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Audiobooks > Travel >  Europe > French Lessons: Adventures with Knife, Fork and Corkscrew

Download French Lessons: Adventures with Knife, Fork and Corkscrew Audiobook

Extended Audio Sample French Lessons: Adventures with Knife, Fork and Corkscrew Audiobook, by Peter Mayle Click for printable size audiobook cover
3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 3.00 (4,009 ratings) (rate this audio book) Author: Peter Mayle Narrator: Simon Jones Publisher: Penguin Random House Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download Audio Length: Release Date: May 2001 ISBN: 9780739300428
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Ranging far from his adopted Provence, Mayle now travels to every corner of France armed with knife, fork, and corkscrew. He takes us to tiny, out-of-the-way restaurants, starred Michelin wonders, local village markets, annual festivals, and blessed vineyards.

We visit the Foire aux Escargots at Martigny-les-Bains—a whole weekend devoted to the lowly but revered snail. We observe the Marathon du Médoc, where runners passing through the great vineyards of Bordeaux refresh themselves en route with tastings of red wine (including Château Lafite-Rothschild). There is a memorable bouillabaisse in a beachside restaurant on the Côte d’Azur. And we go on a search for the perfect chicken that takes us to a fair in Bourg-en-Bresse. There is a Catholic mass in the village of Ri-cherenches, a sacred event at which thanks are given for the aromatic, mysterious, and breathtakingly expensive black truffle. We learn which is the most pungent cheese in France in Normandy, witness a debate on the secret of the perfect omelette, and pick up a few luscious recipes along the way. There is even an appreciation and celebration of an essential tool for any serious food-lover in France—the Michelin Guide.

Here we have all the glory and pleasure of the French table in the most satisfying book yet from the delightfully entertaining Peter Mayle.

Download and start listening now!

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Quotes & Awards

  • 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

Listener Opinions

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Sheila | 2/16/2014

    " Hysterically funny. A series of contemplations, loosely food related. I could read this over and over. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Kristin | 2/8/2014

    " If you are going to France, you MUST buy this book. It's hilarious and gives you such a great perspective on the French people and their food. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Nancy | 1/24/2014

    " A collection of essays on various festivals, all food related, in France. As usual, Mayle's style is breezy and humorous. A pleasant read. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Rich | 1/24/2014

    " A book any gastronome will love. Each chapter details a food or wine festival that the author visited in France. From truffles to cheeses and frogs, the stories will make you laugh and your stomach growl. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 pythonbootjwp | 1/21/2014

    " Loved this book and the three others in the series. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Emily | 1/19/2014

    " I didn't think it was as good as Mayle's previous books set in France (A Year in Provence, etc.), but anyone interested in French food and food culture will find this an interesting read, if somewhat lacking in the panache of the earlier installments. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Lynn Palin | 1/16/2014

    " I want to visit him in France! "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Jamie | 1/14/2014

    " Interestingly yummy! "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Drianne | 1/6/2014

    " The British ex-pat's look at various food festivals of France. Mmm, French food. This book made me *so* hungry; if I drank wine, I'm sure it would've made me thirsty as well. As it is, I desperately want to go on vacation now. Vive la France! "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Joe | 12/28/2013

    " Recommended because of my culinary interests. I remember waking up one day while reading this book. I was dreaming about eating breakfast. There was course after course being served, one with each time my snooze button went off. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Lavinia | 12/18/2013

    " Considering how much I enjoyed A Year in Provence, I sort of expected to like this one a bit more. It wasn't bad, how can anything related to food and drinks be bad?, but there were (boring) moments when I wanted to put it down and be done with it. "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Rossitsa | 12/13/2013

    " Started more promising than it continued. Not a bad pass-time but nothing spectacular. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Isobel | 12/6/2013

    " Not as good as A Year in Provence or Toujours Provence, but still an amusing book. Devout Mayle readers may recognize many of the stories from his other books. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Catherine | 10/20/2013

    " When I can't go to France, I read this. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Phil | 10/18/2013

    " Mildly interesting essays on how the French celebrate food and wine through various festivals. Interesting if you're a French foodie, only so-so as a travel essay. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Kristy | 9/25/2013

    " loved a year in provence - this was great as well. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Kristin Langley | 8/24/2013

    " I have read this two times now and enjoyed it as much the second time as the first. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Lizette | 7/17/2013

    " awesome. i MUST get to france..... "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 C2015 | 6/24/2013

    " Listened to this on audio. A delight. Simon Jones was great and I laughed out loud many times. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Natalia Perdana | 6/12/2013

    " A perfectly enjoyable read...great observation put into great writing! "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Kevin Wilhelm | 2/5/2013

    " A great read. I'm ready to enjoy all of the food and wine in the South of France! "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Carla Jean | 3/12/2012

    " The last Peter Mayle book I read wasn't my favorite, but I enjoyed it. I got about halfway through this one, left it in a friend's car and was without it for a week... and didn't miss it. Ah, well. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Tracy | 1/15/2012

    " I'm ready for another trip to France after reading this book. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Melissa | 1/11/2012

    " I am preparing for a trip to France in late summer. So I am reading and re-reading books to get me in the mood! I read Peter Mayle years ago and enjoyed the books thouroughly. The second time around it remains jaunty and fun and oh so French! "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 EngIIrockz | 11/17/2011

    " French festivals and fine eating experiences are written up with humor and taste. This book makes me long to visit France and munch my way across the countryside! "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Kaaren Douglas | 9/9/2011

    " I have enjoyed his novel, and his stories about his life in Provence, but this one not so much. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Coral | 7/26/2011

    " Interesting, but not the thing to read when you're hungry; you'll get drool all over. Unfortunately, when we were in France, we didn't try any of the crazy food he wrote about. Although I did have some amazing lavendar icecream. "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 J. | 7/17/2011

    " Picked this easy to read book at the airport in Nice. Just a fun "no brainer" book on Peter Mayle's further adventures and love of France. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Kelly Boville | 4/17/2011

    " Great book, quite funny and very descriptive of the food, the places and the people. Well worth the read and makes me want to travel to France to enjoy the festivals spoken of in the book. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Nancy | 4/7/2011

    " A collection of essays on various festivals, all food related, in France. As usual, Mayle's style is breezy and humorous. A pleasant read. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Kevin | 3/29/2011

    " A great read. I'm ready to enjoy all of the food and wine in the South of France! "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Tina | 3/16/2011

    " Peter Mayle is a fantastic author...love his writing style! His works always make me hungry for some fine French cuisine. This book wasn't ask fantastic as his A Year In Provence, but it had some witty stories :) "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Hope | 2/1/2011

    " Read for book club. I SO want to go back to Europe. I think I even want to try snails and frogs legs! "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Emily | 1/20/2011

    " I didn't think it was as good as Mayle's previous books set in France (A Year in Provence, etc.), but anyone interested in French food and food culture will find this an interesting read, if somewhat lacking in the panache of the earlier installments. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Lynnette | 12/26/2010

    " Peter Mayle is a genius. He is one of my all time favorite authors. The only problem is that I am reading about France instead of being in France. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Tracy | 10/23/2010

    " I'm ready for another trip to France after reading this book. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Lisa | 10/17/2010

    " I really enjoy Peter Mayle's books because he cracks me up. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Phil | 9/8/2010

    " Mildly interesting essays on how the French celebrate food and wine through various festivals. Interesting if you're a French foodie, only so-so as a travel essay.
    "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Rani | 8/19/2010

    " Not my favorite foodie book ever but did get me excited about visiting France again. And perhaps trying escargot. Loose vignettes that are charming individually but didn't really cohere into a whole story. Consequently was not exactly a page turner. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Kristy | 7/20/2010

    " loved a year in provence - this was great as well. "

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About the Author
Author Peter Mayle

Peter Mayle is a British author famous for his series of books detailing life in Provence, France. His work has been translated into more than twenty languages and include Toujours Provence, Hotel Pastis, A Dog’s Life, and Chasing Cézanne. A Year in Provence won the British Book Awards “Best Travel Book of the Year.” A recipient of the Legion of Honor from the French government for his cultural contributions, he lives in Provence, France, with his wife.

About the Narrator

Simon Jones is an AudioFile Earphones Award-winning narrator. He has appeared in the films The Devil’s Own, Twelve Monkeys, For Love or Money, Green Card, Brazil, Monty Python’s Meaning of Life, and Miracle on 34th Street. His television appearances include a role in The Cosby Mysteries and Murder She Wrote, and he has been featured in nine Broadway productions.

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