My 25 years in Provence

A quarter of a century ago, the author and his wife Jennie went on an inconspicuous holiday to Nice and turned their lives upside down. Although at first it looked like the holiday would not be worth it because it was raining all the time. They wanted to escape the bad weather in England to the promised paradise, and now this! They decided to return home, where, surprisingly for the local conditions, the weather calmed down. But on the way back, they decided to take a car through the Provence area, and the weather decided to make up for its ugly behaviour... Then all they had to do was settle down in one of the countless cafes, have a cup of coffee and love for life was born. They moved there and never regretted their decision.

In this tribute to one of the most picturesque places on Earth, Mayle recalls his beginnings in a new environment and describes the daily routines of the locals, folk healing, business, restaurants, neighborhood joys and worries, gastronomic specialties and the inherent good wine. We also get a glimpse into the author's thoughts, observations and fascination with the landscape.

Even though we see the gradual penetration of bustle, business and globalisation into the sleepy French province, it is still a good place to live, according to the author.

This is the author's final memoir and surely cannot be missed in the library because it again contains what readers often and gladly return to his books for - the joy of life.