Hotel Pastis: A Novel of Provence
by Peter Mayle
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 417)
Read in October, 2007
This one took a while to read both because I've had a lot going on in my life the past couple weeks and haven't as much time to read, and because it was kind of a "slow" read. There are a lot of French phrases in the book that aren't translated, which makes the reading difficult if you don't happen to know French. In the past, I have loved everything I've had my hands on by Peter Mayle. This was an interesting story, definitely amusing in parts, but the ending was a bit anti-climact...more
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Read in August, 2006
Since I have a huge fondness for Southern France, I knew that I should start reading Peter Mayle books. I found Hotel pastis to be a delightful and charming novel that made me want to pack my bags and head to Aix-En-Provence tout de suite.
The story centers around a former London Ad-executive who on a whim, opens a small boutique hotel in the South of France with his butler. There is a bit of romance and another bit of a crime story to follow, but all in all I would call it a light read--a va...more
The story centers around a former London Ad-executive who on a whim, opens a small boutique hotel in the South of France with his butler. There is a bit of romance and another bit of a crime story to follow, but all in all I would call it a light read--a va...more
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I'm generally not in to fiction, but i'm looking to change that. That said, i can't put down this book. I connect to it because the main character is an Ad exec, and i'm in the advertising industry. But I'm drawn to his escape from that industry through his love of Paris and love of a parisian. The characters are rich. It's written with fabulous, elegant language and detail.
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Read in June, 2008
recommends it for:
Lovers of France, and wealthy white men
A string of tired literary cliches (the flamboyant gay man, the tanned cleavage and long legs, the bank heist) set in the wine-drenched, sunny valleys of Provence. Boring, predictable story, although I am itching to grab a bike and explore the mountains with the General and his band of merry men. Great descriptions of scenery and food. Mayle should stick to non-fiction.
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Read in January, 2006
I really enjoyed this book. Partly because it took place in Provence and I could relate to so many of the little idiosyncrasies it talks about. This book is about a Brit workaholic who goes to France on holiday and ends up falling in love with a woman and the small village she is from. He moves there and decides to open a hotel.
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This isn't up to Mayle's usual standard but it is a fun quick read of particular interest to those who have traveled to Provence or are planning to. The plot is predictable and a bit trite. The characters are humorous (as are all Mayle's characters) but in a caricaturish way I didn't see in his other works.
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Read in September, 2007
This is a simple book. I chose to read this book because it was mindless reading that did not involve being blonde or shopping or searching for love. This book will not knock your socks off but it a fun read that makes you wish you could live your life in France.
It could easily be finished in a weekend.
It could easily be finished in a weekend.
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Like cliched travel writing? Women described only by their breast sizes, short skirts, and other sexualized prose? Embarrassingly rich protagonists, struggling with the "problems" of how best to spend their millions? If these topics appeal, then this book is for you.
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recommends it for:
no one
Peter Mayle's forte is NOT fiction. Still trying to find a way to capitalize on and pay for living in Provence. This tale is boring, silly, and completely predictable. Stick to the "Provence" books.
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Read in July, 2008
If you enjoy travel-porn, i.e. detailed descriptions of architecture, meals, countryside, etc, then this is for you. I'm not that into that kind of thing, so it wasn't for me. But it wasn't bad.
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Enjoyable, light novel. Will probably try his nonfiction A Year in Provence now (after passing it up many times at the library for no particular reason than something else caught my eye)
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in March, 2008
Not as good as the Provence books that Peter Mayle wrote but at least this one has some of the same flavor of life in the provencal region of France. A fun, light read.
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Peter Mayle should stick with non-fiction. I love "A Year in Provence" and its successors, but Mayle's fiction is somewhat formulaic and a bit disappointing.
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Read in January, 2005
Recommended by Stephanie who said that she re-reads it everytime she wants something fun to put her in a good mood.
I enjoyed it thoroughly. Delightful.
I enjoyed it thoroughly. Delightful.
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Read in January, 2000
I read this book yearly - I like its pace, its intrigue, its subject matter and setting, its characters, even its cars. And especially its wine!
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A fun farce through Provence. I've read this book a couple of times. It's an easy. light read, full of humor and the glories of Southern France.
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Read in July, 2005
My book club read this as one of our "summer reads". It was perfect for a summer read,light and fun especially enjoyable with a glass of wine!
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Read in February, 2008
it's peter mayle, so of course there's going to be 'something' in it - I just love reading hi for the descriptions of the french countryside.
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Read in July, 2006
Another fun one by Mayle. Why don't I read more purely fun mysteries? I should; I enjoyed this one.
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I enjoyed this book very much. Another tale about Provence that was amusing and entertaining.
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