My Father's Glory and My Mother's Castle

Rating:
Summary: A fond remembrance of childhood in Provence
Review: A wonderful autobiography by Marcel Pagnol telling of his early childhood with his family in the hills of Provence. Of school, his schoolteacher father, his delicate mother and his rambunctious brother. Of eventful journeys by rail, by foot and by cart from home to their vacation house. Of a joyful time spent exploring a countryside fragrant with wild herbs, full of insects to dissect, birds to hunt and caves to discover. Written in a prose that evokes the simplicity and seriousness of an inquisitive ten year old. And with a bittersweet ending that makes us immediately want to go back to previous pages where we were with him, his family, friends and the hills, tucked safely in summertime warmth and innocence.

Rating:
Summary: Delightful story of an idealic childhood
Review: Marcel Pagnol narrates the story of his family living in Marseilles at the turn of the century, as they travel back and forth to their vacation home in the hills of Provence. The sweetness and loving attitude of his family is truely heartwarming, especially as described through the eyes of young Marcel. I had already seen the movie versions of both My Father's Glory and My Mother's Castle, which actually followed the book quite closely. I highly recommend them. Marcel gives the reader the pleasure of discovering, with him, the joys and mysteries of life, including exploring the hills of Provence, animals and nature, the pleasures of friendship, and the pride and love of family.

Rating:
Summary: Everybody must read it!
Review: My opinion is surely quite distorted since I am french, but please, you american people, read it. I have presented it to so many english or american friends that I have lost track of the number. And all of them told me they loved it.This simple happiness of his childhood in the deep Provence hills is universal. So are the basic values and feelings. love, sun, freedom, friendship.This way of writing, full of humour, light and deep at the same time is really a perfect joy.

Rating:
Summary: Masterpiece
Review: This is quite simply one of the most enjoyable, moving and humane books I have ever read.