What do You think about French Lessons: Adventures With Knife, Fork, And Corkscrew (2002)?
My family and I listened to the audiobook of this on a roadtrip over to Nova Scotia when I was maybe 11 years old. And 11 years later, I still remember it. It was such a bonding experience, and we all still make references to certain favourite "scenes", even now. I still tell all my friends about it, and I definitely want to read it/re-listen to it. I think it's one of those books that stick with you your whole life. I'm probably biased because of my initial experience, but I feel like this is definitely a book to be shared; maybe to read aloud with a partner/spouse every evening, or to listen to as an audiobook on a road trip with friends or family, like I did. Sharing it with others like you share great food! Having other people to laugh along with as you read definitely amplifies the joy.
—Jenn
Peter Mayle is to be envied. Some people's work involves overseeing hundreds of people and managing the affairs of a business that skirts bankruptcy every other day. Some put their life in peril, fighting fires or confronting criminals. Some are pushed to their physical limits putting in long hours on the factory floor. Mayle, on the other hand, must roam France and subject himself to its extraordinary culinary pleasures, then regale readers with stories of this most dreadful task. Mayle is an author who loves France, and after dining with him vicariously through French Lessons, it's easy to understand why. How can one resist a people who love food this much? A retired barfly refers to cuisine as the religion of France, and it's a religion that's quite robust. Mayle visits festival after festival celebrating local delicacies -- truffles, snails, vintage wine -- and immerses himself fully in the traditional celebrations of these foodstuffs. It's either the French gift for cooking or Mayle's for writing, but he does manage to make the task of delivering a slug from its shell sound not only fun, but appetizing. Part of the fun of the book is that Mayle always finds someone passionate to dine with, and they both drink themselves silly. Although the book seems written mostly to entertain, Mayle's emphasis on eating quality food for pleasure supported the principles Mireille Guiliano demonstrated in French Women Don't Get Fat. This is a quick, zesty, and entertaining read.
—Stephen
This was a pleasant book. There's not much to say about it other than that. It was an easy read, easy to read for small periods of time, or directly before going to bed, due to the undemanding writing and subject material. I found the chapters on frogs and snails interesting, if unappetizing, and was really interested in the chapter on blood sausage, so I was really let down when it was a little fake-out chapter. A lot of the other chapters seemed to be more about the people than the food, which I guess is really the point. In France those two categories are not easily separated. I feel like I grasp French culture as well as cuisine a little better, and am perhaps a little more interested in visiting some parts of France now. and now I know that if I ever want another pleasant, undemanding read, I can pick up some more Peter Mayle.
—Crystal
