Customer Reviews
Wonderful - better than Bryson! - By: Miss Saigon, 06 Apr 2008 
I've avoided this book until now because I remember the fuss about it at the time & experience has taught me that bestsellers are to be approached with caution, if not actuallly burnt. But my prejudice was entirely wrong - it's wonderful. Truly funny (I laughed aloud more than once) & written beautifully. The style Mayle uses - you'll recognise that amiable observer thing at once - is an oldy but a goody & 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 & 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, & something from his wife now & 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?)
Overalll, a lovely quick read - I didn't want it to end!
Witty account of a year in a foreign country - By: Julie, 16 Jun 2003 
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 & behaviours. It is a very witty account of the problems Mayle encountered trying to get settled in the new country - trying to adapt & be accepted. This reallly is one of my laugh out loud books, & 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 & see the funny side of life. If you can approach this book with that view in mind, & light-heartedly enjoy the diversity of cultures & their customs/ behaviours, you will indeed enjoy & appreciate this book.
Fantastic, could not put it down. - By: David D. Madden, 21 May 2002 I could not put it down it was very funny & 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 & the country.
Wonderfully witty read. - By: phunt@antennaaudio.net, 28 Mar 2002 This is not a high-brow expose of French culture, but rather a pleasent account of a man & 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 alll 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.
Easy reading at its best - By: , 16 Sep 2001 A wonderful easy read that should not be taken as seriously as some other reviewers have. It conjures up images of an almost idyllic lifestyle & I recognise many characters from my own village in rural Wales.
