An American in Provence: Art, Life and Photography by Jamie Beck

An American in Provence: Art, Life and Photography Reviews

• 
  Sherry

  meh - too much 'it's all about me' and way too many dramatic selfies.
• 
  Agnes

  I cannot recall where I heard about this book a couple of months ago, but I had forgotten all about it when it popped up as available in my library holds. I came for photographs of Provence, which are generally welcome in the dregs of a DC winter. What I got instead were “art photos” of the author herself, generally in terrible taste (e.g., posing to recreate famous paintings, almost exclusively in either flowing white dresses or mostly nude) and staged still lives, all with a very under-saturated palette. The book would more aptly have been titled “My Breasts in Provence.” And don’t get me started on the tiny font text. It is the most self-congratulatory drivel I’ve read in a long time, full of “discoveries” that people just live normal lives outside of Manhattan and a great deal of self-promotion. Bill’s assessment is that it reads like a printed Instagram feed, which is far too generous an assessment in my opinion, as the book lacks any wit, which can occasionally be found on Instagram.
• 
  Phyllis

  The title and sub-title tell you what the book is about – an American (woman) moves to Provence and slows down to really experience her life and to spend time making photos just for herself. The title doesn’t tell you that it’s a lovely, oversized coffee table book full of gorgeous photos, French recipes, instructional photography tutorials and more. I have been following Jamie Beck on Instagram because she lives in France and is an amazing photographer. When I heard about this book, I couldn’t wait to read it.
  
  I had to laugh at the reviewers who criticized her photos and her writing. Yes, it’s all about her – it’s a memoir for crying out loud! She writes about how she discovered herself in the peaceful French countryside after living for years in the high-stress, fast-paced world of New York City.
  
  The book is organized by seasons, with a French glossary and an extremely helpful index to assist you in easily locating what you’re looking for.
  
  I found her writing style to be thoughtful, reflective, and often poetic. I do agree with other commenters that the font is too small (I’m glad to know it wasn’t just me). But the beautiful photos - of which many look like just like paintings – compensate for that issue.
  
  This would make a wonderful gift for a Francophile, art lover, photographer, armchair traveler, or anyone who appreciates well-written memoirs.
• 
  Ashleu

  There was a point in this book where she was like "I know how privileged this sounds"...because it was. There was wildly so much privilege that was never mentioned more than one fleeting sentence. I'm not denying that Beck worked hard, but there was so much "deeper" things she could have discussed.
  
  I'm sure this book is perfect for so many people, I was not that person.
• 
  Randal White

  If for no other reason, buy this book for the photographs! They are beautiful. I fell in love with them. When I look at them, I can feel myself escaping inside them and having all kinds of wonderful adventures!
• 
  Kristen Lancia

  The most stunning and inspirational book I have picked up this year! It exudes such joy and reading it is like taking a vacation to Provence. I will enjoy it and it’s recipes for many years to come.
• 
  Kaye

  Jamie Beck is a successful professional photographer. She experiences a rough airplane landing where her last thought is, if I land safely I’m moving to France. And surprisingly she actually does it. The book covers her adjusting to the simpler life style of the French countryside. She is not in tourist areas so needs to be able to communicate in French. She talks about going from staying in her apartment and trying a new restaurant once a week to embracing others and exposing herself to more as she becomes more comfortable in her surroundings. Her photos are a star of the book. Beautiful landscapes, self portraits and still life’s of food and breads that make my mouth water are lovely. She includes lessons she learned along the way. I carefully read her photography tips, some work for a camera phones while others are more elaborate. She also talks about food and includes some recipes. I really enjoyed what I read and saw unfortunately my eARC only included 99 pages of over 300. I downloaded the file a few times with the same results. So I was only able to read Autumn and part of Winter. Based on what I saw I think this would appeal to Froncofiles, travelers, cooks, photographers and anyone who ever thought of changing their life and living abroad. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon Element for a temporary eARC in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Samantha

  I’m a fan of Jamie Beck’s photography and picked up this coffee table book expecting it to be mostly her photographs but was surprised to discover some really lovely written pieces about finding beauty, taking chances and following your passion. Her photography is stunning also and the whole book was an experience of her art and creative process.
• 
  Vanessa Johnson

  I love books that celebrate the glory of each season and I dream of returning to Provence so I enjoyed this book and I am sure I will return to it for the beautiful recipes and inspiration! However, I was put off by some of the cliches ("To use your gut is to free yourself from a lifetime of cultural influence, parental guidance, and educational practices and begin the journey of discovering your own truth") and while I am all for appreciating the beauty of the human form, some of the nudity was not very tasteful.
• 
  Julia Luckett

  Love the message, not a fan of the messenger.
• 
  Caitlin

  3.5 stars. I've followed the author on social media for years and always enjoy peeking inside her Provencal world.
• 
  Carol

  Beautiful photography (though a tad overdone with the self-portraits) accompanied by personal essays, recipes, photography tutorials. As someone who has spent much time in France and is also an enthusiastic (though amateur) photographer, I did enjoy this book. My major complaint is the difficulty in reading it (from a visual standpoint)…too small a font, too little white space, and not a crisp enough definition of print against page. Still enjoyable!
• 
  Jennifer

  An American in Provence is a surprising account of one woman's move to Provence - and I say "surprising" because an American moving to France is not a revolutionary premise, but the way Jamie tells her story is. We are taken along the journey, as Jamie sheds her old life, and her old perceptions of herself.
  
  I was lucky enough to interview Jamie Beck for the Storytime in Paris podcast. Here is what I said:
  
  "Ep 45. Jamie Beck, “An American in Provence”
  
  Welcome to the season finale of Season Four of Storytime in Paris! I have a very special guest for you: Jamie Beck is a world-renowned photographer whose photographs are almost an extension of herself. Her list of credits is long and impressive, and speckled with world famous brands like Chanel, Donna Karan, Nike, Oscar de la Renta, Netflix, Disney, Google, Samsung, Microsoft, Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, to name but a few. Among her many accolades, Jamie has twice been named as one of the industry’s top 100 creatives by Adweek magazine.
  
  And yet, one year, she decided to give it all up. To move by herself to a remote village in Provence and see what could happen. The result was life-changing. Jamie’s book “An American in Provence,” is a beautiful memoir of that first year, combining personal relevations, recipes she loved, photographic tips, and her own stunning photography and, as of the very morning we spoke, it is a New York Times bestseller."
  
  Find the full episode on
  parisundergroundradio.com/storytimein..., or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
• 
  Roseann

  I fell in love with Jamie’s enthusiasm and romanticism during Covid, where she shared detailed BTS instagram stories of her daily isolation creation series. She created a new detailed still life photograph or self portrait EVERY DAY. Who was this remarkably talented and prolific photographer who delights in the curl of a leaf and and the path of a snail??
  
  I devoured this book. Stopping halfway through to cook myself a lunch of pasta with onion, shallots, white wine, cream and shiitake mushrooms, topped with parsley and Parmesan (but after reading they I think I need to up my Parmesan game) because you cannot read these beautiful recipes without your stomach growling.
  
  I loved the format—broken up into four seasons, with essays, photographs and recipes from each. It is such an ENJOYABLE read.
  
  I was a little disappointed there was no mention of Covid or her isolation creation series, because it seemed so pivotal. And I find the whole concept so compelling. But maybe it will be a book of its own someday? I suppose one has to start somewhere and this was a wonderful place to start.
• 
  Elisenda

  Exactly one year ago, I was in Provence. My husband and I went there for our belated honeymoon. I wanted to see this old world and experience its culture, even if briefly. Not a day goes by since that I don’t think of those two weeks traveling through the Luberon. Of our little flat over the Tim Tim shop, of the sound of bells ringing through Aix, of the food, but most of all that magical light.
  Reading Jamie Beck’s book was both a delight and a torture (I say this in the kindest of ways). I don’t know that I’ll go back to the South of France soon, but my heart is certainly begging for it after immersing myself in her world of flowers, food, photography, and provençal ease. I think it’s the ease that tugs at my soul. Not that her life is easy, I would not dare to think that. But that ease of life. The simplicity with which the provençal people lead theirs.
  In a world where we are all burnt out, aimlessly trying to find our callings, while desperately chasing after money because there seems to be no other choice, reading this book felt like a wake up call to at least make an effort to find beauty and joy wherever we are.
  First step: delete Doordash and cook my own food.
• 
  Meagan

  3.5 stars.
  
  It's funny: I just read a book the other day that I couldn't get into because I couldn't seem to connect with the author's voice. I hadn't been familiar with them before, and the book made me casually interested in looking up their socials--but that was about it.
  
  This read was similar in that I wasn't familiar with the author prior to picking up the book--but it quickly made me a fan! Her voice and story were immediately engaging, and I am glad I stumbled across it. (And now I would like to pack up and move to Provence. Thank you, Jamie Beck. ;D)
  
  A few of the pics weren't really my jam--a bit too sensual for my taste--and there was some language, including an f-bomb, which was unfortunate.
  
  But, I really enjoyed the photography tips and food recipes. Mmmmm, methinks I'd really enjoy (eating) French cooking! LOL! And, I loved Beck's challenging of the continual pursuit of looking young and doing more-more-more/#allthethings. In this Advent season, especially, I am encouraged to slow down, experience life, and engage all the senses. This book definitely helps with that.
• 
  Casey Scarbrough

  This is a really beautiful book about making a major life change and self-discovery in a beautiful world. It definitely idolizes French life and art, which is shown through breathtaking photos and interesting recipes. This book is a good one to relax with with a cup of coffee or glass of wine. There’s a lot to appreciate about the slow-living lifestyle that the French enjoy, and the descriptions were very elegant and pleasant to read.
  
  I couldn’t relate to some of the author’s views and opinions like the romanticism of motherhood. I’m a naturalist myself, and being close to nature has never made me yearn to bring life into the world. The way she always described winter as dead and spring as life also irked me a little. Winter is a beautiful season to me. That said, I appreciate that self-discovery is a unique and individual journey, and as a whole I found it to be an inspiring and interesting story. I see this as a book that I’ll keep on the shelf and look back through from time to time too.
• 
  Margaret

  Pros: The title of this book caught my attention because A Year in Provence is one of my favorite memoirs. Then I read the description of the book—which said it’s perfect for art lovers and armchair travelers and is an art book/travelogue/memoir/cookbook—and knew I had to read it. The author/photographer’s photographs throughout are beautiful (Provence is so charming and picturesque), and now I want all travelogues to include photographs. I think this book would be perfectly paired with a glass of wine and some bread and cheese or with one of the recipes included in the book, e.g., French onion soup. I loved that this book also included some educational sections including common French words and sayings, wine tasting and serving how-tos, and photography tutorials.
  
  Cons: The only con I can think of is that I am sad I’m not in Provence.
  
  Thank you to NetGalley and S&S/Simon Element for the opportunity to read this book.
  
• 
  Brandi

  A self-confessed armchair traveler, this memoir was perfect! I was drawn to the art and curious about an American’s experiences living in France. Jamie is a truly talented artist who poignantly tells her story of traveling to France and finding her home. The photos are stunning and the insights to her experiences were enlightening. I appreciated the recipes she shared and her experiences in learning how to make them authentic. Jamie bridges the gap across these two countries to share her life, art, and travel experiences. Get lost in Provence with Jamie in this beautiful book.
  
  I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.
• 
  Jill

  I’ve been a long time follower of Jamie Beck, and I’ve loved seeing her journey from city girl to a woman of Provence. She’s a remarkably talented artist who clearly has transformed her whole life to living creatively. Her words can feel a bit pretentious at times and while I have zero doubt Provence is incredible, she makes it seem like it’s the only place where one can find connection to the rhythms and cycles of the natural world. I’m also somewhat disappointed with the images selected for the book. I didn’t feel like they were as strong as what you can find on her Instagram page. With that said, I love her connection to nature, her embrace of the world around her, and to her commitment to living her inspiring, artistic life.
• 
  Denver Public Library

  Part art book, part travelogue, part memoir, and part cookbook, An American in Provence was born from Beck’s intent to slow down from her fast-paced life in New York City by moving to the French countryside and documenting her life. Reminiscent of the lush Dutch masterpieces, Beck shows the mastery of her craft through her breathtaking photography of landscapes, floral arrangements, food, and wonderfully original self portraits. Beck emphasizes the richness of both earthly and cosmic pleasures, inducing a deeper meditation on the possibilities that emerge when we slow our pace, rest, and renew our spirits with wild intention.
• 
  Tameasa Provencher

  "An American in Provence: Art, Life, and Photography" is an absolutely stunning book. Jamie's eye for beauty translates easily in her photography. You are quickly taken to Provence. You almost can touch everything. The fragrance and aroma of the flowers will intoxicate you. The fruits and vegetables will almost satiate your hunger. However, Jamie shares luscious recipes so that you can truly indulge yourself. I was left quite seduced by the vibrance so generously shared. If you are unable to visit Provence, no worries at all, Jamie will take you there and you will enjoy Provence in all of its beauty.
• 
  Jessica

  I'm gathering from other reviews this is a "you have to know her" kind of thing. (Know her in the one-sided parasocial way, of course.) I've been following Jamie since early in the pandemic, so I liked learning more about her. Much like the last photo book I picked up off my TBR shelf, I thought this would mainly be photography with some headnotes and it was a lovely surprise that there was way more. The variation between personal essays, photography tips, and recipes kept me from getting bored.
  
  That teeny tiny print, though - I don't know if I could have read the whole book without the audio being included in my Scribd account.
• 
  Shannon

  Over the last few years, Jamie Beck has become one of my favorite photographers. She doesn't simply produce beautiful pictures, she creates stunning art that is layered and complex.
  Her daily projects during the multiple french lockdowns got me through the pandemic, so when she announced that she wrote a book, you better believe I pre-ordered immediately.
  Her book isn't a narcissistic endeavor like so many other books in this category. She put her heart on each page and shares all of her secrets for how she creates it all. This book will always have a place on my coffee table
• 
  Cordelia of the Peninsula

  Her descriptions of Provence decades letter essentially mirror those of Peter Mayle’s. As an added bonus, she incorporates tips on art and photography, accumulated through her years working in the industry. She moved to Provence in search of, yes, a calmer and different existence; a good term here would be “going off the grid”, and she did for a while. She, too, met people from the faster-paced, traditional Western lifestyle who tired of that and chose to move to Provence for a slower pace. In fact, there was a reference to a new friend who stated he was getting tired of eating his lunch while working at his desk – a sentiment I whole-heartedly understand).
  
  blog:
  www.cordeliaofthepeninsula.com
  podcast:
  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2195343