This book was received as an ARC from Europa Editions - Europa Compass in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was intrigued from the start when I read the description of this book but what I did not expect, was for this book to be a memoir rather than a cookbook. Even though it was written in the memoir style, Izzo was so descriptive in his book that it felt like I was on tour of Marseilles with him tasting all the wonderful food and smelling all of the aromas of garlic, mint and basil. I also loved in one of the chapters how he remembers that the first girl he ever kissed smelled of garlic and that is how he fell in love with the aroma. Even though I was a little disappointed that there were no recipes featured in the book, I still enjoyed it and I know a lot of our community members will too.

We will consider adding this title to our Cooking collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Nice collection of essays about the culture and life in Marseilles, and also what inspired Izzo to write Mediterranean noir novels. I'm not familiar at all with Izzo's works but I may recommend his novels to noir fans.

This book is a bit misleading in the title and the description as I believed to be a cookbook. I still decided to give it a try as i received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was not a fan of the book. However, for those interested in the work of Jean-Claude Izzo then this is the book for you.

Such a bitter-sweet collection of short essays. I really liked it, but it left me feeling somehow bereft. I wanted there to be a happy ending, but there really isn't. Izzo died so young, with so much still to give. But it introduced me to his writing, which I didn't know at all, and I will read that with a lot of enjoyment I think. Recommended.

A literary read an ode to food and to the city the author loves .Marsielle the food the smells the books he loves a deeply felt read.#netgalley#europabooks

"Garlic, Mint, &Sweet Basil". Jean-Claude Izzo

Beautiful and inviting book cover! But, the reader should not be miss led. It is not a cool book. And, not a book easily read. Should one decide to venture beyond a few pages, this reviewer would suggest that it is one to pick up now and then and read an essay or two at a time.

I thought this was a cookbook but it's not. It was however an interesting read. I recommend for fans of Jean-Claude Izzo.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy of this title in exchange for an unbiased review.

This was not what I expected at all. I thought it was a cookbook but sadly it is not. The author used this book as an intro To his Noir series. It also is a compilation of his favorite foods, music and books if your a fan of this author you might enjoy this book. For me without context I found little depth or meaning in the essays. Unfortunately this wasn’t for me. But not having a true understanding of his work for those that know the author I encourage you to make your own decisions concerning the content. I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

I was disappointed to find this wasn't a cookbook, but did enjoy the various essays I read. I am by no means finished with the book, but it seems to me it's a good one to browse. I agree with Izzo tho' a home just does not smell like home without basil! And garlic- one needs garlic! The mint he can keep! I enjoy the language of this book, so magical and easily imagined scenes, like daydreaming. Lovely translation.