An Englishman Abroad (A Year in Provence - Peter Mayle)

Member Name: scribus impius

Product:	A Year in Provence - Peter Mayle
Date:	12/11/00 (45 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very amusing and well written

Disadvantages: Patronising at times

I'm sure that the majority of people in Britain - and across the world by now - will have read and been enchanted by Peter Mayall's sumptuously written and highly evocative portrayal of French life.
The anecdotes and observations are penetrating, and as a veteran of countless Gallic forays and A-level French myself I was soon smiling and nodding in silent agreement. I too have wondered at the correct number of kisses to award a lucky mademoiselle, and cringed over whether to treat her gnarled maman to the same affection. This and countless others will leave you laughing out loud at times, and it is hard not to remember them whenever anyone refers to our dear European neighbours.
Having said this, there are certain flaws with Mayall's work. With a long history of journalism, it is not surprising that he always remains aloof from the French peasantry. Reading his work, it seems like he regards the French not so much as equals but as amusing children fumbling about in the sun for his oh-so sophisticated amusement. Although he mocks the English attitudes to the French and glorifies in his stress-free and apparently liberated life in the carefree south of France, there are a few slight and fleeting references to his 'work'. This is, at the end of the day, just another way of him to make money. Not a work of emotion or a labour of love. Even so, it is still an extremely good book, well worth the read even if the author is a bit patronising and dreamy from time to time. The writing and the laughs more than make up for this.

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