It is always interesting to take a look at other parts of France - particularly through the eyes of a foreigner. In his book, A Mule in Rouen, Rob Silverstone takes us on a voyage of discovery through the streets and scenes of Normandy.
A Mule in Rouen - a discovery of upper Normandy
by Rob Silverstone
"A place of gothic splendour and cobbled streets unchanged through the passage of time. Discover Normandy as the cradle of Impressionist art, home to Maupassant and Madame Bovary. Sit at the Café Metropole as Sartre and De Beauvoir did before you. Glide through the apple blossom in countryside still peopled by artisan farmers, producers of sumptuous cheeses and calvados, confit de canard and boudin blanc. Follow the journey of an Englishman as he sets up a restaurant beside the little river Robec, in the old dyers quarter of town. Experience his encounters with a Kafkaesque state and the deeply mistrustful Rouennais. Set foot in every untrodden corner of Upper Normandy. A little local history tour that is good enough to eat."
About the author
Rob Silverstone worked for many years as a chef in Oxford, Copenhagen and Nice, as well as completing a ’stage’ in Michel Guérards’ 3 Michelin star kitchen at Eugénie-les Bains.. Guérard was the European pioneer of light and healthy cuisine.
Rob then became a lecturer in food & nutrition, at Bournemouth and Brighton Universities, and in 1990 Macmillan published his book ’Healthy Eating- a guide for chefs and caterers’. He continued to write extensively on contamination in the food chain and the emergence of vegetarian and organic food.
In 1994 he opened ’The Cook & Fiddle’ on Brighton seafront, using fish from the local fishermen, Sussex High Weald cheeses and Cuckmere Valley wine. In 2000 Rob moved to Rouen in Normandy, and the discovery of the regions’ art, history and cuisine provided the inspiration for this book.
Rob is currently lecturer in food studies at Brighton City College, and has begun a new book, ’A Mule in Brighton.’
You can contact the author at rob.silverstone
What the critics say
’If you enjoyed Peter Mayles’ ’A Year in Provence’, you’re bound to like this similar account of Rob Silverstone’s experiences in Normandy’.
’The Brighton Argus’
’An excellent read. Silverstones’ engaging account of setting up a restaurant in Normandy is a reminder that not all plans run smoothly. What he lacks in luck as an entrepreneur he certainly makes up for as a writer.’
’Everything France’
