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| A Year in Provence | 
 enlarge | Author: Peter Mayle
Publisher: Penguin
Category: Book
List Price: £7.99
Buy Used: £0.01
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New (33) from £1.75
Avg. Customer Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 11616
Media: Paperback
Edition: New edition
Pages: 224
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.9
ISBN: 0140296034
Dewey Decimal Number: 910
EAN: 9780140296037
ASIN: 0140296034
Publication Date: June 1, 2000
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: Dispatched from the US -- Expect delivery in 2-3 weeks. Great condition for a used book! Minimal wear. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy!
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| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
 A Year of Surprises November 4, 2008
This book provides a very intimate view of the author's experiences during his first year of living in Provence in the southeastern part of France. Most of the experiences represent the every day ones we all go through e.g. hiring someone to do work on our house, meeting neighbors through a party, etc. However, the people in Provence have a decidedly different perspective and character, and thus these ordinary experiences appear strange, fascinating and entertaining. This effect comes in part from Mr. Mayle's wit, writing style and emotional reactions to the events of his life. I particularly liked his description of the dress (leather), method of arrival (motorcycle) and behavior and attitudes of students coming into a certain town-absolutely precious. As with the French, food and drink in a Mayle book take an exalted status.
Wonderful - better than Bryson! April 6, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I've avoided this book until now because I remember the fuss about it at the time and experience has taught me that bestsellers are to be approached with caution, if not actually burnt. But my prejudice was entirely wrong - it's wonderful. Truly funny (I laughed aloud more than once) and written beautifully. The style Mayle uses - you'll recognise that amiable observer thing at once - is an oldy but a goody and he's much more elegant than Bill Bryson.
What's also interesting is the fact it's twenty years old now, which makes me wonder how much Provence has changed and whether the book is as much a slice of late eighties life, a historical piece, as the people in the book themselves.
The only thing I would have liked was more background detail about Mayle himself, and something from his wife now and then. It appears she doesn't speak - I don't think she gets a single line of direct quote. (Perhaps she wanted it that way?)
Overall, a lovely quick read - I didn't want it to end!
 Witty account of a year in a foreign country June 16, 2003
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
A Year in Provence ... Peter Mayle is a master of wit in this book. He seems to effortlessly bring his characters to life with their amusing quirks and behaviours. It is a very witty account of the problems Mayle encountered trying to get settled in the new country - trying to adapt and be accepted. This really is one of my laugh out loud books, and I would recommend it as such. Most countries/cultures have a few funny little quirky behaviours, that can be considered amusing if you can step back and see the funny side of life. If you can approach this book with that view in mind, and light-heartedly enjoy the diversity of cultures and their customs/ behaviours, you will indeed enjoy and appreciate this book.
Fantastic, could not put it down. May 21, 2002
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I could not put it down it was very funny and has introduced me to his other books. Despite what some other reviews might say it is not a poke at the French people. It is very obvious that Mayle is in love with the people and the country.
Wonderfully witty read. March 28, 2002
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
This is not a high-brow expose of French culture, but rather a pleasent account of a man and his wife doing what I wish I could, moving permanently to a quiet French village.
It's obvious that Peter Mayle is not short of a few pounds as he seems able to afford all rennovations to his house (any-one wishing to read an account of pennyless people moving to a foreign country should read 'Extra Virgin' by Annie Hawes) but this is not a DIY book either.
Peter Mayle has an effortless way to make his writing feel like a long letter to a friend.
You will not discover any ground breaking revelations here but, as one who spends time with an adopted continental family, I recognised many of the quirks which Peter Mayle describes (and my continental partner did not find it in the least offensive either). If you dont have a funny bone, dont read this book.
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