A really interesting picture of rural French life
|
I have just finished this charming book, having seen a short review in a magazine shown to me by a friend, and I found it delightful. A wonderful account by an artistic English couple of their few months spent writing and drawing in Aveyron, France, during the summer of 1923.
I loved their gentle but witty style (and the numerous, vivid drawings)which brings to life the varied fascinating and eccentric characters they encounter and the often hard realities of daily life in a small town. The authors live in the Sestrol's 'Hotel', in reality a hat shop/restaurant with rooms to let, for 10 francs a day full board, and they are soon immersed in the activities of their neighbours, whose way of life continues in the traditional way it has done for generations: the
Justice of the Peace and his local court for petty offences and disputes between neighbours,the local tradespeople and their often ingenious ways of earning a living, and the fascinating people and animals of a vanished way of life. Highly recommended for all lovers of France and travel writing in general.
|
|
|
Brilliant read
|
|
Nice to find out a bit more about the authors from the introduction. Been a fan of these authors for years!
|
|
|
United States | 
United Kingdom | 
Canada