A Piano in the Pyrenees cover art

A Piano in the Pyrenees

The Ups and Downs of an Englishman in the French Mountains

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A Piano in the Pyrenees

By: Tony Hawks
Narrated by: Tony Hawks
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About this listen

 Inspired by breathtaking views, and dreaming of finding love and romance in the mountains, Tony Hawks impulsively buys a house in the French Pyrenees. Here he imagines he will finally fulfil his childhood fantasy of mastering the piano, untroubled by the problems of the world. However, Tony's account of stumbling into the world of overseas home ownership is perhaps best heard as a useful manual of how not to go about buying a house abroad. The man who once travelled around Ireland with a fridge is hopelessly ill prepared for this latest adventure - though the consequences are hilarious.©2006 Tony Hawks (P)2007 Isis Publishing Ltd. Europe Travel Writing & Commentary Western Europe Funny Witty France Feel-Good Suspenseful

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Critic reviews

"Hugely entertaining." ( The Mirror)
"Funny and irreverent as ever." ( Wanderlust)
"A warmly comic adventure." ( Daily Mail)
All stars
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After reading 'Fridge' and 'Playing Moldovan's' I expected a high level of laughs, but this Tony Hawks' third book, felt flat and a very self absorbed story, compared to his other two book, it is hardly daring to buy a French house on the spur of the moment and then tie this into a 'love' story of his own, Hoping for better from his future books

Left disappointed

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I listened to this book 3 times and I still laugh out loud very funny.

funny

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I don't laugh out loud easily, but this talking book caused me to do so a lot. His humourous observations are kind, not cruel and his reading style enhances this. His vocal impressions of his French neighbours intersperse the monologue well. It makes you want to visit this French village. I particularly liked the chair lift 'episode' towards the end. There are enough characters in the book, but not so many that you get confused. I hope Tony records a new book soon.

Very funny, gentle humour.

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Big fan of Tony Hawkes, who in my opinion is much underrated. This book is a good deal more mature than his earlier works (I loved Round Ireland with a Fridge) and it brings a new romantic side to his accounts. Still very funny but also quite touching.

More please Tony!

Funny, interesting and moving

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A more relaxed story from Tony Hawks with more of a meandering everyday occurrences as opposed to his travel books.

Easy listen

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Bought this for a drive through France. It made the journey fly by. Great narration which was both funny and moving. Highly recommended

Great listen, great narration

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Having decided to join audible books via the amazon link, and getting a free credit ,I was unsure as to which book I wanted to listen too. Looking through the list I came across this book by Tony Hawks and having heard about his trip round Ireland with a fridge thought this might be a good first listen, and how right I was.

This was the first book of Tony's I had read or listened too. it is light hearted, very amusing and kept me listening intensely throughout it entire telling. His description of events from the very start with his mates at football and drinking occasions through his van troubles and "hotel" experiences (very true) to the settling in to the rural community life and actually using the "piano" referred to in the title, all bring a warming feeling to ones heart, and helps to re-live similar hotel and rural events I had.

The authors own reading of his story also brings a very personal touch to this story and helps to tell it in such a wonderfully descriptive and "personal" way that the book is bought very much to life.

A truly wonderful read and well worth the wait for the slightly odd way of breaking it into 2 downloads for my kindle.

First review

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Thank you Tony, for lovely company through your story. It’s a joy to listen to, and I wish there were more books like this.

Gentle amusing lovely

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Listened to this on the long drive down through France from Calais to Biarritz - it was perfect entertainment, but it was almost too entertaining, and I nearly crashed twice due to laughing so hard I could barely see... Best enjoyed while not behind the wheel! But Tony Hawks certainly captured every ounce of comdey to be had from Brits in France, so when you need cheering up, download this and sit back and enjoy.

Health Warning: Don't Listen & Drive!

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I have read all of Tony Hawks' books in paperback and thoroughly enjoyed his wistful humour and adventurous attitude to life. The audiobook is a delight because Tony's reading voice is so soothing. Very enjoyable.

A soothing, gently humorous read

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