My Twenty-Five Years in Provence

Reflections on Then and Now

By: Peter Mayle

Narrated by: John Lee

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.

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

Lovely!

It was a lovely visit to Provence! What a treat! Enjoyed the relaxed pace and the speakers voice was well suited.

I couldn’t finish it

The narrator is rough. The story was probably good, but I just couldn’t get through his weird intonations.

Delightful as always

Peter Mayle’s way of spinning a tale brings the reader into his world in a delightful entertaining manner. I’ve enjoyed all the books he has written about his life in Provence. I was extremely saddened to hear of his passing.

Pleasant faire

I liked the narrator — unlike another reviewer, I did not find him pompous at all. Instead, he had a quality of tongue-in-cheek humor to his voice and intonation that I found charmingly fitted the text he was reading.

Wonderful visit to France with out leaving home

By an adopted "son" who embrace the quirks with love and joy. A summer favorite.