This was one of my book club choices and most of us enjoyed it hugely,for its quirky style: vivid visual images, observational humour and surreal eccentricity. As we resisted the temptation to over-analyse the story and bizarre characters, the general feeling was that with a book like this you just go with it, let it take you wherever it will. If you do, for sure it will make you laugh. Worth noting though that occasionally some words could shock and the mood could suddenly switch to poignant, all of which helps to keep the reader awake and riveted.Within our group the majority loved it, one firmly disliked it, put off in the first instance by sloppy syntax; and a couple more had reservations, regarding it as mundane and excessively repetitive, with some confusion over characters.It could be seen as a send-up or pastiche of a particular genre, such as Toujours Provence, Driving over Lemons and other such memoirs that extol the Mediterranean life. Someone thought it had parallels with The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series; another recalled certain similarities in Clochemerle.Perhaps it is derivative, but more likely an extreme, possibly unique take on French village life; the gutsy, earthy, freshly-killed and straight-to-the-table food; the ‘perpetual cassoulet’; the gently competitive picnic ‘snacks’, all this satirical stuff was a joy to read. Hints that this is actually set in modern times (supermarket leather sandals), not the mediaeval era, clicked with me gradually! The person who recommended the book did mention that another book by the same author did not hold the same magic for her.The Matchmaker of Perigord offers wonderful satire not only on French food but also on the parochial community, with plenty of scope for farce provided by the municipal, communal shower, and a most unlikely dating agency.For entertainment the majority might give it five stars, maybe as a group we would have to agree on four! Very charming. It took me a while to get into the book, but as I met the various characters it got easier and easier. Perigord is a small village in France and the story is about the inhabitants of the village and their pursuit of good food, washing oneself and love. I loved the fact that the characters are middle-aged adults who have a past as well as a yen for a loving future. The descriptions of food -- growing it, preparing it, and consuming it, will make any foodie want to read this book.
What do You think about De Dorpskapper Van Amour (2007)?
This was a silly story. But the eccentricities of the characters dragged on a bit towards the end.
—bookworm12
A witty, sarcastic, unique, insightful use of the English (and French) language.
—samhead
Very delightful and whimsical. Not everyone will like it but I enjoyed it.
—Anshula
