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| A Summer in Gascony: Discovering the Other South of France | 
 enlarge | Author: Martin Calder
Publisher: Nicholas Brealey Publishing Ltd
Category: Book
List Price: £9.99
Buy New: £4.43
You Save: £5.56 (56%)
New (27) from £4.43
Avg. Customer Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 28746
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 256
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.9
ISBN: 1857885066
Dewey Decimal Number: 914.4730484
EAN: 9781857885064
ASIN: 1857885066
Publication Date: March 20, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: A BRAND NEW COPY DISPATCHED FROM THE UK WITHIN 48 HOURS BY ROYAL MAIL, OVERSEAS ORDERS SENT BY AIR MAIL.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
 Is it a history? Is it a eulogy? Is it a romance? October 4, 2008
An enjoyable light read which conjures up the warm south. For me there wasn't quite enough depth of any single aspect. I'd have been happy to read a whole book on the history of Gascony, or a more detailed story of the family. Jacques-Henri's unexplained disappearance is very unsatisfactory in view of the fact that he was one of the most likeable and rounded characters.
On the whole I felt that most of the characters were very thinly drawn. Anya in particular is very two-dimensional; apart from her physical attractiveness (and the fact that he chooses her from a selection of one) there is nothing to explain why Martin falls for her, and the way the romance peters out seems to confirm the vacuity of the relationship. Pattes gives a more lasting impression than Anya; I'd have hated it if the wolves got him but they could have eaten Anya and I would have been unperturbed by her loss.
Having said that, the main character of this book is Gascony itself and Martin Calder evokes the landscape, the climate, the food and the wine brilliantly. Finishing the book on a cold, wet English autumn afternoon, I could happily have gone out and caught the next train to France.
Read before and during a visit to Gascony... September 6, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
A thoroughly good read that immerses the reader in the character, history and culture of the area, in an easily palatable package. The author has done a lot of hard graft in distilling things down so you can sit back and soak up the benefits. Lots of facts are intertwined with `laugh out loud' snapshots of a university grad's experience of engaging whole heartedly with a challenging real world summer job; all based in rural southern France some 20 or so years ago. The author immerses himself into the everyday lives of a hard working family, who return his labour, good nature, positive stewardship and adaptability with mutual respect, simple pleasures, board and lodging, good food and drink, humour and probably most importantly, acceptance. This allows a level of access that wouldn't usually be offered to any old foreigner, which is what makes this work unique and enjoyable, the book conveys all this whilst also managing to connect you to the broader rhythms of the region, the land and the people - even managing to find space for love interest. The character traits of the cast were representative of the people we bumped into whilst on holiday in the region; we benefited from generous offerings to taste local produce by being able to spot a proud Gascon and discuss the details of his traditional beret, whilst buying other items from his stall.
The book is a surprisingly factual read, without being too arduous, probably due to the author's background; some chapters did make you wonder if you had picked up a history book but the diversions weren't excessive and you soon return to the plot. On the whole I'm content that a balance was struck between pandering to relaxed leisure reading and the author's instinct to educate. This actually proved to be a positive and I found I could drop impressive facts into conversation whilst visiting; I was even able to use my new knowledge as an excuse to justify buying a bottle or two of well aged local wine and acquiring some Armagnac that's only on sale in France. This aside, it's also a suitable read for anyone who likes good travel writing and I can't help paralleling the work to another well known predecessor's, who might be accused of laying on the gastronomic excesses and politics too thick by comparison. This book has a similar feel but comes from less of an ex-pat' stance, it favours more academic content and does this in an almost seamless manner with being romantic and charismatic. It's clear our author really understands and fits in to France in a way that most Brits can only aspire to but this is never overbearing, the premise being that we are receiving generous pointers to share in a genuine affection for the place.
You could be really critical and suggest that some readers might glaze over on some of the historical parts; I have to admit to flailing a bit on one of the later chapters, probably due to reading on a particularly hot August afternoon there. I don't think the author would throw his black board rubber at me in this instance though, as overall my attention was fairly constant. Many of the facts do stick in your mind, which is an admirable achievement in my case; it is fair to say that the book is never too serious and always remembers to have fun. It is more refined than Talk to the Snail, which I read just after. The latter is a good read but far less atmospheric, although this doesn't deter me from reading more from this author when visiting Paris later in the year; the second course offered a more urbanite view and a grittier Parisian vibe. This is an issue covered by both authors but A Summer in Gascony was better for my particular circumstances and perfect as a dreamy holiday read. It is probably worth saying that visiting the area is not a pre-requisite for enjoying the book though, like many people I've never been to Provence but still enjoyed reading about the region, for me this book has taken the yellow jersey for now.
For anyone that has spent time abroad..... July 7, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
How this book transported me to the times of my first solo forays to a foreign land. Every new discovery that Martin describes brought back the giddy excitement of learning to live life through another culture. I am quite sure that anyone that has spent time in a foreign country will enjoy this read. The gentle introduction to Gascon history and the unfolding commentary on Martin's acceptance by the locals enchanted me and left me yearning for the emotion of those carefree days as a languages student abroad. The tender narrative of Martin's blossoming friendship with Anja made my heart swell and wish myself back in the days of learning love beneath the French sun.
I did not know what to expect when I started reading this book, but can honestly say that I was very pleasantly surprised and wholeheartedly recommend this book.
Beautifully written... May 11, 2008
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
Im normally one for reading history books about kings, politicians and intrigue. I brush past the travel section of the library without a second thought - I won't go to many of the places on the shelves so why should I care. However by pure chance this book caught my eye and thankfully I took it off the shelf to flick through the first few pages.
This is a beautifully crafted story and so well written you could easily forget that you are reading about somebody else's story and not your own. The author vividly recalls the people, the sights, the smells and the emotions. I read a sizeable portion of this book during a very warm day in May and I could easily imagine I was in Gascony (albeit the illusion was ruined by the occasional passing Glaswegian accent).
Its a credit to the author that when you begin to reach the end of the book and he is saying goodbye to people like Jacques-Henri, Madame 'Parle-Beaucoup' and Monsiuer Fustignac - you can almost imagine you are there saying goodbye with him (to the extent that you have a lump in your throat). But one of the most bitter sweet scenes is the farewell to his summer love - Anja. Its at that point the magic of summer begins to fade. he says himself later that his summer in Gascony was like a 'golden capsual'. He then boards a ship back to Britain and you do get the sense that while he is going back to his old life - he is not going back to it the same person.
A nice touch is the final chapter of the book when he returns to Gascony about 20 years later (apprx). I would say this is a weaker part of the book as he could have had a bit more detail about what happened to Jacques-Henri (it isnt that clear if Jacques-Henri has died or done a runner!!!).
Please read this book - its not just about a summer in Gascony. Its about taking a journey and arriving back where you started, but seeing the world anew.
We agree with the Californian visitors to the Auberge: 'Just what we'd been looking for' May 4, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Martin's story sympathetically lifts the lid on the Comminges in Gascony and its proud people. A easy read with bite size historic facts which suggest 'the Gascons seem to feel closer in some ways to England than they do to northern France'.
The setting for 'A Summer in Gascony' is Peguilhan, between Boulogne-sur-Gesse and L'Isle-en-Dodon.
Martin describes the local vegetables, the herbs and even how he learnt to slaughter sheep 'that were a little bigger than lambs, but still not fully grown' and gained Jacques-Henri's true respect.
He discovers 'a world far removed from the trappings of modern tourism'. His story describes an ever changing landscape of actively maintained farmland where people make time for each other.
Martin is certainly relieved when Madame Parle-Beaucoup defends him after 'two old regulars propped up the end of the bar' upon discovering Martin is English ask 'are you a 'ooligan?'.
After touring France for a couple of weeks a pair of Californian visitors found 'this place just by accident' and admit they'd found 'just what we'd been looking for'.
Here Martin gives us an insight to a special place 'hidden quietly away in southeast Gascony' between the folds of gently undulating hills and a backdrop of majestic mountains.
A Summer in Gascony is a really good read - just what we'd been looking for.
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