The Water of the Hills / Jean De Florette / Manon of the Springs

This is one of my favorite books of all time.

Fascinating novel.

The translation is accurate but Pagnol's very simple yet effective use of language sounds so much better in the original language (French) than in this English version. Also, in either language, the pair of novels seems rather long. One has to wait an awful long time to come to the quite shattering denouement! This is one place where Claude Berri's two-part film (with Yves Montand, Gérard Depardieu and Daniel Auteuil) seems to me to be more powerful.The supplier did an excellent job in packing and shipping very promptly at a real bargain-basement price! The book's physical condition matched the description.

Just read the first story as yet - Jean de Florette, and our book club meets tonight. I thoroughly enjoyed the beautifully observed, witty, sharp writing and am looking forward to Manon of the Springs.

I was a bit annoyed as had the impression from the description and reviews that this was an English version but it is in French so completely useless to me.

Super, arrivé en temps et en heure puis surtout dans la version présentée et en très très bon état. De quoi passer de bonnes vacances à lire dans le hamac

The blu ray is well worth getting.It will never win the "sharpest bd of the year" award as the picture is deliberately too dreamy and soft focused but it's a leap forward from the dvd.Luxuriate in the gorgeous colours of Provence,and watch out for the reds of those infamous carnations.No English subtitles,unfortunately, but you know the story inside out and coupled with your school boy French will be enough to ensure your understanding of what's going on. Enjoy this fabulous treat.