A Harvest of Sunflowers

by Ruth Silvestre

Twenty years after first setting eyes on Bel-Air de Grezelongue, her dream house in the sunflowers in southwest France, Ruth Silvestre brings us the long-awaited sequel to the adventures. Local friendships and bonds of loyalty that she and her family formed during the gradual restoration of their once derelict farmhouse have now deepened. The children, both hers and her neighbors, are now adults. Wedding festivities and banquets are described in mouth-watering detail as, with natural joie-de-vivre, a close-knit society celebrates and prepares for the coming generation. "A Harvest of Sunflowers" is a joy to read from a writer who can illustrate the simplest experience with exuberance and affection.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this whole series of stories

[Lesley Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 of trilogy, just as good as book 1

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having enjoyed every minute spent reading A House in the Sunflowers: An English Family's Search for Their Dream House in France (The Sunflowers Trilogy) I couldn't wait to read more in book two. A Harvest of Sunflowers carries on the story of Ruth and her family, twenty years after buying their dream holiday house in rural France.

All the characters from book one are back, older and wiser, and the family are now entwined in their local community. Ruth writes about weddings, new arrivals and talks of great friendships as well as changes they have seen in the farming community, especially the way the harvests are now dealt with by the new generation. Food, family and community are still an important part of this book as they are in rural French life. Ruth's writing style makes a very readable book and it was lovely to follow their story and feel included in their French adventure as well as learning so much about rural French life. This book will take you to the heart of rural France.

See also A House in the Sunflowers: An English Family's Search for Their Dream House in France (The Sunflowers Trilogy)and Reflections of Sunflowers (The Sunflowers Trilogy)

[Pilar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do not believe I am a true fan of this author' writing. I bought the trilogy collection, read the first book but had a hard time trying to finish it. I have to say that I enjoyed the second book a little bit more but not to the point that it really cautivated me.
Regardless this comment, I kept my husband up to date on all the remodeling that they did and I want to share it that we laughed and enjoyed their stories related to renovating the house, through twenty years.
Both my husband and I have a feeling for this stories, me, being an architech and my husband, a lifetime american builder.

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved it. I’ve always liked journals, but this is more than that. It is beautifully written and gives us a nice insight of the French way of living, glimpses of its history and left me longing to go back to this lovely country where I’ve already spent a few short holidays.

[Susan Springer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writing is a little dry. Not as engaging as other bon-bon
books.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the continuation of the saga of their part time home in France. Just plain delicious reading.