Hotel Pastis

A Novel of Provence

By: Peter Mayle

Narrated by: Toby Longworth

Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

A beguiling novel of romance, adventure, and tongue-in-cheek suspense set in the South of France, from the beloved, bestselling author of A Year in Provence.

Simon Shaw, a rumpled, fortyish English advertising executive, has decided to leave it all behind, and heads of to France to transform an abandoned police station in the Luberon into a small but world-class hotel. On his side, Simon has a loyal majordomo and a French business partner who is as practical as she is ravishing. But he hasn't counted on the malignant local journalist—or on the mauvaise types who have chosen the neighboring village as the site of their latest bank robbery. Slyly funny and overflowing with sensuous descriptions of the good life, Hotel Pastis is the literacy equivalent of a four-star restaurant.

©1993 Escargot Productions, Ltd. (P)2023 Tantor

Great listen!

At first I had a difficult time understanding the plot as there are two main lines going on. But once I got into it- very well written and a definite page turner!

Hooked on Mayle’s Provence

Using the author’s advertising background, the story proceeds seamlessly with believable descriptions, characters and dialogue

The interweaving of plots is excellent

Strangely enough, I, a law abiding citizen, found myself rooting for the bank robbers. Peter Mayle's description of the food and scenery and local characters is well honed and absorbing

Clever, funny plot! Awesome setting/characters.

If you are only familiar with A Year in Provence and related books by Peter Mayle, you may be shocked by this (and a few other books he has written, like several mysteries, "Where Did I Come From", and a few more). The descriptions and characters are developed as beautifully as in AYIP. But this is a novel and focuses on some specific characters, my favorites of which are a group of incompetent criminals who plan to rob a bank. (That part is a bit reminiscent of the movie Larceny, Inc and its remake, Small Time Crooks). I have read this book several times over the past 30 years. It's so enjoyable. And I have waited for the audio version! I find the narrator reads rather rapidly, spoiling some of my enjoyment (hence 4 stars for Performance). So I use the speed adjustment and listen at 0.9X or 0.85X speed so I can savor all of the descriptive language. Give it a try if you like to read about Provence and good food and wine and if you like to laugh!

A favorite Peter Mayle book!

Has been one of my favorite Peter Mayle books! Have read in many times, when I want to escape to Provence. Find the characters to be delightful. So happy to find it on Audible.

Great story!

A wonderfully woven tale of a life style changing decision that leads to intrigue, suspense and immerses the reader into the characters of Provence! I thoroughly enjoyed it!!!

Worth a listen

Mayle’s style took me into a visual experience with a little bit of love, adventure, and intrigue. Not too much but just enough to keep my attention, A parallel story line is good too. The narrator is excellent. What a pleasure to have a story different from the all to often divorcee goes to France to dig up some dead relative’s secrets or to find love.

Started recommending to friends before I even finished the book 😃

Loved it all! Fantastic reader and great story- I laughed out loud a ton!! Also felt like I was on vacation the entire story- fantastic characters and descriptions

Hard to believe this is from Peter Mayle

I have been a big fan of Peter Mayle but this book, and it’s performance, was very unpleasant.