| A Castle in the Backyard: The Dream of a House in France Contributor(s): Draine, Betsy (Author), Hinden, Michael (Contribution by) |
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ISBN: 0299179443 ISBN-13: 9780299179441 Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press OUR PRICE: $17.96 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: March 2006 Annotation: In one of the most beautiful river valleys in Europe, in the region known as Perigord in southwest France, castles crown the hills, and the surrounding villages seem carved all of a piece out of the local stone. In 1985, in the shadow of one of these medieval castles, Betsy Draine and Michael Hinden fell in love with a small stone house that became their summer home. Like any romance, this one has had its ups and downs, and Betsy and Michael chart its course in this delightful memoir. They offer an intimate glimpse of a region little known to Americans--the Dordogne valley, its castles and prehistoric art, its walking trails and earthy cuisine--and describe the charms and mishaps of setting up housekeeping thousands of miles from home. Along with the region's terrain and culture, "A Castle in the Backyard introduces us to the people of Perigord--the castle's proprietor, the village children, the gossipy real-estate agent, the rascally mason, and the ninety-year-old widow with a tale of heartbreak. A celebration of a place and its people, the book also reflects on the future of historic Perigord as tourism and development pose a challenge to its graceful way of life. Winner of the 2002 August Derleth Nonfiction Award, awarded by the Council for Wisconsin Writers |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Travel | Europe - France - Biography & Autobiography |
| Dewey: 944.72 |
| Physical Information: 0.78" H x 5.12" W x 8.08" (0.72 lbs) 322 pages |
| Themes: - Cultural Region - French |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Chronicles the transformation of Perigord as development poses a challenge to its graceful way of life, and evokes the personal exuberance of starting over, even in mid-life. The authors offer a glimpse of a region little known to Americans - the Dordogne valley, its castles and prehistoric art, its walking trails and earthy cuisine, and more. |