Fifth volume in the bestselling Olive series by writer and actress Carol Drinkwater.

In the bestselling Olive series by writer and actress Carol Drinkwater, author of THE FORGOTTEN SUMMER

'She writes so well you can almost smell the sun-baked countryside' BELLA

'Her writing captures the true spirit of the people and places she visits' THE TIMES

'A thrilling tale tracing the journey of olive cultivation' THE LADY

THE OLIVE TREE charts Carol Drinkwater's colourful and often dangerous journey in search of the routes that olive cultivation has taken over the centuries. Set during a springtime Mediterranean that is evocative and perennial, it is above all a tale of our time.

Troubled by challenges her own South of France farm is experiencing, Carol realises new approaches to farming are becoming essential. Her quest takes her south through Spain, Morocco, Algeria and Italy before she finally returns to her farm.

Through her travels and vivid encounters, Carol confronts some of the critical issues of our time - land-care and the harsh realities of diminishing water reserves - and ends her momentous journey in the company of olive growers whose vision for the future is remarkable and ingenious.

"Her writing captures the true spirit of the people and places she visits" - THE TIMES

"Carol Drinkwater has gone in search of olive growers in the west Mediterranean, documenting her travels and travails with good humour and not a little fortitude" - CHOICE

"An honest tale that brings to life the sights, smells and tastes of the Mediterranean" - LIVING SPAIN

"Drinkwater's passion and curiosity are contagious...lively prose holds unexpectedly poetic bursts and an insightful account of how the Mediterranean treats a woman travelling alone" - THE TIMES

"THE OLIVE TREE is a thrilling tale tracing the journey of olive cultivation" - THE LADY

"Gripping and passionate" - GOOD BOOK GUIDE

"The story contains some wonderfully evocative vignettes, written in prose that ignites the reader's imagination" - GLOBALISTA

"A tale of one lady's courageous, unusual and intrepid journey around the Mediterranean in the pursuit of something so many of us give little thought to in this country" - REAL TRAVEL

"Her writing is often lyrical and unexpectedly poetic, making this book a sure-fire hit on many levels" - THE WEEKENDER (South Africa)

"One cannot resist Drinkwater's courage and joie de vivre, nor the enormous appetite and enthusiasm for her subject" - DAILY MAIL

"I love Carol Drinkwater's Olive Farm series about her life in Provence. I read them on the beach, thinking how wonderful a summer in France would be" - GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

"Her writing captures the true spirit of the people and places she visits" - TIMES

"An honest tale that brings to life the sights, smells and tastes of the Mediterranean." - LIVING SPAIN

"`the story contains some wonderfully evocative vignettes, written in prose that ignites the reader¿s imagination'" - GLOBALISTA

"Drinkwater's passion and curiosity are contagious...lively prose holds unexpectedly poetic bursts and an insightful account of how the Mediterranean treats a woman travelling alone" - TIMES

"'The Olive Tree is a thrilling tale tracing the journey of olive cultivation'" - THE LADY

"a tale of one lady's courageous, unusual and intrepid journey around the Mediterranean in the pursuit of something so many of us give little thought to in this country" - REAL TRAVEL

"The Olive Tree is travel writing of the highest order" - The Book Show, Radio 702 (South Africa)

"Gripping and passionate" - GOOD BOOK GUIDE

"Her writing is often lyrical and unexpectedly poetic, making this book a surefire hit on many levels." - THE WEEKENDER (South Africa)