This is a book review of A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle. A fairly famous book written by Peter Mayle first published in 1989. It was turned into a TV series starring the great John Thaw and had a sequel or even two written.
The book is about Peter, his wife and a couple of dogs buying a property in a rural village in Provence, France. The renovation of their property, the people they meet, the culture and their experiences make for a very interesting read. In turn it can make you question your own culture, in my case being British and our attitudes to food, relationships etc.
Now there year in Provence was exactly that, not a case of it being their holiday home, popping over for key events, lifestyle and the weather! Instead they submerged themselves into the culture full time and us the reader become more informed for it. You can’t help but like Peter and his wife and the way they go about dealing with issues through sun, rain and indeed snow and gale force winds.
However the book is only as enjoyable because not only of Peters brilliant writing skill, but how he observes situations and people and his attitude. His attitude and likability hugely enriched how people dealt with him in turn and again the reader benefited.
There are far too many favourite parts of the book. An author that makes a building of a wall sound interesting! A book that makes you want to visit Provence to sample the life yourself.
I couldn’t put this book down and it’s relaxed style of writing makes it a perfect accompaniment to winding down at the end of a day or relaxing at lunch. You find yourself completely enthralled in the book and before you know it, you’ve finished.
Unfortunately the book is only 197 pages, but a joyful 197 pages at that.
So any negative feedback in this review? Now I’m a vegetarian, so didn’t like some aspects of this book and the love for meat etc. However I’m sure the vegetarians can eat very well in France and the wine tasting at the vineyards was a delight to read.
Bon appetit.
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