French Lessons

Adventures with Knife, Fork, and Corkscrew

By: Peter Mayle

Narrated by: Simon Jones

Ranging far from his adopted Provence, Peter 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 ChĊteau 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 Richerenches, a scared 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 (it's 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 audiobook yet from the toujours delightfully entertaining Peter Mayle.

©2001 by Escargot Productions Ltd. (P)2001 Random House Inc., Random House AudioBooks, A Division of Random House Inc.

Critic reviews

"Simon Jones performs Mayle's firsthand account with absolute assurance and skill." (AudioFile)

Delightful.

A retired man enjoying food and wine and camaraderie in France amidst a mix of foibles: What could be more delicious to listen to on my way to and from work?

Additionally, Simon Jones narrates the whole romp with aplomb and panache.

Appetizing Read

I do not enjoy travel and have a terribly untutored palate, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love listening to descriptions of people enjoying food and wine, and Peter Mayle conveys his enjoyment and manages to include me at the table. I, like Mr. Jenkins, never eat anything I can't pronounce, but Mr. Mayle broadens my horizons and allows me the second-hand experience of far-away things without leaving home. The narrator was excellent, surpassed only by Mayle himself. This is a wonderful listen for a slow day on the porch or in the garden.

An interesting trip through France

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It had very interesting facts on French culture. I like to know why we do certian things the way we do them.

What was one of the most memorable moments of French Lessons?

The stories of all the little fairs that he attended.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If I could find the time to. It wasn't hard to be drawn right back into the story when I had a chance to listen again.

Delicious

Like all his other books exploration of French culture and customs with love and great appreciation. Magnificent.

Hilarious!

This is one of the funniest books I have ever encountered. Peter Mayle writes with such humour, and Simon Jones brings it to life in his uniques animated fashion. Fabulous!

Aural gastronomy

Peter Mayle’s appreciation of France and French food is seductively conveyed in this book and Simon Jones’ narration delivers his wit effortlessly. Each chapter is a gourmand’s delight, yet leaves one hungering for more.

Very enjoyable and entertaining

What did you love best about French Lessons?

We love France - especially the food and the wine. This book highlights the unique food festivals in an entertaining, humorous and educational way.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

We were traveling in the car, so we listened to the book in one sitting. A perfect book for that.

Delightful

What fun. This book sent be reaching for my travel planner and wishing I too could enjoy all the local festivals and food fairs deep in the French countryside. Peter Mayle writes with wit and joy as usual and lives the life I dream of. A great look into the little known side of the France I love and the food I crave. Mayle makes the simple life the French enjoy one to be craved. Tres Bon!!

French excess

Unlike the Aix books, this one is about a series of festivals of food and wine. There were some long lunchs in the earlier books, but this is all long lunches and few stories or characters. Narrator Simon Jones thinks he is Bond - James Bond. A bit too arch. Not a great combination. It seems dated in 2018. It might be best to hear a chapter at a time, with some time between them. Maybe these were written as magazine articles, which would have been perfect -- with a month or two between each chapter. Listening to it straight through when commuting, it looses its luster pretty fast. Peter Mayle is still a great author and the narrator is clear and varies his pitch well. It's just that massive amounts of fine food and wine at one sitting after another is not an attractive subject in 2018 -- if it ever was.

Foodie Fun

Highly recommended if you are a food or a Francophile! Peter Mayle transports you to the tables of France like no other.