A man of (tedious) letters
This book isn't entirely awful - the jacket's quite pretty, and the section on Montpellier's recent history is interesting. But for the most part it is smug, self-centred and tedious.
It is presented as a series of letters to a relative of the author, most of which include an invitation to come and visit. The revelation, at the end of the book, that said relative never made it is mawkish, rather than moving, and frankly not that much of a surprise. Even as letters home, what is written here would not have been all that compelling.
In terms of insight into life in the modern Midi, there's very little. Such as there is concerns only the life of one privileged British expat. And given that most of the book is based on days out on bicycles or short trips on boats - little more than any tourist in the region might undertake - it is hard to see how any great understanding of the Languedoc or its natives can be expected. There may be a good book out there about the Languedoc, but this isn't it.
a dull read
As someone who has fallen in love with the area and is hoping to make an extended visit there, this book really annoyed me!
I cannot agree with the comments about excellent writing. The author has no lightness of touch and his style is painfully dated (perhaps some would find it charming?). The only funny jokes were stolen from other people (e.g. Peter Sellers).
Was I the only one shocked by his blase description of shooting his own dog?!
Comparing him to Bruce Chatwin? You have got to be kidding!
How he manages to turn such a unique and fascinating place (and much under-described compared with neighboring Provence) into a series of dull and characterless descriptions is amazing.
Going on for page after page about his blasted dinghy...is anybody interested? Far too much about his tedious lifestyle and not enough about the place and its people.
As an alternative, I would definately go for "Signs of the Heart" by Christopher Hope. Not that its perfect but the author is actually interested in the local people rather than this books bland middle-class fascination for wining and dining.
Best on the Languedoc
Of the books purporting to uncover the hidden or secret Languedoc, this was one of the first to appear and is unquestionably the best. Beautifully written, this is an intelligent and original tour of the Languedoc, covering its chequered history with the Cathars and the Albigensian Crusade, the wine riots in 1907, the landscape, the building of the Canal du Midi, together with up to date meetings with people such as Georges Freche, mayor of Montpellier, who is responsible for changing the city from a sleepy wine town to a serious player on the Mediterranean coast. It is also very funny in parts. Not everybody will get its subtlety or intelligence - but then not everybody gets the Languedoc, preferring the more obvious charms of Provence and its chroniclers such as Peter Mayle.
My only criticism would be the quality of the Ebury edition. If you can, try to get hold of the original limited edition which was published in France. It comes with nice line drawings by Peter Glynn-Smith.
OK but thin on character
An interesting idea, using the letters written home to his mother, which grabs one initially and made me smile in the first chapter. However this soon wears thin and one finds oneself wishing for greater depth in the characters portrayed. The book soon losses itself and though it promises to provide a unique insight into the real Languedoc, it never shows its face.
Try harder next time
Chasing His Notion of Paradise
Rupert Wright has a deft touch with language which resonates well with the reading pallette. His work is like a preacher's sermon to a saved congregation. As the sole American in a Languedoc village and one of those leagues of writers drafting their own novel about the region, he is dead-on with his wit, enthusiasm and insight into the region. Inhaling this work is like the full course meal and good company you don't wish to leave. One can only hope for an encore performance. A must read for anyone who has ever been intrigued about the "genuine" Provence which will likely be a distant memory within the next two decades. Rupert Wright knows his subject matter and fills in the blanks for most of us living here from elsewhere.
