A Celebration of Olives

by Carol Drinkwater

Book Overview

THE OLIVE FARM and THE OLIVE SEASON are television actress Carol Drinkwater's lyrical accounts of a new life in France; about her house Appassionata and the trials and tribulations of acquiring an... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316728039
• ISBN13: 9780316728034
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Time Warner Books Uk
• Length: 689 Pages
• Weight: 1.90 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Two Great Books in One Volume

Carol Drinkwater's books read like a letter from an old and dear friend. Once you start reading them you simply can't put them down. She is open, honest and genuine in her accounts of how she fell in love with a man, a house, a region and its people, a few dogs, and a few interesting characters. I know it may sound cliche, but Ms. Drinkwater's writing will not only transport you to Provence, but to Carol's Provence, all sundrenched and smelling of lavendar, rosemary and honey.

Carries you away to the South of France!!

Having read Peter Mayle, Chris Stewart and Frances Mayes to satisfy my dream of doing what they have done, I was unsure as to whether Carol Drinkwater (better known as Mrs Herriot in All Creatures Great and Small) would be able to do any better. To my amazement I was plesantly surprised! In my opinion, A Celebration of Olives is overall better than the authors work listed above. It's not embellished with over inflated stories; Carol readily admits to having little or no money several times, and has to continue her acting to make ends meet. Carol has a way with words which can transport you to the scene with the greatest of ease. I felt her pain at discovering the roof of Apassionata had a leak, her anger at being robbed while away in England and her joy at seeing their olives pressed into extra virgin olive oil for the first time. The characters are real and I can relate to them with people I know here in rural Australia. Incidentally, all the above authors rate Australia as the place they would have chased their seachange had they not found Spain/Italy/France. It's funny how when you live in the country you don't see it in the same light as foriegners do. You'll be up late at night reading this book. Be prepared to be consumed and wanting more... If you're reading this Carol, please contact me via email!