Boss Dog: A Story of Provence

by M.F.K. Fisher

Chronicles an American mother's year abroad with her two daughters in Aix-en-Provence. Part memoir and part fiction, this adventure is presided over by an aloof and proprietary mongrel, the Boss Dog, who frequents the young family's favorite cafe.

Genres: Fiction, France, Food, Dogs, Animals, Travel

118 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Mary Frances Kennedy Fisher was a prolific and well-respected writer, writing more than 20 books during her lifetime and also publishing two volumes of journals and correspondence shortly before her death in 1992. Her first book, Serve it Forth, was published in 1937. Her books deal primarily with food, considering it from many aspects: preparation, natural history, culture, and philosophy. Fisher believed that eating well was just one of the "arts of life" and explored the art of living as a secondary theme in her writing. Her style and pacing are noted elements of her short stories and essays.

Reviews

[Jlnpeacock Peacock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fisher writes so beautifully that reading any of her books has seemed to be like sitting down to a wonderfully prepared meal in a relaxed setting. All the elements are right for a perfectly enjoyable evening (or read).

[Hilary Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't follow what was going on and really didn't care.

[Katarzyna Bartoszynska · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is really only of appeal to hardcore Fisher devotees. The story of a woman and her two daughters living in Aix-en-Provence for a year, or rather, a series of vignettes about a dog they meet there. Nothing much happens. The three characters (2 little girls and their mother) are strangely difficult to distinguish between, because they all talk in the same way. There is no real character development, and though deeper themes are hinted at, they are underdeveloped and highly opaque. It's of interest as thinly veiled autobiography, and Fisher's prose is wonderful as always, rich and evocative but slightly bizarre, but you have to be pretty devoted to the woman's work to genuinely enjoy this book.

[Korynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is it about M.L.K. Fisher? Her writing is amazing, precise and elegant, self-depreciating and eloquent. She manages to mention details that make her descriptions come alive and seem familiar to her readers.
This story is more fanciful, a tale rather than a piece, but still wonderfully put together.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love good writing, dogs and a foreign adventure (France in the 1950's) you'll love this book.

[Candice · Rating 2 out of 5]

MFK Fisher is an amazing writer. Great observations for travel, people and place. She has a sly sense of humor, and a wise heart - she is a pleasure to visit.

[Annie Tate Cockrum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming! We follow a mother and her two daughters during their summer in Provence. Each chapter is a moment / vignette from the summer and feels like it can stand completely alone. I was only familiar with MFK Fisher’s food writing until I came across this at a used book sale. Even though this book wouldn’t fit in that category the food descriptions were gorgeous. I think this book would be a great thing to read to a young-ish child maybe in the 7 to 12 age range. If you’re in it for the “boss dog” in question I’ll say there was less of him that I’d hoped for, that being said it’s still a lovely little book.
3.5

[Susan Espourteille · Rating 5 out of 5]

My well-thumbed copy of this out of print little gem is one of my prized possessions. I can't begin to estimate how many times I have read it, and each time I enjoy it more than the last.

I read this book after my first and only visit to Aix-en-Provence, yet anytime I want to travel there again, I can do so in the pages of this book. In fact, one could read this book before a visit, and instantly recognize landmarks, twisty little streets, and imagine that some of the mutts in the street are the charmer of the title. For me, this book is a bit of time travel to a beautiful and timeless city. I'd go do far as to say that Aix itself is a more important character than the Americans who are at the center of story. This isn't do much a novel as a love song to a place, time and state of mind that's well understood by anyone who loves Provence. As an avowed Francophile (and also Francophone!), I am positively smitten with this little treasure of a book.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One word sticks in my memory about this novella of an American mother who travels to France with her two young daughters, meeting a very special dog there—and that word is charming. It is based on Fisher’s own experience with her daughters—she wanted them to learn French and she wanted the opportunity to speak it again. They planned to stay in France only two weeks, but ended up staying five years with trips in between back to California. Each time they returned to France they were delighted to find “Boss Dog” still around.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet little quick read by MFK Fisher. It's set in Provence, France in the mid 1950's and talks about a year she spent there with her two young daugthers. The 'Boss Dog' was kind of the town's mascot, and saw them through many of their adventures. The writing seemed a bit stilted, but once I got into the writing style, the book was a fun peek into a slice of life in rural France mid 20th-century.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-written and humorous collection of reminiscences by an American mother about the acquaintance that she and her two young daughters struck with one very shrewd terrier during their time in Aix-en-Provence in the early 1950s. The vignettes were charming not least because they allowed me to recall some of my primary school/middle school French.

[Dottie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fiction built on a period in Fisher's life of which I'd already read the "real life" account was a delight. The embroidery and embellishment were clear in many cases and less so in a few instances but I loved the story spun out of the reality in Fisher's inimitable way -- I'm a fan.

[Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming story (with a bit of an edge) about a mother and her two young daughters, their short time in Aix-en-Provence, all of the people they meet and food they eat, and an impressive dog who enjoys pistachio nougat.

[Julie · Rating 1 out of 5]

oh, so bad! she should have kept with her food writing/memoirs!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

MFK Fisher has a way with words - this little story (taken from one of her earlier memoirs?) is an enjoyable read.

[Stephanie O’ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very dry. Not much of a plot.

[Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! One of my favorites. Mom takes 2 daughters to live in Aix. Day-in-life

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish someone had taken me to France for a couple of years when I was a little girl! Fun easy read.

[Kizz Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely little book with an old style feel to it. If you like dogs and travel and people this light fare will please you.

[Kayleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some disjointed vignettes. Not really about the dog. I can't say I really know what it's about. Things happened and I really didn't care.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my treat of the year. The writing is so good it lifted my heart. Plus the story is lovely and whimsical. Am now going to read everything MFK Fisher has ever written.

[Judith Trail · Rating 4 out of 5]

M.F.K. Fisher's work is not popularly known, but her writing is terrific. Crisp, subtle, insightful and humorous, with a keen eye for detail and nuance. Mother and her two daughters, ages "almost" nine and twelve move from California to Aix-en-Provence, with the intention to live there a year before deciding where their home should be: California or France. Dropped like unprepared parachuters into the sensual and seasonal life of Aix-en-Provence, they quickly find their lives swept up into the idiosyncrasies of this rural town. Walking down the streets over-arched by dense tree branches in summer to the fountain, or taking a bracing walk in winter to a warm cafe, life has a charming rhythm to these American ex-pats. They are, early in their stay, introduced to the most important citizen of the town, whose movements portent great happenings: The Boss Dog. Boss Dog has one black and one white ear. The black ear forever droops over his eye, the white permanently erect. Boss Dog belongs to no one, but is welcomed in every cafe, bar, shop or gathering where his presence usually provokes some remarkable occurrence. He is discerning, something of a snob, and observes man's little activities as would a patronizing uncle to his young nieces and nephews. And when Boss Dog has had enough, well, he leaves. What is the point of this book? What is the point of life, then. Read this.

[Cvk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you enjoy arthouse films with just enough plot to hold everything together? Do you crave ambient music to relax and recharge? Do you ever want to drop everything and move to Europe? I do, and as a result this book was heaven.

This is a fantastic piece of ambient literature, especially if you’re a food-loving dog person. The reviews are right, there is no character development. But that makes it great. Each chapter (or really, installment) of this book stands alone, so you can pick it up and put it down as needed. It transports you into a particular type of privileged world that now seems less and less accessible, and is a work of rare and pleasant escapism. This was my introduction to MFK Fisher, and I’m looking forward to reading more of her work whenever I need a moment of peace.

[Anne Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fact is, this is a children's book for adults.

I actually can imagine reading it to children, but I can imagine just as well reading it to adults who love (1) Children, and their mothers), (2) dogs, (3) France and the French, (4) Food

The fact is, MFK Fisher is a terrific writer. Anyone who knows her food stories, essays, books, knows how engaging she is, how direct, and how cleverly she brings the color and scents of a place to life on paper.

This series of vignettes taken from her own experiences with her daughters in Provence, each sufficient unto itself, evokes [series evokes] the essence of a sensitive mother, her creative children, their harmonious relationship, and a dog who shapes their adventures over nearly a year in the south of France.

[Glen U · Rating 3 out of 5]

A clear departure from Fisher's glorious food essays. I still can't figure out the audience for this book. It is some what auto-biographical from the time after the Second World War (1954) when M.F.K. and her two daughters moved to Aix-en-Provence. From there, the story departs into the introduction of "Boss Dog", a mongrel terrier of dubious character. The tale is juvenile but the writing has all the hallmarks of Fisher's amazing prose styling. Perhaps a bit much for a child to read to them-self, but a wonderful book for a parent to read to their offspring. You will be transported to Carnival in Provence by Fisher's superlative narratives. A very good read from an exquisite and unique author.

[Antonio · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful little book. Not my favorite of Ms. Fisher's by far, but quite lovely. I was certainly wrapped up in the day to day of living in Provence for a year. And to find that it was closer to a memoir than anything else was fun. The daughters could be a touch annoying but that is to be expected of the tween years. The mother & the rest of the characters including the "Boss Dog" were a delight. For those interested in Ms. Fisher's life or what small village life in France might be like, this is perfect for dipping the proverbial toe into the waters. An easy quick read.

[Maria Judnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this little book and took my time to read it. MFK Fisher is a master of profiles and her profile of this little boss dog in France is simply lovely. My fiancé had visited the area for a conference and he felt it was just as she had described it here. What a quirky little read that reminds us of an older, quieter, tongue-in-cheek style.

[Pascale · Rating 2 out of 5]

As charming as it gets, with a few nice observations about innocents abroad that leave you feeling this book could have had a lot more substance than it does. As it stands, it's a very winning story of an American mother and 2 delightful pre-teens having a wonderful year in Aix-en-Provence.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Purchased as a gift I decided I should read it before gifting. I found it in the children's section. I think it was misplaced as I don't know many young people that could understand the nuances in this book. Basic premise is that a mother takes her two young daughters for a year in France.

[elstaffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this was written about events in the year 1953 (or perhaps a year later) and it is now 2021, I still want to go to Aix and see the Boss Dog. Would hang onto the copy I picked up were it not redolent of mildew.