A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle

Genre: Non-fiction, Travel
Length: 207 pages

Reviewed by: Elaina Westfield

"The year began with lunch."

So begins A Year in Provence, Peter Mayle’s humorous account of his introduction to French country life. English by birth, Mr. Mayle and his wife relocate to the Mediterranean province, where they dream of experiencing Provencal culture in all its fullness. Before they have a chance to settle in, however, the peculiarities of local life take them on a journey they never imagined.

This light-hearted look at daily life in rural France makes a delightful read. The author’s talent for story-telling and incisive wit give character to the narrative beyond that of a simple journal. Personalities are as endearing as they are eccentric, while age-old customs are explored and celebrated with great enthusiasm. A strong peppering of French enhances the native flavor throughout.

The down-to-earth tone of the book is appealing, as it touches upon aspects of human nature and experience which are familiar to everyone, regardless of location. However, the author’s candid style does include the occasional off-color reference and some rough language. These references are generally mild and sometimes expressed in French.

I enjoyed this book immensely and would eagerly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in travel, culture, or simply being entertained by the eccentricities of the world. Provence is brought to life in its pages, and even now I feel drawn to enter into that world once more.

Note: A Year in Provence is followed by its sequel Toujours Provence.