A Breath of French Air (The Pop Larkin Chronicles #2)

By: H. E. Bates

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Synopsis: The Larkins travel to France for some sun and relaxation—only to be met with disaster—in this comic classic by the author of The Darling Buds of May. At summer&’s end, rain clouds hovering over Kent have some in the Larkin household feeling under the weather in more ways than one. Ma is exhausted from nursing newborn Oscar, and Mariette needs a break. Meanwhile, Mariette&’s husband, Charley, reminisces about delightful summers spent in Brittany during his youth. It was inexpensive, the food was marvelous, the air was warm and sultry, and they would almost never see a drop of rain. And with that, Ma persuades Pop to take a holiday in France. But when the Larkin clan arrives in the village of St. Pierre le Port, it is vastly different from Charley&’s memories. It is raining, the food is awful, the hotel is run-down, and the manager is rather nasty. The Larkins normally find joy in the little things in life, but they have never dealt with a vacation like this . . . &“Very racy, earthy. Rabelaisian.&” —The SpectatorPraise for the Pop Larkin Chronicles &“Hilarious.&” —The New York Times &“Pop Larkin, Ma and their progeny . . . are essentially English of the rich and ribald England of Chaucer and Shakespeare. A superb and timeless comedy.&” —The Scotsman