My Father's Glory & My Mother's Castle: Marcel Pagnol's Memories of Childhood

This is quite simply one of the most enjoyable, moving and humane books I have ever read.

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.

even if this book is written by a french author, and is situated in Provence, it is such a highlight of good litterature, as it must be, that is a pleasure to read, a depth in the feelings it shows, and a perfect happines when you have read it. It is about childhood in Provence in the years 1900, about love, friendship, children hollidays in the sunny hills. It is about life!

(The two books read as one, the second simply taking up--with no exposition--where the first leaves off.) These simple, sunny, nostalgic memoirs of a small boy's happy youth and adventures in the bosom of his loving and often very funny family in Marseilles and the hills of Provence in the early years of this century will captivate anyone who isn't a real Scrooge. They are filled with human understanding, warmth, and humor. Charming and absolutely delightful. Not to be missed.