French Lessons, Peter Mayle
French Lessons, Peter Mayle
2 Rating(s)
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French Lessons
Adventures with Knife, Fork and Corkscrew

Author: Peter Mayle

Narrator: Simon Jones

Unabridged: 5 hr 45 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/08/2001


Synopsis

A delightful, delicious, and best-selling account of the gustatory pleasures to be found throughout France, from the beloved author of A Year in Provence.

The French celebrate food and drink more than any other people, and Peter Mayle shows us just how contagious their enthusiasm can be. We visit the Foire aux Escargots. We attend a truly French marathon, where the beverage of choice is Château Lafite-Rothschild rather than Gatorade. We search out the most pungent cheese in France, and eavesdrop on a heated debate on the perfect way to prepare an omelet. We even attend a Catholic mass in the village of Richerenches, a sacred event at which thanks are given for the aromatic, mysterious, and breathtakingly expensive black truffle. With Mayle as our charming guide, we come away satisfied (if a little hungry), and with a sudden desire to book a flight to France at once.

About The Author

Peter Mayle spent 15 years in the advertising business before becoming a full-time writer. This is his eighth book. He lives in the South of France.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Renata on November 12, 2016

Peter Mayle might even convince readers who have no interest in France and are perfectly happy with a burger or a pizza to yearn for the countryside of France and their ability to turn the most mundane of foods into a sublime meal. My husband and I listened to the book again on our recent trip up to......more

Goodreads review by Jessica on May 29, 2007

If the goal of this book is to make the reader want to go on a food tour of France, then it 100% succeeded as far as I am concerned. The food descriptions in "French Lessons" were mouthwatering. I never wanted to eat frog legs until I read Mayle's descriptions of their buttery garlicy goodness.......more

Goodreads review by TraceyL on January 27, 2020

A fun little book about various French food traditions Peter Mayle came across during his travels through France. I've read better food and travel memoirs, but this is still good. Some of the stories were more interesting than others.......more

Goodreads review by Em on July 10, 2018

Affable and conversational in tone, I found this book entertaining and I'm glad I liberated it from my parent's spare bedroom bookshelf. It does tick a few boxes for me, being that it covers travel and food, two of my favourite things to read about!......more

Goodreads review by Julia Edelweiss on February 07, 2022

This is the second book I've read by Peter Mayle (the first one is "A Year in Provence"). It is a funny and informative book, with details about the food festivals around France. Festivals that celebrate the eating of snails, or frogs legs, or cheese, or drinking wine. If you have never heard of fleur......more


Quotes

“Delectable . . . as satisfying as a meal in a Michelin-rated three-star restaurant.” —USA Today

“Mayle’s descriptions are as mouth watering as the food he samples.” —Rocky Mountain News

“So evocative you can almost feel the bib tied around his chin and sip the last drop of Bordeaux at the bottom of his glass.” —The Washington Post

“Charming. . . . [Peter Mayle] whets the reader’s appetite for all things French. Even frog legs. Or especially frog legs.” —Nashville City Paper

“Armchair diners will doubtless find the fourth volume…as tasty as ever.” —New York Magazine

“Savory, sensual, positively transporting stories about his encounters with Gallic gustatory delights and about his growing appreciation of the central place food occupies in French life…. His descriptions of the meals they serve allow us to practically taste the frog legs and truffles right along with him.” —Booklist

“Whether you’re going to France or just to eat, Mayle is worth reading.” —San Jose Mercury News

“Foodies and Francophiles will discover a like-minded devotee. And all but the strictest vegetarian will be made hungry by this book. Mayle’s form is every bit as good as ever.” —The Associated Press