Since 1971, Eric Idle (The Spamalot Diaries) of Monty Python, a "semilegendary comedy troupe," has owned a vacation home in southeastern France. Idle in Provence, "a love letter to Provence, a thank-you, and a valentine to my favorite place," is a charming memoir that is equal parts cheeky and surprisingly melancholy. Idle and his first wife wanted a getaway from showbiz. She found the perfect spot, a forested property on a terraced hillside. It was idyllic, except for one small problem. The dwelling "was a total disaster," with rotted exterior doors and "no bedroom, no kitchen, no bathroom, no drains, no toilet, no plumbing, no floors, no windows, no fireplace, no chimney, no ceilings, no heating, no road, no electricity, no gas, and--ah, yes--no water." So, of course, they bought it.
What follows is a lovingly detailed account of the transformation of this "dream wreck" into a habitable home for himself and his second wife. Idle amusingly describes the challenges they faced, such as having to drill through 75 meters of limestone to find water and fishing an "ex-squirrel" out of the septic tank. He also dealt with personal trials, including the collapse of his first marriage, his pancreatic cancer scare in 2019, and his daughter's institutionalization for bipolar disorder. He handles all of this with a light touch and his customary wit. Idle calls this work "a travel book for people who like to stay home." Indeed, it is: a pleasant holiday with an affable guide. --Michael Magras, freelance book reviewer