Patricia Atkinson

The second book by Patricia Atkinson, and English settler in the south of France. This one focuses mostly on the culture and food - the hunting of boars, gathering of mushrooms, fishing, collecting oysters, vegetables, truffles - with the every present attention she pays to her vineyard, her wine, and especially her friends.
It's a particularly poignant book, as the author opens up a little to the loss of husband and friends that we read about in her first book.
Once again, the personal show more unfamiliar with French is going to stumble on the frequent use of French phrases and words, but they only slightly diminish from a satisfying read. show less

This is a wonderful story of a woman thrust into the task of managing a vineyard and winery, and the roles of many men in mkaing this a successful venture - one in particular, and no, it's not the husband who fades from the scene.
The author goes into lots of detail of all the processes involved in nurturing grapes, the vintage, the wine-making, and selling it. It might be a bit too much for some readers, but it illustrates well the effort that had to be put in. In between there are stories show more of wonderful neighbours, French bureaucracy, family and babies, sprinkled with some whimsical poetry.
Easy to read, and presented as a series of short stories within each chapter. show less

Starts off a bit stiff, but you grow to like Patricia, and learn a hell of a lot about wines and growing vines than you will ever need. Inspirational and also a little sad at the end.

1 of 18 books for $10 today 5.12.2012

An essential read for anyone dreaming of setting up a vineyard and escaping the rat-race!
Atkinson turned vigneron by chance when financial necessity turned her holiday hideaway into the only way she had of making a living. She takes the reader through the highs and lows of making her enterprise work.
A great read for anyone who goes on holiday to this part of France because you can buy her wines (prize-winning) in the local supermarkets and good wineshops