A Breath of French Air

By H.E. Bates

Book Overview

The Larkins travel to France for some sun and relaxation--only to be met with disaster--in this comic classic by the author of The Darling Buds of May.

At summer's end, rain clouds hovering over Kent have some in the Larkin household feeling under the weather in more ways than one. Ma is exhausted from nursing newborn Oscar, and Mariette needs a break.

Meanwhile, Mariette's husband, Charley, reminisces about delightful summers spent in Brittany during his youth. It was inexpensive, the food was marvelous, the air was warm and sultry, and they would almost never see a drop of rain. And with that, Ma persuades Pop to take a holiday in France.

But when the Larkin clan arrives in the village of St. Pierre le Port, it is vastly different from Charley's memories. It is raining, the food is awful, the hotel is run-down, and the manager is rather nasty. The Larkins normally find joy in the little things in life, but they have never dealt with a vacation like this . . .

"Very racy, earthy. Rabelaisian." --The Spectator

Praise for the Pop Larkin Chronicles

"Hilarious." --The New York Times

"Pop Larkin, Ma and their progeny . . . are essentially English of the rich and ribald England of Chaucer and Shakespeare. A superb and timeless comedy." --The Scotsman

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1504068831
• ISBN13: 9781504068833
• Release Date: January 2022
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media LLC
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 7.8" x 5.1"

Customer Reviews

Holidays with the Larkins

At the end of a rainy, dreary August, the Larkins are all feeling a bit mopey and depressed so Pop decides that they need a holiday and suggests that they go to Brittany where his son-in-law, Charley, spent happy times as a child. With such a large family, they agree that it would be easier for everyone if they flew the Rolls Royce over too as it could accomodate all of them on their excursions. When they finally arrive at the small, shabby hotel, the owner, Madame Dupont, wrongly assumes that anyone who could afford to drive such a magnificent car, has to be a Mi'lord and treats Pop as such. The usual mix ups with food, drink and language occur and when the owner discovers, by means of their passports, that Ma and Pop aren't legally married, it's put down to the eccentricities of the English aristocracy. It's a very pleasant, amusing read with all of the lovable characters playing their parts.