Toujours Provence

Enchanting vignettes of people/places by an expat Brit in France; I should probably read 'A year in Provence' but this one is an enjoyable stand-alone. I felt it was authentic but kind of travelogue-ish, as if he didn't really engage with the locals. Based on my feeling from 'A Good Year' and the reviews of the first Provence book, I expected more intimacy.

Peter Mayle, Brite der seit vielen Jahren in der Provence lebt, schildert in mehrseitigen Geschichten auf zärtliche und humorvolle Art und Weise das Leben dort im Besonderen und im Allgemeinen. Mit jedem Satz spürt man, wie sehr er seiner neuen Heimat verbunden ist: den Menschen, der Natur, dem Klima, dem Essen und Trinken. Bei soviel Liebe wird selbst der in Frankreich bestehende Bürokratismus mit einem zwinkernden Auge betrachtet. Und bei einem Besuch in 'Good Old England' wird klar, dass er in der Provence nichts, aber auch gar nichts vermisst (sieht man von den Sanitärinstallationen ab).
Charmant ist die Idee, immer wieder französische Wörter oder Sätze einfließen zu lassen - man glaubt die Provence direkt vor sich zu haben. show more Für Französisch-Unkundige gibt es zwar ein Glossar, doch sind bedauerlicherweise nicht alle Begriffe enthalten. Dies schmälert zwar nicht das Verständnis, doch vielleicht das Lesevergnügen bei ständigem nach Hintenblättern.
Alles in allem für Frankophile ganz sicher ein Genuss und für ProvenceliebhaberInnen auf jeden Fall ein Muss! show less

This is a fun memoir about a British expat and his wife living in Provence. It is a follow-up to Mayle’s successful and popular book A Year in Provence, which I have not read. I did not find it necessary to have read the original, as I enjoyed this one very much. It contains a series of everyday episodes in the author’s life, such as eating at restaurants, attending the opera, adopting a dog, and interacting with other local residents. Other vignettes relate to different types of foods and wines, truffle hunting by dogs and pigs, British versus French palates, and dealing with the elements. It is not overly exciting, but it has a nice relaxing pace, is well written, and contains subtle humor.

Just what I needed for a light read while I convalesced from a cold. Who wouldn't want to be Peter Mayle, living in Provence fulltime? I suppose there are drawbacks such as the influx of summer people and the risk of forest fires but really, that seems like small flies in the ointment when you can buy fresh produce of almost any description at almost any time of the year. Or if you don't feel like cooking yourself you can go to the local cafe for a three-course lunch. Even the truck stops serve gourmet fare.

I'm sure even a cold would be more bearable in Provence. Maybe pastis would cure it completely.

Every sequel has the potential to not only be terrible, but also to ruin the memory of the original book. Fortunately "Tourjours Provence" is just as charming and cheerful as "A Year in Provence"; devotees of the original can dive in without reservations.

Excellent descriptions of a new life in Provence. Although not a current book it is timelessly entertaining. Mayle tells delightful stories that enrich the travel genre.

Another great narrative from Peter Mayle! I enjoyed A Year in Provence, so I knew I would love this one as well. I love reading about European culture---even if I don't understand a lot of what is going on. It was fun reading about the real estate agent as I have a friend (who says I'm his long-lost cousin) who is a realtor in France. Also, I loved the story of Pavarotti---makes me wonder if the woman's idea was correct! Like A Year in Provence, though, I was irritated by his many uses of the word, gastronomic. In this book he said it four times and said "gastronomy" twice. Not only does it irritate me when an uncommon word like that is used multiple times in the same work, any word with "gas" in it is so unappealing. All I can think of show more is a fat, bloated, bald guy who smells bad. Other than that, the book was great! Setting aside to pass along soon! show less