenta lui. Are o perspectiva ceva cam egoista si misogina, ce e drept, dar e grozav, tipul!

L-am intrebat pe Massot daca exista cu adevarat vipere in Luberon. Dadu dispretuitor din cap la aceasta noua dovada de ignoranta din partea strainilor.
- Eh oui, exclama el, nu prea mari - arata cu mainile aproximativ treizeci de centimetri - dar daca te musca, trebuie sa ajungi la doctor in trei sferturi de ora, altfel... Isi lua o mutra sinistra, cu capul atarnand intr-o parte si cu limba balanganindu-i-se in coltul gurii. Se spune, adauga el, ca atunci cand o vipera musca un barbat, acesta moare. Dar cand vipera musca o femeie - se aplica spre mine ridicandu-si sprancenele - moare vipera. Izbucni in ras, amuzat, si-mi oferi o tigara groasa, galbuie. Sa nu plecati niciodata la drum fara a fi incaltat cu niste ghete solide.

sau:

- Ce isi schimba culoarea, ma intreba el intr-o dimineata, de la cea a unui sobolan mort la cea a unui rac mort in rastimp de trei ore? I se scuturau umerii in timp ce incerca sa-si stapaneasca rasul la gandul raspunsului foarte amuzant. Les anglais en vacances, adauga el, vous comprenez?

Asa ca, oricat de ciufuta am fost si sunt zilele astea, romanul asta chiar m-a binedispus! De-abia astept sa imi mai cumpar vreo doua de-ale lui.(less)

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Sep 12, 2010

Shelly rated it

This book was recommended to me because I love traveling. After reading it, though, I don't think the two things are related. Loving traveling is not a prerequisite to enjoying this book, and isn't a guarantee of enjoyment either. The book was just 'okay' to me. I wasn't riveted with his story, and, while I can't just expect an exciting plot from non-fiction, I gravitate toward non-fiction that is based around an exciting event or occurrence, thus reading a little more like fiction. Instead...more

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Jun 21, 2009

Shannon rated it

Shelves: bio-memoir

I've often dreamed of moving to Europe, so I enjoyed the descriptions in this book of the countryside, the food, and the houses and Mayle is often witty. I'll give him that. But I couldn't help feeling annoyed with his whingeing on about his situation. He and his wife obviously have plenty of money; enough to buy a big, beautiful, old house with a swimming pool and then to pay a bunch of people to work on it while they spend their time eating, drinking wine, and pretending to be locals. What's t...more

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Dec 18, 2011

David Silva rated it

I vacationed in the Luberon are of France this years, the setting of Peter Mayle's book and mini series. My friend had read his book prior to arranging the trip and the familiarity would be a great was to feel connection. I decided to wait on reading the book until after the trip. I wanted to experience it all first hand. After a truly fabulous time walking all over, eating pretty much nonstop, fumbling with French to the always very polite shop keepers, going to see every little town's offering...more

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Jul 25, 2011

Jenny Sparrow rated it

О романе Питера Мейла "Год в Провансе" я была весьма наслышана, однако и не собиралась его читать, пока не увидела его на полке в любимом книжном по смешной цене и не прочитала в нелестном отзыве подруги о том, что она содержит только "описание быта, будни, дела". В голове сразу прозвенел звоночек - я-то как раз очень-очень люблю читать именно про быт и будни. Поэтому роман уже в самом скором времени перекочевал ко мне на полку.

И очень рада сказать, что он оправдал ...moreО романе Питера Мейла "Год в Провансе" я была весьма наслышана, однако и не собиралась его читать, пока не увидела его на полке в любимом книжном по смешной цене и не прочитала в нелестном отзыве подруги о том, что она содержит только "описание быта, будни, дела". В голове сразу прозвенел звоночек - я-то как раз очень-очень люблю читать именно про быт и будни. Поэтому роман уже в самом скором времени перекочевал ко мне на полку.

И очень рада сказать, что он оправдал все самые смелые ожидания - книга просто прелестна! Я не люблю Францию, мне никогда не хотелось в Париж и я никогда не восхищалась прелестью французского языка, однако до чего же мне понравилась эта книга! Ни грамма слащавости, которую можно было бы ожидать, всё в меру - и кулинария, и местные нравы и обычаи, и повседневные заботы, и встречи с колоритными провансальцами. Мне очень понравилась манера Мейла писать и его легкая английская ирония, его способность из повседневного быта сделать если не песню, то по крайней мере очень увлекательное и милое повествование. Я отдыхала душой, когда это читала, а оторваться было невозможно. Нет, я не прониклась большей любовью к Франции и всему французскому, у меня не было черной зависти к автору и горячего желания "чтоб я так жил", я просто-напросто наслаждалась каждой страницей, как Питер и его жена наслаждались каждым днем своего замечательного года в Провансе.

"Год в Провансе" определенно займет место среди самых любимых книг на полке, и теперь я очень хочу прочитать продолжение - "Еще один год в Провансе".(less)

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Jan 24, 2012

Kate Z rated it

Shelves: january-challenge

This is one of those books I missed the first time around. I needed an excuse to read a book that "everyone" has already read - the January theme/challenge is it. One of my mom's favorites!

I'm not really sure how to rate this book - it's a wonderful book with lively writing peppered with similes. The book is populated by wonderful characters from Provence who are drawn without criticism but revealed for all of their quirks and human-ness. Mayle obviously loves people and ...more

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Aug 26, 2011

Kevin rated it

Shelves: france, library-ebook

"It was a meal that we shall never forget; more accurately, it was several meals that we shall never forget, because it went beyond the gastronomic frontiers of anything we had ever experienced, both in quantity and length. It started with homemade pizza - not one, but three: anchovy, mushroom, and cheese, and it was obligatory to have a slice of each. Plates were then wiped with pieces torn from the two-foot loaves in the middle of the table, and the next course came out. There were pates ...more

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Jul 26, 2011

Patti from Charlotte added it

After having read a slew of recent 'deep thinking/hard to grasp' terrific novels, it was pure serenditipity to discover the easy reading of "A Year in Provence." I thoroughly enjoyed Peter Mayle's journey through his and his wife's first year in Provence. Though it has been many years since I traveled similar streets of the region's Avignone and Nice, his simple, delightful writing took me back... just as it caused me to wish to return for the local flavor that he enjoyed. I was f...more

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Aug 06, 2011

Kristen Carannante rated it

Month-by-month account of a British couple who buy an old farmhouse in Provence. The detailed descriptions of meals made me hungry. The detailed descriptions of house renovations drudged up the memories of my house renovations. I enjoyed the way that the book was broken down by month, allowing the reader to really feel the pace of life in this rural section of Provence. I'm ready to book a trip for the fall when all of those annoying tourists go home.

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Jul 18, 2011

Angela rated it

This is a pleasant story, that I borrowed off a friend to read before I head to Provence.
Mayle's accounts of food made me hungry and his tendency to not over-describe makes this easy, light reading. I like the consistency of characters throughout story, and the way Mayle doesn't write like he's above rural Provencal life. He also isn't too self-deprecating, but instead finds a nice balance between being the new guy in town and having a strong sense of cultural awareness and appreciation.
...more

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Mar 05, 2010

Andie rated it

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. In my attempts to make good on my promise to read more nonfiction, I finally plucked this off my shelf. It had been sitting there gathering dust since 2006, when I borrowed it from a stranger I'd met and had promised to read it quickly and give it back (sorry about that, whoever you were/are...) I found it to be a delightful, light hearted read. Often I found myself laughing out loud. "Charming" is rarely a term I'd used to describe a book I've rea...more

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Aug 06, 2011

Virginia rated it

Shelves: 2011books, memoir, library, nonfiction

I thought this was a charming story about a guy who retires from England to Provence with his wife and dogs. (And a BOATLOAD of money, although this is never explicitly stated.) I really enjoyed the descriptions of the characters involved, especially all the builders, I could have done with less about the food – but I think that’s why most people would read this. It’s not food writing per se, but the author does describe many meals. I do not think I would have appreciated all the home improv...more

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Sep 05, 2010

Shannon Vincent Nelson rated it

I read this book, while in Provence, which in my opinion, is the best place to read it. Mayle does a great job of describing this magical and quirky place with it gorgeous scenery, rich history, and delicious food.

The book is a quick easy read, and I especially liked how Mayle divides the chapters into months of the year to really give a sense of life in Provence. I did feel at times that I would have enjoyed the book more if Mayle engaged in more of Provence, attending festivals, ge...more

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Jan 06, 2010

Jay rated it

If you yearn for a life in France, and especially Provence, then I cannot recommend this book more highly.
Peter Mayle writes with ease and eloquence, and reading this book in a comfortable chair in a patch of dappled sunlight is akin to being there! Mayle writes about the trials and tribulations he encounters in pursuit of a long-dreamed-of life in France with such humour and affection that the lazy pace of life if evident throughout. It takes real effort at times to realise that this ros...more

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May 04, 2011

Peggy rated it

I was looking for the book Bella Tuscany when I came across this book. It was published in 1989 and was written by an Englishman, Peter Mayle, who moved to the French countryside and wrote about his year there.
This account was written years before Frances Mayes' series of books about Tuscany but the themes are the same: food and more food, an old house that needs repair, friendly locals, trips to neighboring towns, cultural differences that point to the locals being far wiser and living a ...more

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Dec 26, 2010

Catherine rated it

I enjoyed this story of an English couple who buy a local house in Provence, France, and set out to explore the land, the villages and the people as they adapt to the very different pace and lifestyle of their new locale. The book covers their first year in Provence as full-time residents. Peter Mayle describes the everyday lives of his neighbors and the working people who are helping the Mayles renovate their home.

The author has a wonderful ability to see past the frustrations and de...more

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Oct 26, 2010

Tress Huntley rated it

I remember seeing this book facing out on the "travel essay" shelf about sixteen years ago. I was working part time at a bookstore at the time, in between "real" jobs and wondering what I was going to do with my life. I found the artwork on the cover entrancing. At that point I had never really read any travel literature, but I promised myself that someday I would read this book.

Fortunately since then I have read a fair amount of travel literature. And this was ...more

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Jan 10, 2011

Meaghan rated it

This was a book club pick. This year we decided to pick a different genre for each month and this month is non-fiction. This book is a literary travel book. Mayle gives a month by month recap of his life in Provence, France. Most of this book centers on food and at times I found the description to be way too much. While I like a bit of description I found that this went overboard. I almost felt like the author didn't have anything else to write about. It seems that Mayle spent a quiet yea...more

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Oct 11, 2010

Alyssa rated it

Shelves: non-fiction, leisure

I really loved this book. This was maybe the best vicarious year I have ever spent abroad. It is written beautifully and effortlessly, is practically foodie porn, and is full of fun anecdotal stories about the paysan Francaise and experiencing the joie de vivre en Provence.

I thought the author's name, Peter Mayle, sounded familiar, and it wasn't until I was almost finished I realized he is also the author of A Good Year-which I LOVED-so it figures I enjoyed everything about his wri...more

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About Peter Mayle

Peter Mayle (born June 14, 1939 in Brighton) is a British author famous for his series of books detailing life in Provençe, France. He spent fifteen years in advertising before leaving the business in 1975 to write educational books, including a series on sex education for children and young people. In 1989, A Year in Provence was published and became an international bestseller. His books have be...more

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Books by Peter Mayle

Encore Provence: New Adventures in the South of France

French Lessons: Adventures with Knife, Fork, and Corkscrew

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Quotes from A Year in Provence

“It was a meal that we shall never forget; more accurately, it was several meals that we shall never forget, because it went beyond the gastronomic frontiers of anything we had ever experienced, both in quantity and length. It started with homemade pizza - not one, but three: anchovy, mushroom, and cheese, and it was obligatory to have a slice of each. Plates were then wiped with pieces torn from the two-foot loaves in the middle of the table, and the next course came out. There were pates of rabbit, boar, and thrush. There was a chunky, pork-based terrine laced with marc. There were saucissons spotted with peppercorns. There were tiny sweet onions marinated in a fresh tomato sauce. Plates were wiped once more and duck was brought in... We had entire breasts, entire legs, covered in a dark, savory gravy and surrounded by wild mushrooms.

We sat back, thankful that we had been able to finish, and watched with something close to panic as plates were wiped yet again and a huge, steaming casserole was placed on the table. This was the specialty of Madame our hostess - a rabbit civet of the richest, deepest brown - and our feeble requests for small portions were smilingly ignored. We ate it. We ate the green salad with knuckles of bread fried in garlic and olive oil, we ate the plump round crottins of goat's cheese, we ate the almond and cream gateau that the daughter of the house had prepared. That night, we ate for England.” — 3 people liked it

“Sunglasses must be kept on until an acquaintance is identified at one of the tables, but one must not appear to be looking for company. Instead, the impression should be that one is heading into the cafe to make a phone call to one's titled Italian admirer, when--quelle surprise!--one sees a friend. The sunglasses can then be removed and the hair tossed while one is persuaded to sit down.” — 2 people liked it

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