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67th out of 69 books
—
40 voters
Chasing Cezanne (Амфора Travel)
by
Peter Mayle
Hanky-panky on the international art scene is the source of the hilarity and fizz in Peter Mayle's new novel. He flies us back to the south of France (a region some readers of his irresistible best-sellers believe him to have invented), on a wild chase through galleries, homes of prominent collectors, and wickedly delectable restaurants. There are stopovers in the Bahamas...more
Paperback, 304 pages
Published
April 28th 1998
by Vintage
(first published December 12th 1991)
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Another slow read, mostly as a result of frequent over-cuteness and plain old annoyance.
On the surface, this one should have been very well-suited to my tastes. I love caper stories. It seems that much of the appeal is ruined, however, when all of the lead characters in the caper story are already well-to-do, fashionable and near-insufferably smug with their own fabulousness. Toward the end of the story, when one of these smirking, sophisticated Manhattanites is suddenly and unconvincingly tran...more
On the surface, this one should have been very well-suited to my tastes. I love caper stories. It seems that much of the appeal is ruined, however, when all of the lead characters in the caper story are already well-to-do, fashionable and near-insufferably smug with their own fabulousness. Toward the end of the story, when one of these smirking, sophisticated Manhattanites is suddenly and unconvincingly tran...more
Chasing Cézanne is a lighthearted, quick read novel that takes us from New York City, Bahamas, England, Paris and the south of France. Professional photographer Andre Kelly has just completed an assignment in the south of France. Rather than heading straight back to wintry NYC, he decides to drop in on some people he met on another assignment. He soon realizes that no one is home, but then notices that the Denoyer's handy man "Old Claude" is helping to load a Cézanne in a plumber's truck. Someth...more
I really did enjoy this book and would have given it a 3.5 had I been able. This is the first book of Peter Mayle's that I have read, and I will definitely read him again. This is the story of Andre Kelley, a photographer that shoots interiors for a decorating magazine. While on assignment in Nice, he decides to go visit some friends on Cap Ferrat. When he arrives there he finds them not at home, but sees their famous Cezanne painting being loaded into a plumbers van. He finds this highly suspic...more
Per Zufall wird der Fotograf Kelly Zeuge, dass ein berühmtes Bild aus einer exklusiven Villa abtransportiert wird. Dies lässt ihm keine Ruhe, er vermutet einen Diebstahl und versucht, der Sache auf den Grund zu gehen. Doch dies ist nicht ganz ungefährlich.
Das Buch lebt vor allem von den Beschreibungen der Landschaften, den idyllischen Umgebungen und zuletzt auch von den exquisiten, schmackhaften Mahlzeiten, die immer wieder aufgetischt werden. Dabei ist der Schreibstil locker und leicht, manchma...more
Das Buch lebt vor allem von den Beschreibungen der Landschaften, den idyllischen Umgebungen und zuletzt auch von den exquisiten, schmackhaften Mahlzeiten, die immer wieder aufgetischt werden. Dabei ist der Schreibstil locker und leicht, manchma...more
I tried reading this book years ago and just couldn't get into it - this surprised me because I am a big fan of Peter Mayle's non-fiction writing about his life in France, and in general I like a good art heist story. So, I decided to try again. I had a little more luck this second time around, but still found that the story failed to really hold my attention. The basic story line is that a magazine photographer who takes pictures of the homes and art of the rich and famous, finds himself photog...more
I had high hopes for this one as I was definitely in the mood for a light and entertaining romp about a jet setting photographer who gets mixed up with the theft of a Cezanne. I guess the one thing going for it is that it's short. It was over quickly but not before I wondered if I could be bothered following through with the farcical plot and caricatures. Unless you're stuck on a plane for a few hours with nothing else handy I wouldn't bother with. Life's too short.
I've just noticed that Peter...more
I've just noticed that Peter...more
A professional photographer accidentally stumbles upon the heist of a Cézanne, spurring a country-hopping caper. Like all of Mayle’s books, this is a meandering foray of a story with little in the way of excitement. Admittedly, the more I read his books, the less charming I find them: they are a bit too relaxed and a bit too repetitive. As I read this book, I kept thinking of cotton candy: how the first bite is wonderful but subsequent bites are little more than sickeningly sweet fluff. I like g...more
Andre Kelly is a freelance photographer who does a lot of work for a decorating magazine. While in France he stops by a house where he shot pictures in the past and sees a Cezanne being loaded into a plumbers truck. Andre then becomes obsessed, for no apparent reason, with finding out why this happened. Even after getting a perfectly valid explanation from the paintings owner he is still obsessed with it.
I wouldn't classify this book as a thriller. It's mostly Andre travelling around wondering...more
I wouldn't classify this book as a thriller. It's mostly Andre travelling around wondering...more
So far really good and a quick read. Is the Cezanne missing? If yes, why? Taken into the heart of the art world. Mayle impresses the reader with his knowledge of various fields once again.
Quick read that kept me busy while lying in bed ill with all by body parts aching. A photographer accidentally sees a Cezanne being moved from the home of a wealthy client into a van, and with his attempts to solve the mystery of this strange scene, he interacts with varied characters, encounters he wrath of se...more
Quick read that kept me busy while lying in bed ill with all by body parts aching. A photographer accidentally sees a Cezanne being moved from the home of a wealthy client into a van, and with his attempts to solve the mystery of this strange scene, he interacts with varied characters, encounters he wrath of se...more
A wonderful composite of mystery ,love story, and art theft. Budding photographer Andre Kelly, has had the opportunity to do many photo shoots for DQ magazine who is run by Camilla Porter. A design magazine gives an opportunity to see many beautiful homes , and outstanding "art work". While in France Andre attempts a visit to a home he had previously photographed only to see something "not quite right".A famous Cezanne being loaded into a plumbers's van. There begins the mystery---
A fun,light re...more
A fun,light re...more
По странному совпадению книга почти о том же, что и предыдущая прочитанная (Белая голубка Кордовы). Опять копии картин знаменитых художников, галеристы и дельцы от искусства, погони и перестрелки. У Рубиной всё же получилось лучше. Мейл более склонен к беллетристике и разжёванно-голливудской манере подачи. Простовато, но неплохо. А как он влюблён во Францию!
This is a good reason to still browse libraries and book stores...... I stumbled across Peter Mayle in the library stacks. I enjoyed Mayle's style and voice. Some of the shady characters become quite likeable. I recommend Mayle and I liked this book. I have 5 more to delve into.
the international art world (and some select culinary houses of worship). Andre Kelly, a photographer at work in the South of France for a New York-based magazine, stumbles onto a plumber loading a painting by Cezanne int...more
the international art world (and some select culinary houses of worship). Andre Kelly, a photographer at work in the South of France for a New York-based magazine, stumbles onto a plumber loading a painting by Cezanne int...more
This was fast & fun. I'm surprised it's not on film already.
Mayle's got a good thing going. Provence has a certain charm & fascination for the visitor that is easily exploited by an entertaining storyteller.
It seemed rather cheeky, our André's visit to Nether Trollope, the Lamprey Arms, and lorded residents of the manor. Mayle's not too complimentary on his countrymen.
Mayle's got a good thing going. Provence has a certain charm & fascination for the visitor that is easily exploited by an entertaining storyteller.
It seemed rather cheeky, our André's visit to Nether Trollope, the Lamprey Arms, and lorded residents of the manor. Mayle's not too complimentary on his countrymen.
It's official. I truly love Peter Mayle, especially when I am most in the mood for clever characters, lots of humor, a bit of intrigue, and food food food. Not only do I fly through Mayle's books (including this one - great place to start if you're new to Mayle) but I also leave wanting desperately to stop everything I'm doing and wing off to Nice or Paris. Not a bad thing, really.
I enjoyed this book. I have read Mayle's other mysteries and consider this the weakest one. I enjoy the setting, the clueless characters and the light-hearted touch. It is a bit of fluff which can be a treat on a long summer afternoon. These remind me of the original "Pink Panther." I am re-reading his mysteries to remind myself which one it was I liked best.
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This is an unusual take on an art caper. Elements of a thriller, without all the techno-babble. Elements of a romance, without the angst and heaving bosoms. References to the worlds of fine art and publishing, without overblown descriptions of the lifestyle. The ending is a bit abrupt. I would like to visit these characters again
I didn't realise Mayle wrote novels as well. I picked this up at the Naseby book sale and it was an ok holiday read without getting too cerebral!! I had to laugh that half way through the book the central character Andre suffered a typo and became Andrew for a minute!! I dutifully scribbled out the w. How could that happen!!!
Mildly amusing book- I still think that Mayle was at his best with A Year in Provence. It was interesting to see him take a stab at another genre. There were moments that reminded me too much of the magazine industry as portrayed in The Devil Wears Prada but on the whole, the spoof pulls off just fine.
This one is set in Provence, Paris, and NYC and it's a light comic caper about a stolen Cezanne. The comedy is mostly subtle and I would say it is more of a FUN read than a truly outrageously comical read, but the dialogue and the situations the characters find themselves in provide enough humor to cause a giggle or two now and then. The plot is easygoing and a little convoluted, though it doesn't matter because the "ride" of the story is much more fun than the story itself. A Cezanne painting i...more
Easy and elegant writing define this smart and fast mystery novel. Early on we meet photographer Andre Kelly, a smart and suave ladies man. While on assignment he notices a rather odd happening and photographs it. A priceless Cezanne painting has been loaded carelessly into the back of a van. Andre is immediately suspicious and soon contacts the once he contacts the paintings owner he knows the owner is lying and thus the quest begins. Finding a charming and well respected art dealer in Cyrus Pi...more
On the whole, pleasant, but not among Mayle's better "mysteries." Maybe mystery is to strong a term, but they're too laid-back to be a thriller. Somewhat like Philip Craig's Martha's Vineyard mysteries - an easy going protagonist who's bound and determined to solve the mystery of the missing Cezanne that isn't really missing.
After reading only literary fiction, it is nice to get some contrast with something more mainstream like this book. I would go into the numerous faults in this novel, which cares more about the meals its characters eat than their psychology, but that would be like picking apart the mise-en-scène in the Jackass films: this is a book that's never meant to be read in such a harsh light. I also have a hard time deciding whether it's heartening or depressing that such trash is so successful in our cu...more
I liked the book - perfect airplane read. Wouldn't necessarily recommend it although someone recommended it to me for the section on Paris. Had some great suggestions on what to see in Paris and since I'm going to Paris - it was great.
I love Peter Mayle ... This is my second favorite of his, behind Anything Considered. This is a light-hearted caper that I've read several different times, and lent my copy to friends for years to read while travelling.
the mystery deepens as our hero Andre seeks the answer to why a cezanne is being loaded onto a plumbers truck near the home of the absent owner. the plot is energetic, keeps you guessing and reading until the end.
Another light-hearted adventure with lots of Provence atmosphere. This is a good beach or summer cabin book - but make sure you have some good wine & cheese available - they just seem necessary with Mayle's books.
I found this pretty boring and hard to get in to. I enjoyed parts, and must admit it had some good style points, and some nice descriptions of places, but I found it took great effort not to abandon in the first half, and the second half wasn't a whole lot more exciting. The main problem: in Mayle's non-fiction, one becomes so involved in the people and places that plot is not what drives the reader. In mystery, plot is much more central, and the craft of revealing character, setting and plot ju...more
A fun read - my 'box of chocolates' during a dreary spell of endless rain. Who wouldn't like to have an art dealer offer to pay them to accompany him on a trip to Paris to expose hijinks in the world of art forgery?
I gave this three stars because the plot was hard to follow, right up until the very end...but it was still really enjoyable to read, even though I wasn't sure what was going on! I love reading Peter Mayle's books. He writes about such beautiful, glittering places and makes you able to see and taste what he's writing about.
Peter Mayle should stick to non-ficiton about provence. Farce is very French, hard to write. The descriptions of Paris through a first-timers eyes was delightful and the food scenes magnifique
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Peter Mayle (born June 14, 1939 in Brighton) is a British author famous for his series of books detailing life in Provence, 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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