Karen D. (asaucygal) reviewed on 1/13/2012 + 4 more book reviews

I love escapist reading about women (& men) who choose to live abroad and undertake a farm, a winery, a restaurant. Call it the Shirley Valentine syndrome - common among women of a certain age.

I thought this would have it all - olive oil, southern France, an expat actress. I was ultimately disappointed in the amount of writing dedicated to olive culture and harvest. One chapter - maybe 10% of the book. In that chapter, at peak of harvest, she decides to return to London for a visit leaving the work in the hands of a devoted caretaker.

I compared this to Patricia Atkinson's "The Ripening Sun" In which the author worked her fingers to the bone and told about the process - climbing vats, riding tractors, tying vines and telling and teaching you about it in the process.

This is more about the life of an ex-pat: house guests, Cannes, excentric characters as well as her emotional journey creating a new family. Those reading for culinary reasons may find this less "extra virgin" and more "pomace oil"

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