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Book Reviews of Hotel Pastis : A Novel of Provence

Hotel Pastis : A Novel of Provence
Hotel Pastis A Novel of Provence
Author: Peter Mayle
ISBN-13: 9780679402299
ISBN-10: 0679402292
Publication Date: 9/28/1993
Pages: 389
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 25

3.8 stars, based on 25 ratings
Publisher: Knopf
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

15 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

Gracious-Granny avatar reviewed Hotel Pastis : A Novel of Provence on + 137 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
a comfortable easy book to read on a winter day, am going to read more of Mayle's books. Of course, it does make you wish you were in Provence....
reviewed Hotel Pastis : A Novel of Provence on + 38 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Another fun adventure by Peter Mayle. This story takes you through the midlife crisis of a newly divorced executive who decides to do something entirely new and open a hotel in Provence. The characters are unique, and the story is clever.
reviewed Hotel Pastis : A Novel of Provence on + 255 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
From Publishers Weekly
As fans of A Year in Provence and Toujours Provence may have suspected, Mayle\'s skills as a writer translate well into fiction. His first novel is as adroit, funny and charming as his previous works, and again it is set in his favorite region of France. Newly divorced, disenchanted and bored with his job as a director of a prestigious British ad agency, Simon Shaw is delighted when beautiful Frenchwoman Nicole Bouvier suggests that he rescue from bankruptcy a half-finished hotel in the drolly named town of Brassiere-les-Deux-Eglises. Taking a huge risk, Simon resigns from his agency and becomes patron of the new establishment in the picturesque Luberon region. In counterpoint, Mayle crosscuts to the escapades of a lovable band of criminals who are conspiring to break into the vault of a bank in the neighboring village of Isle-sur-Sorges. As the threads of the plot begin to converge, Mayle displays his satiric eye for social foibles by skewering advertising execs in England and the U.S.; he is equally adept at evoking typical Provencal villagers. Wickedly sharp and sympathetic at the same time, his characterizations are accurate down to nuances of class differences, voice, accent and vocabulary. The novel is as smooth as a sip of pastis, and one hopes that Mayle will find his segue into fiction equally addictive.
reviewed Hotel Pastis : A Novel of Provence on
Helpful Score: 1
A very comic nicely written quick read. Thoroughly enjoyed it. It also put some of my high school French to test.
reviewed Hotel Pastis : A Novel of Provence on + 55 more book reviews
A funny and entertaining book.
katycarey5 avatar reviewed Hotel Pastis : A Novel of Provence on + 11 more book reviews
this book is excellent as describing the atmosphere in France, specially in Provence. I'll highly recommend it to anyone who is planning a trip or just want to be submerge in a french culture.
cplizza avatar reviewed Hotel Pastis : A Novel of Provence on + 12 more book reviews
Light, predictable, but a fun read.
reviewed Hotel Pastis : A Novel of Provence on + 47 more book reviews
enjoyable and entertaining read
reviewed Hotel Pastis : A Novel of Provence on + 36 more book reviews
This is a charming book by the author of other books on Provence.
reviewed Hotel Pastis : A Novel of Provence on + 11 more book reviews
Absolutely loved this book.. I have been newly converted to reading Peter Mayle. I felt transported into the book.
cathyjean avatar reviewed Hotel Pastis : A Novel of Provence on + 18 more book reviews
I love Peter Mayle and all of his books. His insight into the French culture is sometimes funny and touching and sometimes trying. Great read.
cozysleuth avatar reviewed Hotel Pastis : A Novel of Provence on + 153 more book reviews
Another good story in New York and France by Peter Mayle.
Continues with characters and adds a new element with a bank robbery in the area. I found it a fun read and exciting to the last page. Interesting food and wine items too at the Inn. Brings in a new plot with a father and son from Texas.
reviewed Hotel Pastis : A Novel of Provence on + 88 more book reviews
From Publishers Weekly
As fans of A Year in Provence and Toujours Provence may have suspected, Mayle's skills as a writer translate well into fiction. His first novel is as adroit, funny and charming as his previous works, and again it is set in his favorite region of France. Newly divorced, disenchanted and bored with his job as a director of a prestigious British ad agency, Simon Shaw is delighted when beautiful Frenchwoman Nicole Bouvier suggests that he rescue from bankruptcy a half-finished hotel in the drolly named town of Brassiere-les-Deux-Eglises. Taking a huge risk, Simon resigns from his agency and becomes patron of the new establishment in the picturesque Luberon region. In counterpoint, Mayle crosscuts to the escapades of a lovable band of criminals who are conspiring to break into the vault of a bank in the neighboring village of Isle-sur-Sorges. As the threads of the plot begin to converge, Mayle displays his satiric eye for social foibles by skewering advertising execs in England and the U.S.; he is equally adept at evoking typical Provencal villagers. Wickedly sharp and sympathetic at the same time, his characterizations are accurate down to nuances of class differences, voice, accent and vocabulary. The novel is as smooth as a sip of pastis, and one hopes that Mayle will find his segue into fiction equally addictive. 100,000 first printing.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
Mayle's first novel is carefully abridged and wonderfully read by Tim Pigott-Smith. The tale is one of contrasts: the traditional values of Provence and the pressures of international business; the complexities and delights of haute cuisine and the simplicity of pastis; the diversity of values of people from Britain, France, New York, and Texas; and honest labor and a bank robbery in Provence. Some familiarity with the French language, though not required for following the action, will add considerably to the listener's enjoyment. Piggott-Smith's narration and his mastery of dialect, along with the high production quality of this audiobook, make this rendition an absolute delight for the general listener. Very highly recommended.
reviewed Hotel Pastis : A Novel of Provence on + 161 more book reviews
Did the robbers get away with it? Great story. very readable. I read it with particular attention to the descriptions of villages and restaurants in the region since I am going there shortly. A nice addition to my other reading preparation.
reviewed Hotel Pastis : A Novel of Provence on + 6 more book reviews
Loved his "A Year in Provence" book. This one is also a nice read by him.