Village in the Vaucluse: Third Edition

Laurence Wylie took his wife, and two small children to live in the small Provencal village of Roussillon (which he calls Peyrane) in 1950. It was a world so far removed from the modern romantic perception of Provence as an idyll. It was a world slowly trying to shake off the defeat of the Second World War, which had so closely followed the awful bleeding of the First. Psychologically, many of the citizens were still defeated; they refused to plant fruit trees, which would take 5-6 years to yield a crop, fearing they would be destroyed in the interim by Russia and the United States who would use their country as a battleground in the Third. It was still a time of poverty and want, and the peasants would shoot sparrows for food. Wylie includes only one statistical chart in the entire book- three "snap shots" of the town's population, by age group, over a hundred year period. In that period, 1851 to 1946, the population declined by almost 50%. There were numerous contributing factors: the rise of industrialization, improved transportation, silkworm diseases, phylloxera, which destroyed the vineyards, decline in the use of ochre in paint and, of course, the First World War. Each had a significant impact on village life that an outsider tends to view as "static." There is a scene in the movie "Dr. Zhivago" in which the Field Commander Strinlikov asked Zhivago why he traveled with his wife and children - was it to reduce suspicion on him, who might be engaged in "counter revolutionary" activities? Likewise, the presence of Wylie's family was significant in overcoming the prejudice and suspicion of even the most doctrinaire communists - of no small importance in this strongly anti-clerical region. By becoming part of village life, he was able to complete a most effective sociological portrait, covering the major aspects of life, in a charmingly anecdotal manner. First, he locates the village in time and space (I've wondered why he insisted on the "ruse" of naming Roussillon Peyrane when he identifies it so clearly anyhow, including a map! of the town). Then in following chapters he discusses the phases of a human's life, starting in infancy through schooling, adolescences, marriage, setting up a household, making a living, and concluding with old age. He also focuses on communal activities in "getting along with others," the community's relationship with the outside world, the life of the café, community celebrations and organizations. Even with his very best intentions, Wylie is still of the American culture. That is pointedly brought home in an anecdote about the meter reader. First Wylie describes how very little electricity they use - and how low they keep the heat - only to have the meter reader chuckle, shake his head, and proclaim that only the school and the café used more electricity. When I rented a gite in nearby Cabannes in 1989 I thought I was the ultimate conserver of electricity; the gite's owner read the meter, and went "oye"...

A fascinating look at a way of life that was drastically changed by the time the author returned 10 years later.

This delightful book presents life in a village in Southern France in the 1950's. Author and former Harvard Sociologist Laurence Wylie traveled to ¨Peyrane¨ (Rousillon) France to write this book about the culture and lifestyles of village residents. Readers see how the men worked and relaxed at the local cafe, how women tended their homes (most were housewives), and how adolescents were reminded to ¨have fun¨ before entering adulthood. We also get the views and attitudes of residents, which included loyalty towards their village and annoyance with the national government. The author captures the sights, sounds, and feel of this charming village in a simpler time. This book was written shortly after Nazi occupation ended and as the economic miracle was starting to lift living standards in Europe. Wylie returned later to write a follow-up, and shows the changes wrought by increased prosperity and television. This delightful book reads more like a novel than a sociological study.

For those interested in a thoughtful, genuine look at day-to-day life in rural France in the post-World War II 1950's era, this is a delightful book. It is the story and reflections of a noted Harvard sociologist whose family spent a year in the small village of Rousillon in Provence (in the book, he gives it another name to protect the locals' privacy), observing and commenting on village life. It is not a glib, quick laugh -- rather the lively reflection of a thoughtful participant and talented writer. It may be an eye opener to realize just how rural life was not all that long ago in this part of France. There are delightful pictures as well, with scenes that can be recognized by the modern visitor to Rousillon. The end of the book includes the author's reflections on subsequent visits in later years.

Laurence Wiley,a former professor of sociology at Harvard,wrote this wonderful little book in the 1950's. This charming examination of life in the town of Rousillon(which he calls Peyrane to protect it's privacy)captures the the character of French life in the postwar recovery period.As a reader you will be transported back in time to a simpler life among the hill towns of Provence.Laurence gives us the facts about the history of the town,and from where the people came (surprisingly it was a transient population).He tells us about how they are brought up,educated,their adolescent times,their whole lives.There are many delightful personalities in this book-you will enjoy it.I just hope someone will use it for a movie one day.