This past week, I read three novels that took place in #France. My goal throughout this project has been to read one per week, but some countries are just so rich with literature, that choosing just one feels unnecessarily restrictive.
The third novel I read was A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle. It takes place in Provence, in the 1980s.
The premise of this bestselling novel is that a British couple has decided, after a short trip to the countryside in Provence, to sell their home in the UK, pack up and move to a fixer-upper home in Provence. This story chronicles their time in their new home and village, month-by-month, throughout their first year there.
In spite of taking place in a village most of us have likely not visited, I found this story to be very relatable. We learn about adjusting to the (much slower) rhythm of life happening in a new culture; having certain expectations about how a home renovation is going to go, and experiencing a very different process due to delays for all sorts of reasons; having our 'home turf' overtaken by tourists during certain times of the year; and interacting with contractors and neighbors. The star of this story is the countryside, the quirky characters, and of course, the food and drink.
This was a fun, lighthearted book, and I enjoyed the escape it provided. I recommend it!