A Parrot in the Pepper Tree

This is a book of anecdotes and tales from the life of Chris Stewart, a Brit living on a farm in deepest Andalucia with his wife and daughter. It follows on from the success of his debut book, 'Driving Over Lemons', which I haven't read.

This book exceeded all my expectations. I found the author to be an easy-going optimist who likes to laugh at himself and life with self-deprecating humour. This is a man who went to school with Peter Gabriel, drummed in the school band called 'Genesis' but was sent back to school by his parents to finish his studies just as the band began to enjoy a degree of success. I wonder whether his parents rue the decision to complete his expensive Charterhouse education which led him to a career in the circus, a show more stint learning flamenco in Seville and making ends meet sheep-shearing in Sweden.

I was afraid this would be a smug account of some middle-class Brit playing at living the good life abroad. I was wrong - this is the real thing. This family was living hand to mouth, struggling to pay bills, whilst trying to keep on top of the never ending list of jobs to do around the farm. His decision to write about his antics was a financial gamble and his success was beyond what they dared to hope for.

The stories themselves are amusing and describe wonderfully life in Spain and the cast of eccentric characters that cross their paths. I loved the arrival of Porca the parrot and the way he completely takes over, putting everyone firmly in their place. The tales are woven together with the construction of the eco-folly and the looming prospect of the building of a dam. In all this is a lovely, sunny book to read and I wouldn't hesitate to read Stewart's other books. show less

No big trips for me this summer. Not by plane or train anyway. Instead, I've traveled by book. A Parrot in the Pepper Tree carried me to Spain, to the mountain home of Chris Stewart and his family. With the Stewarts, life is always a degree or two west of normal, with all the odd Spaniards of the world apparently living within walking distance of the Stewarts' home. Don't expect a big rollercoaster adventure; Pepper Tree is more of a hike through a quirky human zoo.

I just finished this delightful book, only realizing it was a sequel to another, after I started reading. But that fact does not interfere or detract from the reading at all. I liked Stewart's writing and gentle humour. He is equally skilled at laughing at himself and the circumstances he finds himself in. An enjoyable book and I may now seek out the first book!

Continuation of Driving Over Lemons, story of English family that moves to a small farm in southern Spain. Well written, interesting stories, nice light read. I'm guessing there will be at least another of these.

This is a wonderful continuation of Driving Over Lemons. It's humourous, affectionate, a true portrait of the place and it's people. I love this author's books.

Back Cover Blurb:
Chris Stewart's Driving Over Lemons told the story of his move to a remote mountain farm in Las Alpujarras - and oddball region of Spain, south of Granada. Funny, insightful and real, the book became an international bookseller.
Three years on, A Parrot in the Pepper Tree follows the lives of Chris, Ana and their daughter Chloe, on their farm, as they get to grips with a misanthropic parrot who joins their home, Spanish school life, neighbours in love, journalists beating a path to their door.....and the shock of discovering that their beloved valley might once show more more be under threat of being engulfed by a dam.
A Parrot in the Pepper Tree also looks back on Chris Stewart's former life - the hard times shearing in midwinter Sweden (and driving across the frozen sea to reach island farms); his first taste of Spain, learning flamenco guitar as a 20-year old; and his illustrious music career, drumming for his school band Genesis (sacked at 17, he never quite became Phil Collins), and then for Sir Robert Fossett's circus. show less

Second in a series of three books about an English couple who set up home in southern Spain. A casual read, where you meet a series of characters in the area. Somewhat humorous, a lot at the cost of the author. However, not as good as the first book.

The sequel to Driving over Lemons doesn't quite reach the quality of its predecessor; nevertheless, it is an enjoyable and entertaining read.
(September 2007)