My Twenty-Five Years in Provence cover art

My Twenty-Five Years in Provence

Reflections on Then and Now

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My Twenty-Five Years in Provence

By: Peter Mayle
Narrated by: John Lee
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About this listen

 From the moment Peter Mayle and his wife, Jennie, uprooted their lives in England and crossed the Channel permanently, they never looked back. Here the beloved author of A Year in Provence pays tribute to the most endearing and enduring aspects of his life in France—the charming and indelible parade of village life, the sheer beauty, the ancient history. He celebrates the café and lists some of his favorites; identifies his favorite villages, restaurants, and open-air markets; and recounts his most memorable meals. A celebration of twenty-five years of Provençal living—of lessons learned and changes observed—with his final book Mayle has crafted a lasting love letter to his adopted home, marked by his signature warmth, wit, and humor. Adventure Travel Europe France Travel Writing & Commentary Western Europe Adventure Village Witty Feel-Good Food Writing France Travel

Critic reviews

“Full of thoughtful reflections and trenchant observations . . . it all adds up to a better understanding of the people and culture of Provence. Mayle is astute at capturing the rhythm of life there.” —Regan McMahon, San Francisco Chronicle

“A warm, nostalgia-soaked look at the place [Mayle] loved so dearly, packed with fond recollections of the pleasures of life in the region, from pastis to Pétanque . . . An ideal summertime read.” —Lila Battis, Travel and Leisure

“This 25-year retrospective serves up the cozy cafes, refreshing rosés and joie de vivre that drew many people in Mayle’s footsteps to the sun-washed Luberon region . . . [a] well-loved writer’s contented recap of a life well lived.” —Maureen McCarthy, Minneapolis Star-Tribune

“Endearing . . . Short and sweet, these stories paint an idyllic picture of a charming, slow-paced place, the sort that might beckon for the next season of life. And with Mayle's memories, tips and powerful storytelling, you'll realize it's possible, whichever destination you pick.” —Ashley Day, USA Today

“Treads delightfully familiar ground for fans who succumbed to the charms of Mayle’s first book" —Beth J. Harpaz, Associated Press

“A bittersweet pleasure . . . While Mayle can pen a mouthwatering description of bouillabaisse, what has always drawn his readers to his writing are his loving portraits of people, community and the Provençal way of life.” —Carla Jean Whitley, BookPage

“This valedictory memoir will hold special appeal to devoted readers of his Provencal adventures as well as those in search of confirmation that daydreams do come true.” —Library Journal

“[Mayle’s] keen eye and wit are much on display in this all-new collection of writings on his times in the south of France.” —The Philadelphia Inquirer

"Fans of Mayle (who died in January) will be delighted by this final book from Provence’s most impassioned booster. . . . Composed in a uniformly bright and jocular voice, this is a breezy valedictory note for a much admired writer." --Publishers Weekly
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A gentle account of life in Provence. Predictable observations of an Englishman living in France

French Life

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I loved the book but the narrator will be avoided in future almost mechanical or computerised.

love the book

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I loved the book , really well told , and a worthy recipient of the Légion d'honneur .

My twenty-five years in Provence

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This is another charming evocation of life in Provence. It acts as a reminder of the atmosphere but lacks the cast of colourful characters that make one want to read a book a second time. The narration was good because it had the intonation of lively French speech.

Charming

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Terrible narration. Story not anywhere as good as his original ‘A year in Provence’. Disappointed.

The off-putting narration

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