The Secrets of Pistoulet

by Jana Fayne Kolpen

"Far away in the remote, untraveled southwestern French countryside, there is a small village which contains two homes, an eleventh-century church, and a very special farm known as Pistoulet." Thus begins The Secrets of Pistoulet, a charming and beautiful little book filled with food, magic, and love. Part fiction, part cookbook, this richly illustrated book is reminiscent of the popular Griffin and Sabine, with its collection of letters to be removed from envelopes, and recipes tucked into their own little pockets. Drawings, photographs, snippets of diaries, and mysterious maps decorate this tale of Mademoiselle J., who arrives at Pistoulet with a broken heart. There she is welcomed by the farm's tenants: Madame Claude; Monsieur Andre; the black dog, Marcel; and a chicken that lays golden eggs. Soon, such soul-strengthening dishes as Potage of Babble (guaranteed to cease excessive chatter), Potage of Passion (Cooks beware: this soup has been known to result in marriage proposals!), and Tart of Sunshine (sure to heat both body and soul) have Mademoiselle J. on the road to recovery. The Secrets of Pistoulet packs a lot of charm into a small package. Readers who love to cook will want to try these simple, tasty recipes, though it may be difficult in some cases to follow the directions exactly ("Go to the nearest fishing port and acquire moules from the fisherman with the largest pecs and most tattoos....). Those who don't will be more than content to simply imagine these sumptuous meals as they, along with Mademoiselle J., attempt to unlock Pistoulet's magical mysteries.

Genres: Fiction, Art, France, Food, Cookbooks, Travel, Adult Fiction

72 pages, Hardcover

First published March 6, 1996

Reviews

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this sweet little book a hundred times. Whenever I'm feeling down, or like I need to be taken care of, this book makes me feel better. Isn't that strange? I don't care. I love this book. It's required reading.

[Suanne Laqueur · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and its sequel The Legend of the Villa Della Luna are just darling pop-ups for adults. And they have recipes so what's not to love. If you want a lovely gift for yourself or a host, these are winners.

[Sina & Ilona Glimmerfee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mademoiselle J. kommt nach Südfrankreich um ihren seelischen Verletzungen Zeit zum Heilen zu gönnen. Das kleine malerische Dörfchen besteht aus nur zwei Häusern, einer Kirche und dem Bauernhof Pistoulet. Doch es gibt dort ein gut gehütetes Geheimnis zu entdecken, es duftet verführerisch nach Rosmarin, Lavendel und Magie.

Die Geschichte ist hier eher eine Nebensache, dafür ist die liebevolle Aufmachung allein schon fünf Sterne wert. 'Die Suppe der Erkenntnis', 'Honigmilch gegen Verdrießlichkeit', 'Mutmachertee', 'Plaudersuppe' und die Anleitung für ein Traumkissen verführen zum nachkochen und ausprobieren. Mediterrane Illustrationen und die Rezeptkärtchen machen dieses Buch zu etwas ganz besonderem.

Wem Lebenslust, Magie und die Freude am Kochen abhanden gekommen sind, dem könnte dieses schöne Buch wieder Freude an kulinarischen Genüssen vermitteln. Doch Achtung: Wer die 'Suppe der Leidenschaft' seinen Gästen serviert, muss damit rechnen, dass man sich leidenschaftlich in sie verliebt. (Ilona)

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Layout & art is beautiful. Found the story somewhat lacking in substance and continuity. I did enjoy the the recipes and how they were peppered with advice among the ingredients. From Potage of Babble; "Purchase ingredients from the most out spoken farmer at the market." and "Turn on the radio, tune into a lively conversation, and leave the room. About 20 minutes later, add salt and pepper and pistou. Turn off the radio and serve with crusty loaf and good wine." I can not say I personally am excited about any of the recipes enough to want to run out and buy the ingredients to try them. They are almost all for potage,(from French translated to English is generally a thick soup, usually cream).

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books! I've bought this one for myself. I get a kick out of the artiness of it - the envelopes with recipe note cards to pull out, the photos, collages, paintings, the kicky, romantic story behind it all. Makes me smile!

I reread often.

[ANIOTUS Marcus Longmuir · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the design of this book more than the story. The pull-out recipes are delightful meditations on living life well so that the preparation of food is more than just the clever blending of ingredients.

[Sharon Younkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Engaging writing, interesting characters, amazing descriptions of food, and outstanding recipes (I've tried them all, and while they may not have magical powers, they are delicious and easy to prepare).

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story and recipes.

[Iloveparis · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books, The Secrets of Pistoulet transports the weary soul to a place that rejuvenates, fortifies, nurtures, and inspires.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everyone who comes to the farm at Pistoulet in the southwestern French countryside is healed from the problems of their lives. Foods are prepared specially for each person.

The fun of the book is the inclusion of actual recipes and letters in envelopes throughout the pages.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

How can I best characterize this book? It is a cookbook with a story that accompanies it. It is a book like the The Griffin & Sabine Trilogy, a wistful dream with recipes. A book of healing through food; after all, food is the first medicine. It is beautifully illustrated. In a way, one longs for Pistoulat. I have made several of the potages and they are delicious, but one has a hard time buying mussels from the strongest, most tattoed fisherman at the wharf. So it is a fun, likeable book, but not a literary gem. It sits in my pantry waiting for the envelops to open in order to make a gabby soup, a soup to make one stronger, a soup to bring true love into one's life. When my daughter was preparing to make her big journey last year, I prepared the soup for a good journey for her. If you have your big meal at lunch and enjoy a nice soup and salad dinner AND are a romantic, this book is for you!

[JennanneJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather cute little book, with letters you can unfold and recipes you can pull out of sleeves. Unfortunately, not very well written and not particularly interesting. It's pretty and creative, but not well executed.

[Marianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enchanting, beautifully illustrated adult fairy tale. I love the design. The story starts a little slow, but surprises in the end.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet book and charming story. Love the interactive features of the recipes and notes. Not exactly Nick Bantock, but lovely in its own right.

[Rosalinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Loved the pull-out recipe cards for "Potage of Passion", Potage of Strength" & other cures for ailments of the spirit. An upbeat, fun mini-book, perfect for a summer afternoon.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovely little book took about an hour to read (while my husband was watching the All Blacks🤔). It is just a delightful happy magical read with beautiful recipes to suit the moods.

[Judith Leipold · Rating 3 out of 5]

A "pretty" book about life in a faraway place with magical people and healing recipes for the aches of human emotion. Might be nice addition to a guest bedroom as it would be perfect bedtime story.

[Huda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It is magical, whimsical and uplifting. Calls you to dream and imagine, why not?? I loved the plot and how it is represented, very creative. I read it in less than an hour. The recipes written in a lovely way, I couldn't help but smile when I read them. I am thinking to cook couple of the dishes, starting possibly with the "Potage of spirit". The only challenge tough is that there are no gypsies at the farmers market close to where I live, hmmmm, or maybe there are, perhaps I need to look with the eyes of my heart...

[Veronica-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a truly magical book. Full of artistic creativity and recipes to soothe the weary spirit. Beautiful, story and letters in envelopes that are just full of bountiful gems to treasure. It is heart-warming and joyous and enchanting. A precious book to read over and over again to warm the soul. Highly recommended.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

"An enchanted fable of food, magic, and love". A beautifully illustrated pop up book for adults full of actual recipe cards in pockets and other "surprises". An enchanting and uplifting book. It always makes me smile (and wish I could beam myself to France) and would make a lovely gift.

I was gifted this and "Dancing With the Moon" many years ago, so this was a reread for me.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a beautifully illustrated journey to a special place in the French countryside, a farm named Pistoulet. There's enchantment and food, special stories of the magical that's found there, and recipes you will taste first in your mind, then grab the ingredients and cook! Love is found everywhere in the air at Pistoulet!

[Stephanie A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reminiscent of Susan Branch in font and illustration style, there is little substance to the magical-realism-tinged text, but it's enjoyable to pull the recipes printed on postcard stock out of envelopes.

[Ruby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and sweet. One of those books that was popular in the 90s that has hidden letters and recipes... Like a pop-up book for adults.

I was interested in this because of a chapter on Pistoulet in Mastering the art of French Eating by Ann Mah.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The layout of this book with its clever pull-out recipe cards, pictures and a letter are delightful. There is not much to the story. The magical element needed to be a little bit stronger. The recipes are actually meditations on living a good life.

[Rsmith1960 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated book with fold-outs, removable recipe cards and letters, vellum pages.

[Joe Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't have the words... The story, the recipes, the photos and drawings, all so incredibly blended and harmonized - it's like a comfortable, accessible, joyful piece of fine art. So loved it!

[Maythazin Minthu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect way to end the year. Thank you 2022!

[Tracy MacDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book to look at, with a lovely story. Enchanting.

[Anna Lovat]

I thought I would be charmed. I was not

[Isabella Rovere · Rating 5 out of 5]

my favorite comfort re read