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A Year in Provence (Abridged) Audiobook, by Peter Mayle Play Audiobook Sample

A Year in Provence (Abridged) Audiobook

A Year in Provence (Abridged) Audiobook, by Peter Mayle Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Peter Mayle Publisher: Macmillan Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 1.83 hours at 1.5x Speed 1.38 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: October 2004 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781427208576

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

29

Longest Chapter Length:

10:04 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

02:30 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

05:57 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

17

Other Audiobooks Written by Peter Mayle: > View All...

Publisher Description

More than 40,000 listeners have enjoyed this story on cassette. Now anyone who's ever dreamed of getting away from it all can enjoy the charms and challenges of A Year in Provence on CD!

Peter Mayle and his wife had been to Provence as tourists. They had dreamed of one day trading the long, gray winters and damp summers of England for the blue skies and sunshine of the coast of southern France. And then they made it happen.

They moved into an old farmhouse at the foot of the Luberon mountains and embarked on a wonderful, if at times bewildering, new life. Among their experiences that first year: being inundated with builders and visitors, grappling with the native accent, taking part in goat races and supervising the planting of a new vineyard.

Peter Mayle personally recounts the pleasures and frustrations of Provençal life--sharing in a way no one else can, the unique and endearing culture that is Provence.

A Year in Provence was a New York Times bestseller for three years and won the British Book Awards' "Best Travel Book of the Year."

Download and start listening now!

"Nothing will make you want to pack up and move to the heat of the south of France like this book. I read this book after loving the movie this book was based upon. I adore this culture and the visual images and situations he describes are stunning. love love love"

— Shannan (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Engaging, funny and richly appreciative.

    — The New York Times
  • Stylish, witty, delightfully readable.

    — The Sunday Times (London)
  • A Francophile's delight, this is a highly entertaining book.

    — Library Journal
  • I really loved this book.

    — Julia Child

A Year in Provence Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.023809523809524 out of 54.023809523809524 out of 54.023809523809524 out of 54.023809523809524 out of 54.023809523809524 out of 5 (4.02)
5 Stars: 19
4 Stars: 9
3 Stars: 11
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 2
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 4.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 5 (4.50)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 1
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — H V Maxwell, 5/1/2019
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 3.7 A lovely, nice book. But not so much by way of plot. What I learned is that I really don't like French food, which I already kind of knew. "

    — Eliana, 2/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I liked it overall, especially the parts about food and wine but it really lacked a solid plot. The American in me couldn't understand some of the 'delights' of Provence but it felt like a little get away so I'll probably read it again at some point. It has me craving cheese and champagne now. "

    — Mandy, 2/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I read this before my trip to Paris and found his take on the French culture to be dead on. I wish I could move to France where life is slower and relationships are more important than money. "

    — Peggie, 2/10/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A delightful read that makes me want to move to Provence myself. "

    — Jessie, 2/9/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Read this book AFTER I spent a month in the south of France. That is when I really 'got it' about French country living. It made it much more fun...and real! "

    — Julia, 2/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " So delightful -- you'll feel like you're there! Mayle has a storytelling gift, and he's really funny. "

    — Rasa, 2/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was definitely not a book I would have picked up and decided to read by myself. Chosen by my book group and well recommended by my local librarian, I started reading with high expectations. While I appreciated the fine attention to detail and the lyrical way people and places were described I grew frustrated with the copious amount of French words in the book. I understand that it is a story of an English family living in France, but I do not speak French. I also felt like there was no arc in the story. It seemed more a collection of short stories for each month than a complete novel. It was ok, but I probably would not recommend it to a friend, unless I knew they spoke French and had a desire to read short stories about the people. "

    — Madison, 1/30/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A fun pre-trip read. Cute anecdotes and fun, likable characters. "

    — Amy, 1/30/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Just about booked a one-way ticket to Provence after reading this book. "

    — Les, 1/23/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Enjoyed it, but the 2 that follow are funnier "

    — Bea, 1/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A nice, light read about a beautiful and charming place. Provence is really the main character here :) "

    — Michruss2, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Love this book as I recently came back from a European adventure in the Spring. Reminds me that there is more to life than work. "

    — Kristen, 1/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " i really enjoyed getting lost in provence for a bit...altho i now want to travel there or anywhere! a great vacation read with lovely characters. i did find parts a bit overly descriptive. "

    — KaDo, 12/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Fantastic! Loved it. "

    — Corrie, 12/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " What a delightful read. "

    — Claire, 12/6/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " How the frech love to eat.....what a funny,charming book.It made be laugh and very,very hungry.3 1/2 stars! "

    — Linda, 11/20/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I'm a Francophile, so I enjoyed reading about life in Provence and the cultural references. "

    — Brooke, 10/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A complete delight, cover to cover. "

    — Sherbert, 8/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great read. Author has a dry sense of humor and a sharp eye for human foibles and cultural quirks, all presented with great humor. "

    — Ladybug, 7/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Laugh out loud funny and full of detailed delicious food descriptions. "

    — Carolyn, 6/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Excellent, funny book. Makes you want to spend a year eating your way through Povence. "

    — Wendy, 6/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I love France and have long dreamed of living the fantasy and buying a home there. This was a fun read and he does a wonderful job describing Provence is all its physical and gastronomic beauty. "

    — Jan, 6/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Everyone's read it. "

    — Jane, 5/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Fun holiday type book following year of living in beautiful countryside. Great characters that make you feel a part of the world. "

    — Miko, 11/6/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " It reminds me alot of Under the Tuscan Sun which was written considerably later- very quaint and I can enjoy it since I've studied abroad in France and lived there for a brief stint- It's quite charming... "

    — Marisa, 9/19/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is another comfort read for me. Amusing, light-hearted. "

    — Shadow, 6/22/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    — zee toner, 12/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Upon hearing of my impending trip to the south of France, my friend Alden recommended this book as a way of dipping my feet into the culture. I didn't think I'd plow through it so fast - something about Mr. Mayle's diction moved me. "

    — Shoshi, 12/27/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Loved it...even bought the PBS movie that followed the book. Well written, great beach read. Especially in this year filled with politics. "

    — Melinda, 9/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Fantastic book if you are looking for a nice summer/winter/fall/spring reading about beautiful Provence. Living in a paradise, surrounded by easy-going people in total happiness... mmm... even if you just read about it - it already makes you feel wonderful! "

    — Olga, 8/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Utterly wonderful. A great summer escape. "

    — Myev, 7/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Reminds me of where I live now, except I'm in Spain, not France. "

    — A.J., 5/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " While this was entertaining, I must say I'm a bit put off my self-involved tales written by folks with seemingly endless resources - it's all a bit smug. "

    — Lissa, 5/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Really made me want to go to France! "

    — Hannah, 5/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I got a tour of Provence for $0.25! "

    — Cory, 5/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A nice book with not much substance to it. Peter Mayle's account of a year spent living in Provence, France. Several amusing anecdotes, quite a bit of discussion about food, and not much else. "

    — Steve, 4/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " My SIL gave me this book a few years ago for Christmas. I liked it, but being set in France there's a whole lot of food talk, which I don't mind, but along with that goes a whole lot of talk about wine, which I couldn't care less about. "

    — Shauna, 4/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Loved reading about the ways of the French. Easy read and you learn some new french words. Can't wait to read his second book! "

    — Sandy, 4/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Loved it...The way Peter writes takes one away right to his back yard with his chickens and his friendly french neighbour.I want to go to France now! "

    — Lady, 4/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very amusing. It should be titled, "A Year With the French." Great, easy read. "

    — Vicki, 4/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I like memoirs (this is the second &quot;living in France&quot; memoir I've read this year), but there comes a point when I have to trudge through to finish them. Fiction is just my thing, I guess. :) Anyway, this memoir was interesting and humorous, with its insights into the French people. <br/> "

    — Kristin, 4/3/2011

About Peter Mayle

Peter Mayle (1939–2018), British-born author of several novels and books of nonfiction, spent fifteen years in the advertising business before escaping in 1975 to write books, including several New York Times bestsellers. The British Books Awards named him author of the year in 1992, and he was a recipient of the Légion d’Honneur award from the French government for his cultural contributions. His work has been translated into seventeen languages, and he has contributed to a variety of newspapers and magazines. His A Year in Provence was produced as a television series starring John Thaw and screened in 1993. The novel A Good Year was the basis for the 2006 film of the same name directed by Ridley Scott and starring actors Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard.