Ten Trees and a Truffle Dog: Sniffing Out the Perfect Plot in Provence

Having really enjoyed Jamie’s first book Extremely Pale Rosé I couldn’t resist jumping in to read about a new chapter in his life. Now that they have a baby on the way, it is time for Jamie and his wife to put down roots and settle into family life in Provence. What could be more perfect than a plot of land in a perfect location, giving them the chance to build the perfect house and that comes with it’s own prized truffle oak trees? Well, without giving too much away, let’s just say they hadn’t bargained on health issues, building (and especially dodgy builder) issues, puppy training issues and poachers. Jamie was able to turn these issues into an amusing read and he also included lots of delicious food delights of the region, washed down with a generous supply of rosé wine and I was in my element.If you are looking for a memoir about the ups and downs of family life in Provence, are interested in the food and wine of France and you want to learn more about the delicious truffle and how to find it, I can recommend this book.

Jamie Ivey is a very good writer. His entertaining story moves along with speed and interest. This latest book continues his galant tale of his move to France to start a wine business but focuses on his young family, the truffle dog they acquire and the challenge of building a new house. He is very brave with both successes and failures honestly written. It is good to read of the support of his parents, a rarity in this style of writing, and he writes as a true man about his delightful daughter and, of course, his supportive wife.I would like to see him try a novel or another book about living in Provence.He has enough experience. His writing is similar to Peter Mayle but, I feel, more honest, less funny, yet more entertaining. He deserves to be better known but that may spoil the possibilities of new material. I am certainly curious about his wine business and whether Snuffles found any more truffles!What he does conjure up is the glorious Provençale countryside and makes me want to return to experience it's delights once again.

Amusing, witty and sometimes moving story of life in rural Provence. The desire to find the mysterious black diamond, which is the truffle and the dogs antics are highly comical. Building a home, the inevitable French red tape, dealing with the builders and its pitfalls are all there. Getting to knowing the neighbours, the fete's and festivities and most of all the deep held conviction of the importance of food and wine. I really enjoyed reading this book.

I enjoyed this book very much. I have read many "I moved to france and aren't i clever at learning to cope" type of books but this one gave a bit more of an insite to the precarious relationship between the "locals", the ones you concider to be your friends and the truth.As a "doggy" person who can relate to the training efforts put in to achieve an end goal i found the whole exercise amusing. My husband is now reading the book and laughs out loud at some of the antics.The book does remind me of "A year in Provence" in many ways which is a great tome.

This book really does have something for everyone, and is a thoroughly enjoyable read. If you have ever spent any time in France before you will instantly recognise the characters and appreciate the author's ability to capture them and bring them to life. If you haven't, you will be booking your ticket immediately to queue up at the nearest Boulangerie for a taste of village gossip French style! Jamie clearly has a very deep love of France, but writes in such a way that is accessible to all. Many writers of this genre tend to leave you feeling like they are writing for members of their own exclusive clique,who will be the only ones to get the joke, or appreciate the subject. There is also no hint of condescension which is a trap most expat writers fall in to.Travellers, foodies, wine lovers, dog lovers, expectant parents, tenants, entrepreneurs, those embarking on building a house, or even the odd bit of poaching will find themselves captivated from start to finish. As well as those who fancy going on a great adventure.Well written in an easy, flowing style with fabulous descriptions, this is the perfect companion for anyone this summer, be it poolside, or with a bottle of rose at a cafe watching the world go by.If you have a kindle, or enough space in your handluggage, download all his books so you can enjoy the Ivey's French adventures from start to finish. If only they could have included the recipes. Maybe that's the next book? Certainly hope so.

Read the first few pages of this when short listing some books for my wife's Kindle and mentally noted it seemed worth a few more hours.Several months later I got round to reading it and enjoyed it so much (very rare .... only Michael Wright normally gets that accolade for descriptions of Gallic life) I've hardly put it down. Never understood the fascination with either the taste or the hunt for truffles ..... I am now much wiser. And it's a very good book regardless of your fungal persuasions.

I enjoyed Rose en Marche (yes, I know there are accents missing!) but this next in the series was a bit more pedestrian and I couldn't help thinking that Peter Mayle had already done the "building in Provence" theme though his was renovation rather than a new house if my memory serves me correctly. Interesting comments re the French health service but I found the truffle hunting theme less than riveting. Still worth a read, however.

I read the first threequarters of this book in two days. A week later I still haven't finished it.What began as an enjoyable warts and description of life in Provence seems to have lost direction. A pity as it is a refreshing change from "the sun always shines in France" anodine tripe that so often emanates from that country.

An enchanting expedition into Provence and how not to build a house. Well written, amusing, fun, and true to life (though we spent many years nearer to Narbonne than Nice) tale of the underside of life in southern France for expats. Loved the dog!

Never thought truffles could be so entertaining....good book for learning about France!!! Very human and good to read on a holiday!! No deep lecture but entertaining and well written.

On the whole I enjoyed the book. I enjoyed the descriptions of the people and village life but I found that towards the end it became a little bit wearying reading about the changed attitudes of the villagers, it could have been dealt with more quickly and simpler.

I really enjoyed this book. It shows the real Provence, warts and all. Would be very interested in reading a follow up if there is one.

Really enjoyed it. Lovely writing style really draws you in. Would like to read more of his work in e book format.