Idle in Provence

A Brief History of Thyme
A funny and touching memoir from Eric Idle, founding member of Monty Python.

“A sunny celebration of a life well lived in the South of Franceexcept for the bloody plumbing.” KIRKUS REVIEWS

In 1971, at the beginning of Monty Python mania, Eric Idle bought a crumbling ruin in the hills of Provence. With no electricity, no water, no road, and no plan, he set out to transform the neglected stone shack into what he lovingly calls a shackeau.

Idle in Provence is the story of the transformation of both the place and the man. Against the sun-drenched backdrop of southern France, Idle penned iconic songs and scripts, hosted a revolving door of eccentric and brilliant friendsGeorge Harrison, Robin Williams, Paul Simon, and othersand found a rare kind of peace far from the madness of showbiz. Equal parts memoir, travelogue, and comedy masterclass, the book is filled with lau