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Chasing Cezanne
High Society, South of France and an art crime caper.
245 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1991
102 people are currently reading
1538 people want to read
About the author
Peter Mayle
136 books1,292 followersPeter Mayle was a British author famous for his series of books detailing life in Provence, France. He spent fifteen years in advertising before leaving the business in 1975 to write educational books, including a series on sex education for children and young people. In 1989, A Year in Provence was published and became an international bestseller. His books have been translated into more than twenty languages, and he was a contributing writer to magazines and newspapers. Indeed, his seventh book, A Year in Provence, chronicles a year in the life of a British expatriate who settled in the village of Ménerbes. His book A Good Year was the basis for the eponymous 2006 film directed by Ridley Scott and starring actor Russell Crowe. Peter Mayle died in Provence, France.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 371 reviews
November 23, 2012
Another slow read, mostly as a result of frequent over-cuteness and plain old annoyance.
On the surface, this one should have been very well-suited to my tastes. I love caper stories. It seems that much of the appeal is ruined, however, when all of the lead characters in the caper story are already well-to-do, fashionable and near-insufferably smug with their own fabulousness. Toward the end of the story, when one of these smirking, sophisticated Manhattanites is suddenly and unconvincingly transformed into a breathless and wide-eyed schoolgirl because “I get to see Paris!?!” it sticks out like a sore thumb.
The story did feature plenty of entertaining characters, lines and scenes, but even if the “aren’t we so marvelous” bits didn’t rub one the wrong way, the ending was an absolute blank squib. Like The Grapes of Wrath, the book just quits with no resolution whatsoever; unlike Steinbeck, Mayle had only written a short, breezy “beach” novel before he bailed out. I swear, I’m just about done bothering with authors whose biography includes something like “so-and-so divides his time between New York and his 14th-century Tuscan villa.”
On the surface, this one should have been very well-suited to my tastes. I love caper stories. It seems that much of the appeal is ruined, however, when all of the lead characters in the caper story are already well-to-do, fashionable and near-insufferably smug with their own fabulousness. Toward the end of the story, when one of these smirking, sophisticated Manhattanites is suddenly and unconvincingly transformed into a breathless and wide-eyed schoolgirl because “I get to see Paris!?!” it sticks out like a sore thumb.
The story did feature plenty of entertaining characters, lines and scenes, but even if the “aren’t we so marvelous” bits didn’t rub one the wrong way, the ending was an absolute blank squib. Like The Grapes of Wrath, the book just quits with no resolution whatsoever; unlike Steinbeck, Mayle had only written a short, breezy “beach” novel before he bailed out. I swear, I’m just about done bothering with authors whose biography includes something like “so-and-so divides his time between New York and his 14th-century Tuscan villa.”
March 12, 2017
3 Stars - Good book.
I've read three books by Peter Mayle as of right now. He sure knows how to write easy-to-read, enjoyable books. Though I will say that this is the lowest-rating book I've given one of his books. (I gave both A Year in Provence and Anything Considered 4 stars).
The premise is easy enough to understand: photographer Andre Kelly discovers something fishy going on with some important (and pricey) paintings while on a job in France. As readers, we see both the work of the so-called detectives and the thieves. It's not an original plot but it is, generally, well done. This isn't a groundbreaking book but a fun read (beach read maybe?). The plot is relatively predictable but I still enjoyed it.
I've read three books by Peter Mayle as of right now. He sure knows how to write easy-to-read, enjoyable books. Though I will say that this is the lowest-rating book I've given one of his books. (I gave both A Year in Provence and Anything Considered 4 stars).
The premise is easy enough to understand: photographer Andre Kelly discovers something fishy going on with some important (and pricey) paintings while on a job in France. As readers, we see both the work of the so-called detectives and the thieves. It's not an original plot but it is, generally, well done. This isn't a groundbreaking book but a fun read (beach read maybe?). The plot is relatively predictable but I still enjoyed it.
September 24, 2014
I think I’ve figured out Peter Mayle’s style: Start with England or America. Add one out-of-luck or down-at-heart bachelor with a heart of gold and cosmopolitan tastes. Add a believable reason to go to the south of France, throw in a girl and some lunch and some sort of scam. Let the adventure begin.
Both Chasing Cezanne and Anything Considered follow this pattern (in Cezanne the scam involves a stolen painting; in Anything it’s the truffle industry at stake), but Mayle writes so wonderfully, so wittily, so deliciously, who cares? The adventure and situations are believable, but you know it will turn out right in the end, in time for the next meal.
I find reading one of Mayle's books as gratifying as taking a day off from work.
Both Chasing Cezanne and Anything Considered follow this pattern (in Cezanne the scam involves a stolen painting; in Anything it’s the truffle industry at stake), but Mayle writes so wonderfully, so wittily, so deliciously, who cares? The adventure and situations are believable, but you know it will turn out right in the end, in time for the next meal.
I find reading one of Mayle's books as gratifying as taking a day off from work.
August 22, 2016
Andre Kelly is a free-lance photographer who has been making a good living documenting the homes of the rich and famous for DQ, a decorating / architectural magazine whose editor, Camilla, is a fierce as she is fabulous. On assignment in the south of France, Andre decides to take a little break to visit the daughter of a former photo shoot subject. When he arrives at their villa, it’s clear the family is not in residence, but he notices two men loading a Cezanne into a plumber’s van. He knows the painting because Camilla had insisted he get close-ups of the masterpiece. Always the photojournalist, he snaps a few photos and goes back to New York, where he calls the owner of the villa to report the odd occurrence and that’s when things get interesting.
This is a fun romp of a crime caper, featuring the rich and famous, a couple of big-time art thieves, a curious (but legitimate) art dealer, and an art forger who is ready to make a change. Of course, there’s also a lovely young lady to brighten the landscape. And who could argue against the delights and magic of Paris and Provence, the exuberance of young love, and the many wonderful meals? The whole thing is ridiculous, but charming, in the way some of the Cary Grant movies of the 1940s and 1950s were. A light and breezy, nice and easy summer beach read.
This is a fun romp of a crime caper, featuring the rich and famous, a couple of big-time art thieves, a curious (but legitimate) art dealer, and an art forger who is ready to make a change. Of course, there’s also a lovely young lady to brighten the landscape. And who could argue against the delights and magic of Paris and Provence, the exuberance of young love, and the many wonderful meals? The whole thing is ridiculous, but charming, in the way some of the Cary Grant movies of the 1940s and 1950s were. A light and breezy, nice and easy summer beach read.
January 15, 2009
I didn't realise Mayle wrote novels as well. I picked this up at the Naseby book sale and it was an ok holiday read without getting too cerebral!! I had to laugh that half way through the book the central character Andre suffered a typo and became Andrew for a minute!! I dutifully scribbled out the w. How could that happen!!!
August 16, 2021
Despite the one missing page (Em, I’m looking at you), I loved it! Mayle does such a nice job of transporting you into the story, but I need to remind myself to space out his books, because it’s definitely a style that gets repetitive quickly.
July 22, 2012
I tried reading this book years ago and just couldn't get into it - this surprised me because I am a big fan of Peter Mayle's non-fiction writing about his life in France, and in general I like a good art heist story. So, I decided to try again. I had a little more luck this second time around, but still found that the story failed to really hold my attention. The basic story line is that a magazine photographer who takes pictures of the homes and art of the rich and famous, finds himself photographing what he believes to be the theft of a Cezanne. As he reveals his find to the home owner and his connections in the magazine art world, he finds that they are not as eager as he to get to the bottom of the problem. His interest takes him sleuthing throughout France as he uncovers a web of art forgery and deception. The writing in terms of the quirky characters reminded me a lot of Alexander McCall Smith - a fun little mystery - and a nice escape to France. Perfect for reading with my latte and chocolate croissant on a Satuday morning.
February 5, 2014
Light entertainment, some nice descriptions of art. The ending was abrupt and left a lot of questions unanswered. The most enjoyable part of the book was the description of Paris and the French countryside--and the food!
December 24, 2024
“Charming…like a Cary Grant movie”, was a description I totally agree with, written as a review on GoodReads.
Once the characters traveled to Paris and Aix, the story picked up in a much more engaging way. The art collector, the photographer, the art forger, the pretty lady, and the bad guys- who will make it out alive, with the Cezanne original??
Once the characters traveled to Paris and Aix, the story picked up in a much more engaging way. The art collector, the photographer, the art forger, the pretty lady, and the bad guys- who will make it out alive, with the Cezanne original??
March 2, 2022
Ending was abrupt when the rest of the book was slow moving. Female characters 2 dimensional plus plenty of objectification of women in general.
November 16, 2023
Chasing Cezanne was funny, a mystery and more than that you got to view and be immersed in two different cities, New York, and Paris as well as other regions of France.
The characters were on point. Mayle’s descriptions were thorough enough that you could easily visualize an expression or look or attitude.
The story begins simply with a man taking photographs for a magazine. It continues to be normal until he accidentally views something mysterious.
The plot rebounds between New York and France.
It is not some deep secret or mystery that you can’t figure out but fun , pure fun with good prose.
This is the author, who wrote A Year in Provence.
Enough said!
The characters were on point. Mayle’s descriptions were thorough enough that you could easily visualize an expression or look or attitude.
The story begins simply with a man taking photographs for a magazine. It continues to be normal until he accidentally views something mysterious.
The plot rebounds between New York and France.
It is not some deep secret or mystery that you can’t figure out but fun , pure fun with good prose.
This is the author, who wrote A Year in Provence.
Enough said!
July 13, 2024
Hrvatska naslovnica je davala dojam da se radi o pravoj ljetnoj knjizi. Nije ni velika pa me ponukalo da je pocnem citati docim sam je kupio, iako me na polici ceka pozamasan broj vec davno kupljenih knjiga. Iskreno, razocarao sam se. Radnja nije Bog zna sta, a i jako se sporo odvija. "Akcije" ima tek na zadnjih pedesetak stranica knjige, ali ne dovoljno da knjizi dam vise od 2 zvjezdice.
Read
September 15, 2025This book's copyright is 1997 and my paperback was printed in 1998. I acquired it used from somewhere since I had read a number of Peter Mayle's memoirs of his time spent in Provence. This was a light fictional book set in New York City and various locations in France. Its interest for me was the settings, the food descriptions and French life and culture. The plot was mildly interesting - part mystery dealing with a stolen Cezanne and part romance. I will be passing this book onto Elisa, my Francophile.
March 19, 2023
Although the plot got a lot better in the second half of the story, it was still a bit boring. Aside from the beautiful descriptions of Paris and the food, it was just mediocre.
March 7, 2017
What a strangely paced book. Far too dull in the beginning, leading to a very rushed ending that resolved nothing. Do we ever get to see the bad characters get their comeuppance, or the good characters get the rewards of their efforts? Not at all. This one had a lot of potential to be extremely satisfying at the ending, but it's almost as if a final chapter was shaved off in the editing process.
Not to mention the dreadful way that this author writes women. They are all either spoiled brats, pretentious and overly-glib one dimensional manhattanite bitches, or the desired object of the main character Andre.
The one thing I will say for this book is that the author can paint a beautiful picture of food and France.
This book left me hungry for food I can't afford and for revenge the main characters never get. Ugh!
Not to mention the dreadful way that this author writes women. They are all either spoiled brats, pretentious and overly-glib one dimensional manhattanite bitches, or the desired object of the main character Andre.
The one thing I will say for this book is that the author can paint a beautiful picture of food and France.
This book left me hungry for food I can't afford and for revenge the main characters never get. Ugh!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2012
Chasing Cézanne is a lighthearted, quick read novel that takes us from New York City, Bahamas, England, Paris and the south of France. Professional photographer Andre Kelly has just completed an assignment in the south of France. Rather than heading straight back to wintry NYC, he decides to drop in on some people he met on another assignment. He soon realizes that no one is home, but then notices that the Denoyer's handy man "Old Claude" is helping to load a Cézanne in a plumber's truck. Something about the whole thing seems a little strange, so he takes a few pictures and heads back to New York City puzzling over what he should do.
There are two things going on this book. One is the story about greed in the art world. This is where the action is, as Kelly makes contacts in attempt to figure out what has happened to the Cézanne. Based on my knowledge of this subject -- that is, I saw the 1998 movie Incognito starring Jason Patric, which is about another art forgery scheme -- I found the plot credible. Again, this is lighthearted, don't expect a lot of technical detail.
And they do stop to eat quite often. That's the other thing going on in this book -- the highest quality dining ever to appear in any novel that I've read. I was reminded of my Parisian business trips with the three hour lunches and lots of wine before each customer presentation. (I didn't speak French so they didn't notice the slurring...) Since we are getting ready to move to a warmer climate anyway, I actually started thinking that we should just go to the south of France. Really, the cheese alone would be worth it!
I debated as to which section to stick this book in. It's not a mystery. Although it reads like a cozy, there's no dead body. It's zany and witty and has some funny scenes, but not so much that I'd stick in the Laugh Out Loud section. The tone through me off, but I realized that this has many of the characteristics of books in the international thriller section. There are bad guys and the likable not so bad guys (when it comes to greed, no one is perfect). There's something being stolen and there is the chase. And I think they could make it into a movie - Babette's Feast worked, didn't it?
There are two things going on this book. One is the story about greed in the art world. This is where the action is, as Kelly makes contacts in attempt to figure out what has happened to the Cézanne. Based on my knowledge of this subject -- that is, I saw the 1998 movie Incognito starring Jason Patric, which is about another art forgery scheme -- I found the plot credible. Again, this is lighthearted, don't expect a lot of technical detail.
And they do stop to eat quite often. That's the other thing going on in this book -- the highest quality dining ever to appear in any novel that I've read. I was reminded of my Parisian business trips with the three hour lunches and lots of wine before each customer presentation. (I didn't speak French so they didn't notice the slurring...) Since we are getting ready to move to a warmer climate anyway, I actually started thinking that we should just go to the south of France. Really, the cheese alone would be worth it!
I debated as to which section to stick this book in. It's not a mystery. Although it reads like a cozy, there's no dead body. It's zany and witty and has some funny scenes, but not so much that I'd stick in the Laugh Out Loud section. The tone through me off, but I realized that this has many of the characteristics of books in the international thriller section. There are bad guys and the likable not so bad guys (when it comes to greed, no one is perfect). There's something being stolen and there is the chase. And I think they could make it into a movie - Babette's Feast worked, didn't it?
September 16, 2015
I grabbed this book for free at The Book Thing (haven't heard of it? GOOGLE)...because it took place in France and it was written by "the GREAT" Peter Mayle...I have never been a fan of this writer, but he seems to be adored, so a book of his for free? I thought I'd grab it and try to figure out why he is soooooo popular. Flash forward a year and a half....I am stuck at my Dad's house in the middle of nowhere with nothing to read....so I go into my boxes of stuff and located my box of "books to read"....this was on the top, so I thought, why not? I curled up on his (covered in fur) arm chair and got to work while I waited for news on my sick car.....30 pages before I finished reading, the mechanic called..with no explanation to my car's problems....
In the end...I paid $75 to be told my car isn't overheating (it is) and I finished this book and still don't understand why people love Mayle....he writes sweet stories with TOO many adjectives....and no real problems. No one is going to die, no one is going to lose their painting....and of course, the bad guy, is the bad guy. The only good thing was that the book kept me distracted from being stuck at my Dad's....and wishing I had a different book.
The story is about a photographer who sees something suspicious regarding a painting he had photographed a couple months back....and ends up taking a lot of trips to Europe (how can one afford this) to figure out what is really happening....oh and his evil boss....who is also overly rich.... or maybe my life is just boring?
Read: if stuck at your father's house with nothing else to read...
In the end...I paid $75 to be told my car isn't overheating (it is) and I finished this book and still don't understand why people love Mayle....he writes sweet stories with TOO many adjectives....and no real problems. No one is going to die, no one is going to lose their painting....and of course, the bad guy, is the bad guy. The only good thing was that the book kept me distracted from being stuck at my Dad's....and wishing I had a different book.
The story is about a photographer who sees something suspicious regarding a painting he had photographed a couple months back....and ends up taking a lot of trips to Europe (how can one afford this) to figure out what is really happening....oh and his evil boss....who is also overly rich.... or maybe my life is just boring?
Read: if stuck at your father's house with nothing else to read...
November 15, 2009
Andre Kelly is a freelance photographer who does a lot of work for a decorating magazine. While in France he stops by a house where he shot pictures in the past and sees a Cezanne being loaded into a plumbers truck. Andre then becomes obsessed, for no apparent reason, with finding out why this happened. Even after getting a perfectly valid explanation from the paintings owner he is still obsessed with it.
I wouldn't classify this book as a thriller. It's mostly Andre travelling around wondering about this painting. there is a little bit of action thrown in hapazardly at the end of the book. The book also just randomly decides to end. I didn't care at all about Andre, his friends or the blasted painting.
I wouldn't classify this book as a thriller. It's mostly Andre travelling around wondering about this painting. there is a little bit of action thrown in hapazardly at the end of the book. The book also just randomly decides to end. I didn't care at all about Andre, his friends or the blasted painting.
November 14, 2007
Honestly, it was silly. I expected better of the renowned travel writer.
Typical elements involved: Fashionable New York living, trips to Paris, fancy meals and drinks, falling in love with a beautiful woman, rich & sympathetic patron, nasty bad guys, somehow invincible good guys, art theft using a local delivery van.
Unusual elements: The narrative switched viewpoints among nearly all the characters involved, so we know what's going on in everyone's heads. ... and that's all I can come up with for unusual elements.
Typical elements involved: Fashionable New York living, trips to Paris, fancy meals and drinks, falling in love with a beautiful woman, rich & sympathetic patron, nasty bad guys, somehow invincible good guys, art theft using a local delivery van.
Unusual elements: The narrative switched viewpoints among nearly all the characters involved, so we know what's going on in everyone's heads. ... and that's all I can come up with for unusual elements.
July 29, 2015
I loved this book from the very beginning. I love how Mayle changed up a little bit from his other books and Made the Cezanne painting the other character in the book. Typically it is wine or food, but this one took a different turn. The painting became this forbidden woman that everyone wanted and could not have. This one by far is by favorite Mayle book, or until I find the next one that is just as good.
January 19, 2009
Mildly amusing book- I still think that Mayle was at his best with A Year in Provence. It was interesting to see him take a stab at another genre. There were moments that reminded me too much of the magazine industry as portrayed in The Devil Wears Prada but on the whole, the spoof pulls off just fine.
December 9, 2016
Tried so hard but just couldn't get into this book despite the author's intent to create suspense to hold the reader's attention. For me, the suspense never occurred. So much less interesting than Mayle's other books.
February 28, 2018
În căutarea lui Cezanne e cea mai bună carte a lui Peter Mayle pe care am citit-o până acum. O lectură ușoară, plăcută, fără excese.
https://dorinadanila.com/2018/02/28/i...
https://dorinadanila.com/2018/02/28/i...
February 5, 2014
OK story of art forger.
Photographer.
What happens when a Cezanne is forged twice.
Fairly uninspired.
Photographer.
What happens when a Cezanne is forged twice.
Fairly uninspired.
January 10, 2016
Delightful but this author is very samey across all his work
December 20, 2017
2 Stars - Great descriptions of French food. Objectifying descriptions of most women.
September 2, 2021
A cute beach read.
English: https://elifthereader.com/books/chasi...
Türkçe: https://kitaplikkedisi.com/kitaplar/c...
English: https://elifthereader.com/books/chasi...
Türkçe: https://kitaplikkedisi.com/kitaplar/c...
January 24, 2025
A bit slow at the start. Tells the story of Andre Kelly, a freelance photographer, and his run-in with a Cezanne being supposedly stolen right before his eyes. He runs around New York trying to get answers but no one wants to help him, until he meets a man called Cyrus Pine, a respected art dealer. Together, with Andre's "girlfriend" for some reason, they go to Europe to hunt down this Cezanne, and get it back to safety. They discover that Holtz, the mastermind of the bait (take the real Cezanne) and switch (put up a fake version), is aware of their game and goes to hunt them down. They eventually get away and, quite literally, sail off into the sunset.
I honestly give it a 2.5/5.0 stars.
Though I love a good mystery/thriller type of book, this simply missed the mark. The suspense was lackluster at best, and I found it hard to continue flipping through each page. Exposition was long for no reason, and by the end, the character that Mayle wrote so much about in the start was barely a part of the story anymore! Mayle also inserted a random hot woman to act as the main character's arm candy for no reason other than the fact that she "wanted to go to Paris." Mind you, I thought that they were cute together, but it didn't serve the story at all. The last third of the book went by in a blur, and not a good way. Multiple page breaks filled each page, jumping from POV to POV, as if darting in between different characters in a high-stakes TV show. However, this was done to a fault and the world building fell short. Nothing was described well; it simply seemed rushed. The ending was lack-luster and filled with loose ends for every single character. Mayle alludes to something happening when everyone is finally back in NYC where, revenge can be paid out, but we never even get to that point. I did appreciate the French countryside and little bursts of French here and there, though it was a bit cringe at time - there is no need to say, "the putain car in front of him," just say, "the fucking car in front of him."
It was an okay read, but I don't think I would recommend.
I honestly give it a 2.5/5.0 stars.
Though I love a good mystery/thriller type of book, this simply missed the mark. The suspense was lackluster at best, and I found it hard to continue flipping through each page. Exposition was long for no reason, and by the end, the character that Mayle wrote so much about in the start was barely a part of the story anymore! Mayle also inserted a random hot woman to act as the main character's arm candy for no reason other than the fact that she "wanted to go to Paris." Mind you, I thought that they were cute together, but it didn't serve the story at all. The last third of the book went by in a blur, and not a good way. Multiple page breaks filled each page, jumping from POV to POV, as if darting in between different characters in a high-stakes TV show. However, this was done to a fault and the world building fell short. Nothing was described well; it simply seemed rushed. The ending was lack-luster and filled with loose ends for every single character. Mayle alludes to something happening when everyone is finally back in NYC where, revenge can be paid out, but we never even get to that point. I did appreciate the French countryside and little bursts of French here and there, though it was a bit cringe at time - there is no need to say, "the putain car in front of him," just say, "the fucking car in front of him."
It was an okay read, but I don't think I would recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 371 reviews