A Month of Sundays: Villa Life in the South of France [Paperback]

Ira Spector (Author), Barbara Spector (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 24, 2003

A humorous account of an American husband and wife who stumble upon the perfect "Enchanted April" villa on the French Riviera near St-Tropez. But knowing little of the language and even less of the culture, will they find bliss - or the Bastille - as they attempt to live among the French._______Think of Peter Mayle meeting Francis Mayes on the Cote d Azur._______A Month of Sundays is a must read for those of you interested in the pros and cons of villa rentals - whether your preference is Provence, Tuscany, or any other destination. Although finding that dream villa involves more effort than booking a hotel room, the enhanced cultural experience, the extra privacy, the additional space, and the lower cost for room and board will make you wonder why you ever vacationed any other way._______"I CHUCKLED, HELD MY BREATH, SHOOK MY HEAD IN DELIGHT . . ." ~Elinor Griffith, Senior Editor, Reader's Digest

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

This book is based on actual experiences during month-long vacations at a villa rental in the South of France. Only the identities of the characters have been changed to protect them from the French taxing authorities.

About the Author

Ira Spector is the author of Last Chance (Arius Publications, 476 pages), the riveting story of an entrepreneur and a street person who team up to end homelessness in America. Ira Spector’s stories have appeared in Reader’s Digest, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Popular Electronics, and other national publications.

Barbara Spector has been a trial lawyer in Silicon Valley for more than 25 years. It was the tribulations of trials, lengthy workdays, and inundation by e-mails, faxes, and telephone calls that inspired the search for a dream vacation villa in Italy and France. Her husband, Ira, readily agreed when she threatened to smash her computer into a thousand byte-sized pieces because the hourglass stayed on the screen too long.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 222 pages
• Publisher: Arius Publications (July 24, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966036913
• ISBN-13: 978-0966036916
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,367,041 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #54 in Books > Travel > Reference & Tips > Tips

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More than a tour guide to the south of France, February 1, 2004

By 

James E. Towery (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Month of Sundays: Villa Life in the South of France (Paperback)

This is an amazingly good book. Written with wit and style, it is warm-hearted tour of the pleasures of renting a villa in the south of France. But it is also an entertaining perspective on the trials and tribulations of a couple traveling together and exploring a new world together. If you are a Francophile, you will simply love the portrait of this part of France and of the French people. It certainly motivates one to explore this lovely corner of the world. A fast and enjoyable read, the book was a pure pleasure. Lots of quiet smiles and outright laughing as I read it.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Delightful!, June 22, 2004

By 

Holly Wade (St. Louis, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Month of Sundays: Villa Life in the South of France (Paperback)

Although I am only up to page 78 of this book, I felt compelled to share with any potential readers what a joy this is! So far I have laughed out loud, sighed in envy (it has always been my dream to relocate permanantly to the South of France) and eagerly savored each page. Peter Mayle first whet my appetite for happy tales from Provence, but Ira and Barbara Spector solidified my dream. One of the reviewers on the back of the copy said it all "Absolutely Charming From the Get-Go!" This is a Keeper! I'll recommend it to all my friends, but they have to buy their own copy!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Month of Sundays: Villa Life in the South of France, February 6, 2004

By 

Carole Sorell (New York, Ny United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Month of Sundays: Villa Life in the South of France (Paperback)

"A Month of Sundays"is a joyous, witty and humorous read about the adventures of a busy American couple who spend four weeks each year in their "dream villa" in the South of France--sharing in what the French call "Farniente "--better known as "studying the inside of your eyelids". Each chapter is accompanied by by charming sketches which help tell the story. If you have been to the South of France --you will know that the Spectors are right on the "mark" or should I say "franc"--if you have never been there --the book will transport you --via your armchair-- to share in the wonderous adventures and misadventures of Americans on French turf. I liked this book so much, I gave copies to a number my friends and relatives who are now trying to "study the inside of their eyelids" to learn the Spector way to peace, tranquility and bliss.