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3.33 AVERAGE
3.33 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Incredibly charming and descriptive of sights and food and life in France. This is a wonderful followup to My Italian Bulldozer. There are some wonderful overtones of Precious Ramotswe and Grace Makutsi of Smith's "No 1 Ladies Detective Agency" series in this series as well. Warm, caring characters appreciating life as simple and complex as it is.
Not as good as [b:My Italian Bulldozer|30236772|My Italian Bulldozer|Alexander McCall Smith|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1463698885l/30236772._SY75_.jpg|50698640], the first book in this series. The Second-Worst Restaurant in France feels forced.
Paul Stuart is a Scottish cookbook writer, fresh off of success from writing a cookbook in Tuscany, is now given the task of writing "The Philosophy of Good in Six Easy Chapters." After a break in his relationship with his girlfriend and editor Gloria, he finds it especially challenging to get started on his book. When his cousin Chloe suggests he meet her a village in the French countryside where she has rented a home, Paul decides a change of scenery is just what he needs to write his book.
Life with Chloe, who has 5 failed marriages under her belt, is anything but boring. When they are introduced to the "Second Worst restaurant in France" via Chloe's landlord, they quickly understand why this restaurant has been bestowed this honour - the food is not fresh and is overall unpleasing. Poor Paul spends days in bed recovering from a bad case of food poisoning after dining at the restaurant at which time Chloe begins helping Claude the owner of the establishment and his nephew Hugo. Following his recovery, Chloe encourages Paul to help Claude find a few recipes which are more palatable and food safe. What he learns from his time helping is that a solution to the restaurants problems is readily apparent.
In amongst his French adventure Paul learns a little more about Chloe through her narrative about her life and marriages. She has truly has led a colourful life and now looks like she's setting her sights on Claude.
Supported by a delightful cast of characters, the plot immerses the reader in the French countryside. Although I found the book to read a little slow in places, the charm of the book is the community spirit of life in this village. I enjoyed this book and rate it 3.5/5 stars (rounded to 4 stars).
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Life with Chloe, who has 5 failed marriages under her belt, is anything but boring. When they are introduced to the "Second Worst restaurant in France" via Chloe's landlord, they quickly understand why this restaurant has been bestowed this honour - the food is not fresh and is overall unpleasing. Poor Paul spends days in bed recovering from a bad case of food poisoning after dining at the restaurant at which time Chloe begins helping Claude the owner of the establishment and his nephew Hugo. Following his recovery, Chloe encourages Paul to help Claude find a few recipes which are more palatable and food safe. What he learns from his time helping is that a solution to the restaurants problems is readily apparent.
In amongst his French adventure Paul learns a little more about Chloe through her narrative about her life and marriages. She has truly has led a colourful life and now looks like she's setting her sights on Claude.
Supported by a delightful cast of characters, the plot immerses the reader in the French countryside. Although I found the book to read a little slow in places, the charm of the book is the community spirit of life in this village. I enjoyed this book and rate it 3.5/5 stars (rounded to 4 stars).
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Paul moves to a small village in France, with his "eccentric" cousin Chloe, to write a book. While there he meets a cast of local characters.
I love McCall Smith but I didn't like any of the characters. Nothing happens for the first two thirds of the book, and when things happen they're not particularly interesting. The philosophical musings come from Chloe and are all banal and incorrect. Only one character shows a level of competence.
I love McCall Smith but I didn't like any of the characters. Nothing happens for the first two thirds of the book, and when things happen they're not particularly interesting. The philosophical musings come from Chloe and are all banal and incorrect. Only one character shows a level of competence.
Meh, I didn't much care for cousin Chloe and her incessant tales, nor the cast of side characters in this installment. The section of the tale in Edinburgh also seemed to serve as nothing more than an overly long and unnecessary set up for Paul being in France.