Dear Jo, -
Recommending books is always tricky, but here goes:
There is of course that other famous Durrell, brother Lawrence , but I read his novels so long ago that I dare not recommend them. They may have aged - I certainly have!
Books describing a move to a new country, the joys and tribulations of settling in and adapting to a new way of life, became very popular after Peter Mayle published his books about Provence, starting with A Year in Provence, if I remember correctly.
But the genre has always existed, for instance the similar, much earlier series of four books by Lady Fortescue. The first, Perfume from Provence, illustrated with small drawings by E.H. Shepard of Winnie-the-Pooh fame, was first published in 1935, and the sequel, Sunset House, in 1937. Her autobiography, There's Rosemary, There's Rue from 1939, was followed by Trampled Lilies in 1941, a book about the war. These books were reprinted in pocket by Black Swan in 1992, with later reprints. Slightly quaint, but clever and interesting. Not about Corfu, though...
I probably should recommend one or another of the oh so popular Scandinavian crime novels, but I find them far too violent for a relaxing holiday. Instead I'd like to mention the Moomin books by (Ms) Tove Jansson from Finland. (Not the cartoons, although they are good, too.) If you thought they were only for children, think again, and read them with grown-up eyes!
I always find that a few pocket books by old personal favourite authors is the safest bet.
Emeralddragons
