Encore Provence: New Adventures in the South of France (Vintage Departures)

A Year in Provence literally changed my life. I took French in high school, but I was unaware of the French people, food, and lifestyle - until I read Peter Mayle's lively and enjoyable books. He must have the dream life of living in France, drinking French wine, eating fresh seasonal foods bought fresh from the growers, and then getting paid for telling about the experiences. Such a tough life! Encore Provence is a worthy follow up to A Year in Provence and Toujours Provence. Mr. Mayle writes in a humorous, tongue in cheek fashion, and never fails to convey interesting tidbits and experiences. I love his accounts of local characters, the French mentality, the local food and restaurants, and unexpected everyday occurances such as hornet's nest, fires, sheep herders, truffle poachers, etc. He tries to portray himself as a curmudgeon, but I feel that he has a good heart, and his bark is worse than his bite. I highly enjoyed this book. It is easy, hammock or seaside, reading fare. If you liked his other books, you will definitely love this one as well. Viva la France and viva Peter Mayle.

PETER MAYLES BOOKS ARE HILARIOUS AND GREAT FUN TO READ I JUST FINISHED READING THE THRID ONE, I JUST LAUGHED MY FOOL HEAD OFF AND I CHEERED FOR THEM . I JUST LOVED ALL OF HIS BOOKS I AM READING HIS BOOK A DOGS LIFE NOW AND ENJOYING IT. I HPE HE WILL SOON WRITEANOTHER GREAT HILARIOUS BOOK LIKE HIS FRIST THREE BOOKS. I AM NOW I BIG FAN OF THIS CDELIGHTFUL MANS STORIES. AND HIS GREAT QUICK WITT. HES GREAT. I LOVE HIS BOOKS.

Peter Mayle effectivately takes us once again to beautiful Provence through his second book. His writing is witty yet very unassuming and laid back. He gives the reader vivid and often funny accounts of the land and its people. He has an uncanny ability to observe the smallest details in the Provencal locals that he meets and to express it in a very entertaining way through his books.

If you have ever visited Provence, reading "Encore Provence" will ensure a flood of pleasant memories. Homesick for Provence, Peter Mayle leaves his home in America (he is originally from England) and returns to his true love, France. What really keeps the French trim and healthy? What prevents olive oil from quickly turning rancid? How can you ease a sore throat with lavender essential oil? Peter Mayle answers these questions and more. His writing has a rare warmth and his descriptions of restaurants makes you want to experience every nuance. Whether he is visiting a distillery or explaining the process of buying a house, he tells the story with a sense of adventure. Since Peter Mayle loves to watch people more than TV he provides some interesting descriptions of village inhabitants. He tells his stories with a sense of relish and he even made Marseille sound more exciting. This book made me wish for another bottle of olive oil I found in Cassis on a weekend trip I made to Provence. It also reminded me to buy another bag of Fleur de Sel. I can also recommend: A Year in Provence ~The Rebecca Review

Love this audio book. I borrowed it from the library, but wanted to own it. Peter Mayle is a wonderful observer of character. The book is funny, poignant. The book made me hungry, too, as he describes local cooking, wines and olive oils. The narrator is excellent.

I give the book three stars because it is still informative, but I didn't have interest in the information given. A Year In Provence was more interesting and fun to read. This one and the second one are not in my eyes interesting and worth reading. I believe the author should have stayed writing about his life like he did in his first book on Provence. If you are looking to learn about life in France in Provence, the first book: "A Year In Provence," I believe it's enough on information. I wish I didn't buy the last two books.

When a book starts out with someone power washing their underwear you know you are going to be laughing out loud. This is the third book of Mr. Mayles' time in France. I read all three in quick succession. He is very witty with just the right amount of descriptions to make you feel like you are there.

Enjoyed the narrative of life in Provence, including the colorful characters. For my taste, there was a little too much of the book devoted to food- and dining-related pursuits. Having read all of his Provence series, I found this book to be the weaker of them because much of its subject matter had been portrayed in prior volumes. Very enjoyable and well-written.

Very good book. It reminded me of my holidays. Everybody is friendly and hppy - but of cause we do not live there day by day, so there will be a "dark" and dull side even in this sunlit part of the south.

This is well worth reading if you've read the first two books in the series. In fact i prefer this one to the second one, Toujours Provence, which i found a bit boring as it seemed to be re-capping "A year in Provence". This one is more exciting as it's about Peter Mayle's return to Provence after 4 years in America. I recommend it!

Maybe not quite as perfect as the other Provence books, but he really just kept on writing amazingly until the very end. Vale Peter Mayle.

bellissimo libro, molto divertente

Peter Mayle is one of the most delightful readers I have come across in a long time. He not only tells a story but includes you in every aspect of life in Provence. I have read several of his books and look forward to catching up on the stories I have not yet encountered. By the time you are done reading this and the others he has written about life in Provence, you are either mentally living there or cannot wait to physically get there....bravo Peter Mayle. You bring a smile to my face with every page!