The Magic of Provence: Pleasures of Southern France [Paperback]

Yvone Lenard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 8, 2001

When Yvone Lenard returned to her native France and purchased a house in a hilltop village of Provence, an enchanted world of food, wines, and unusual adventures–including chicken rustling, flirtatious advances from neighbors, and a séance–opened up before her. This is her account of the spell cast on her by Provence, from her first morning’s visit by a charming prince bearing a jug of the village’s vin rose to the growth of her friendship with a duchess in the local chateau. Lenard shares tales of travels to St. Tropez and visits from American friends who find unexpected romance and magic in Provence. Told with verve, wit, and Lenard’s deep understanding of the French language and culture, this memoir includes tales of others who have been drawn to the region, including Vincent van Gogh, Brigitte Bardot, and Princess Caroline of Monaco. Ways to re-create the magic of the region’s sensuous way of life include recipes for food and drinks, as well as tips for entertaining in the Provençal style.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

On an impulse, during the final hours of a year-long stay in France, the author and her husband, who live in Los Angeles, bought a run-down house in a village in the Luberon mountains of Provence, gave vague instructions to a contractor for its restoration and left for home. When they returned the following summer, they found that, miraculously, the house had been renovated exactly as they wished. And so begins this enchanting collection of essays in which Lenard, the author of several textbooks on French language and culture, tells of a vacation home in a fairy-tale town where a duchess in straitened circumstances lives in an ancient castle, the townspeople are friendly and other Americans rush to find similar ruins to renovate. The village begins to work its magic when the husband of the duchess's niece, a deposed prince from a neighboring European country, acts as their welcoming committee. Soon, neighbors share drinks and conversation at the village caf?, aged pensioners help Lenard water flowers in the square and her husband, Wayne, is invited on a ghost-hunting expedition to the local cemetery. Not everything runs smoothly: a gardener hired to care for their plants takes their money and never shows up; a cleaning lady turns nasty. For the most part, however, life in the village is delightful, and Lenard describes it with wit and affection. Adding to the book's appeal, tempting Proven?al recipes end each chapter. (Mar.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Seduced by the prospect of living the good life in the sensuous land of sunshine, olive groves, and vineyards, another American encounters la vie Provencale. This time the American is actually French-born and buys an ancient, broken-down house in the mountainous Luberon on impulse after a teaching stint in Aix-en-Provence. But the house's restoration is of little significance here; Lenard wants to tell the stories of the people she encounters. She finds herself living next to a castle and befriends its chic expatriate royalty. Lenard crafts narratives skillfully, and her recounting of a disastrous Aida performed in a monumental Roman ruin is hilarious. She concludes most chapters with simple recipes, including kir, vegetable tarts, baked Alaska, and creme brulee. How these recipes succeed in American kitchens depends on whether ingredients in domestic markets measure up to those from Provencal market towns. Mark Knoblauch --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Broadway (May 8, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767906829
• ISBN-13: 978-0767906821
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 1 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,177,249 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #77 in Books > Travel > Europe > France > Provence

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm Going to France, July 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Magic of Provence: Pleasures of Southern France (Hardcover)

I was introduced to this book by a friend who's travelled extensively around the world and visited France several times. He was really taken by the book because he always thought Provence was pretty special, but for some reason he could never quite explain why. This book, he said, captured the ambience and spirit of Provence like nothing else he had ever read on the subject. He thought I might find it a good read even though I've never even been to France.

Boy was he ever right! This book is wonderful. The author writes in a way that makes you feel almost as if you know her. I like that. Best of all, the stories carried me away to Southern France, and the recipes--some of which I actually decide to try--brought the "magic" of Provence to my house. Now, I've got to go to France. I may even take up French . . .

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun, I felt like I was in Provence!, May 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Magic of Provence: Pleasures of Southern France (Hardcover)

This book lets you join in the adventure of living in Provence. You can practically feel the sunshine, and taste the wine. All the people seem like neighbors. I can't wait to try some of the recipes. If you can't travel to Provence, or are considering it, this is the book to read.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brings Provence to Life, March 15, 2002

By 

K. Wallace (San Gabriel, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Magic of Provence: Pleasures of Southern France (Paperback)

My wife and I discovered this book just before a planned trip to Provence. Yvone's tales of her lovely village of Ansouis inspired us to seek it out and it was everything she describes, down to the quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful Chateau. If you are planning a trip to France, or just dreaming of one, this book will inspire you. The stories are filled with humor and passion, and her love of the people and region are evident on every page--never patronizing or condescending. As a bonus, she shares recipes at the end of each chapter--we have tried several and they are delicious! We are looking forward to reading her new book, "Love in Provence."