A Culinary Revolution in the Sun: Provence 1970 

Our next book club selection combines mouth-watering food, dramatic cultural shifts, vibrant personalities, and the sun-drenched beauty of the South of France. We are reading Luke Barr’s Provence 1970: M.F.K. Fisher, Julia Child, James Beard, and the Reinvention of American Taste for October.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of the French countryside, this narrative non-fiction reads like a novel, making it a dream choice for our engaging, lively group discussions.

The book centers on a pivotal, transformative winter in the south of France. In late 1970, a legendary group of American food icons gathered in Provence:

• M.F.K. Fisher, the pioneering food writer who taught Americans how to eat with passion and poetry.

• Julia Child, the charismatic television chef who had just finished Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume Two.

• James Beard, the godfather of American gastronomy.

• Along with a close-knit circle of friends, artists, and publishers, including Julia's husband, Paul Child.

Gathered to cook, drink, argue, and explore local markets, these culinary giants found themselves at a crossroads. The traditional, heavy rules of French haute cuisine were beginning to crack, and American food culture was on the brink of a massive awakening. Barr captures this specific moment in time when a few meals shared around a rustic wooden table changed the way a nation thought about food forever. Read more

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It is easy and free to join. Just click here and enter your email...you will be sent a Zoom invitation each month for the online book club discussion. Our meetings are informal, lively, and held in English. We would love to see you there to share your take on Orwell’s experiences and discuss the enduring allure of Paris.