book review | A French Collection

Married Across the Color Line – A Postwar True Story

Married Across the Color Line - A Postwar True Story

I love it when readers reach out to me about their passion of France and how they are connected to, live in or have experienced l'Hexagone (the popular nickname for mainland France because of the shape of its six sided mainland borders).

Just recently a member of our community, and author, Daniel Freeman, reached out to me about his family history and his book that shares that history. His story and the context of writing the book is extraordinary. At the age of fifty-two and on the passing of his father, Daniel found hundreds of pages of letters between his father, his French mother, US and French governments and lawyers, and family members that crossed continents and borders. Then at the age of sixty-five Daniel learnt he was a dual French and US Citizen, and then at age seventy-two he received his French passport. Daniel was seventy-six, when he published his historical family journey. Incredibly this project took thirteen years with Daniel's French sisters providing the translations for the letters and official documents written in French. Wow, what an amazing back story to Married Across the Color Line!

The Lost Children by Susan McDonald – Author Interview

The Lost Children by Susan McDonald - Book Review

It's with such delight today we share our book review and author interview of the recently released novel The Lost Children, by none other than one of our loveliest long-standing blog readers and guest contributors, Susan McDonald. Susan loves France, and in particular the France Riviera, and has spent much time in Villefranche-sur-Mer. In fact she's previously written an article for us on this gorgeous town, often called the Jewel of the French Riviera - Villefranche-Sur-Mer on the French Riviera. Susan has also written an article on the best Walks in the French Riviera which highlights top spots to go, places to stay and how to explore hidden wonders whilst walking the French Riviera.

So bringing her knowledge of the region, love of history and English teaching and writing skills together, Susan has written a wonderful book that enticed me from the very beginning. With characters that feel real, places and events that you can easily imagine and a dramatic storyline that is evocative, I think you'll also love The Lost Children.

The Anglo-French Exchange: Book Review

Learning French, and looking for a different style of book to fast track your language skills? The Anglo-French Exchange by Dr Allswell E. Eno is a fabulous book that's certainly unique and I love it.

The Anglo-French Exchange

Dr Allswell Eno brings his passion about the power of words and their role in shaping society into every page of this learning resource. The doctor's fascination with language and its nuances led him to write this impressive textbook, which explores the enduring relationship between French and English. His love of the French language began at school and has continued into his professional life. He trained in medicine at St Thomas' Hospital Medical School, now part of King's College, London. After practising hospital medicine to registrar level in a range of specialists, Dr Allswell Eno switched to general practice training.

My French Platter Replenished: Book Review

A Journey to a Dream Life in France

Today I have a treat for you with a book extract from author Annemarie Rawson from her new book 'My French Platter Replenished'. This delightful memoir from Annemarie Rawson is the second book in her 'My French Platter' series. Annemarie's first book 'My French Platter' tells the story of how she, and her husband Steve, leave their life in New Zealand to manage a 15th century farmhouse in France. Little do they know that they will end up living in filth, rely on dilapidated equipment and deal with a belligerent boss. During this period they lived near Brens.

Annemarie's second book (cover pictured above) 'My French Platter Replenished' takes the reader on a further journey of their life in France whilst working in Lisle-sur-Tarn at Domaine de Mènerque and later at Combe de Merigot, near Gaillac. We get to meet more friends, experience their woes and joys and also to try out the recipes that Annemarie shares. I love the recipes that are a bonus find at the end of both books. I'm sure you'll love trying them out for yourself.

My Four Seasons in France – Book Review

'My Four Seasons in France - A Year of the Good Life' is the second book by Janine Marsh, editor of The Good Life France who writes about buying a dilapidated old house in northern France on a whim, almost by accident, and has ever since been making her tiny village in 'middle-of-nowhere-France' her home.

My Four Seasons in France

A Year of the Good Life starts with Janine and husband Mark in France on a wine buying trip with her father, when suddenly looking at homes for sale seemed a good idea, and then, buying the home her father declared as 'not fit to live in' even seemed like a good idea, so they did!

The French Photographer: Book Review

The French Photographer by Natasha Lester - Book Review

The French Photographer is the latest novel by Natasha Lester, the bestselling author of The Paris Seamstress and A Kiss From Mr Fitzgerald.

The French Photographer is based upon the life of Lee Miller, a Vogue model, who defied all the rules and became one of the first female photojournalists of World War II. Lee Miller's true story is an amazing one and we thank Lorna Laycock, our guest contributor for her review of the recently released book The French Photographer.

Background

Author Natasha Lester invites the reader to journey beside Jessica May, whose character is based on Lee Miller, to view events and characters as though through the photographer’s lens.

To Capture What We Cannot Keep: Book Review

To Capture What We Cannot Keep

Beatrice Colin’s book To Capture What We Cannot Keep is described as Captivating and bold, a haunting love story of 1880's Paris and I found it a delightful and easy read interweaving Haussmann's new Paris, the Eiffel tower, 1889 World Fair and the Panama Canal.

It’s February 1887 and young Scottish widow, Caitriona Wallace (Cait), is acting as chaperone to two wealthy Scottish charges, Alice and James, when by perchance she meets Émile Nouguier in a hot air balloon in Paris. Émile is the chief engineer working on the Eiffel Tower and part of the bourgeois social class so any future that Cait and Émile aspire to, is constrained within the social strata of their time.

Are We French Yet? Book Review

Are We French Yet? is the latest book by popular author and part time Frenchman Keith Van Sickle who explores in his unique and humorous way, what his friends call “living the dream”. Is living part time between sun drenched California and the wine regions of southern France really living the dream? Well, as Keith and Val have found out, yes it really is!

Keith, a technology industry veteran and lifelong traveler has just released his second book on living in France, and particularly in Provence, as an American expat. Are We French Yet? follows his highly successful book One Sip At A Time on learning to live in Provence through the eyes of a foreigner trying to adjust to ‘the French way’, often with amusing results.

Are We French Yet – Keith & Val’s Adventures in Provence

Are We French Yet – Keith & Val’s Adventures in Provence is an easy and entertaining book taking the reader on a journey from when Keith and Val first toyed with the idea of living in France, quit their secure jobs, started learning French and rented a home near St-Rémy-de-Provence for three months. Fast forwarding years later and many return trips to France, they have explored living in the towns of Avignon and Aix-en-Provence but now return to St-Rémy-de-Provence (where it all began), each spring.

Place Favier in St-Rémy-de-Provence, France

Keith truly transports the reader into everyday experiences in his lighthearted and breezy recounts of French strikes, muzzle salad (when a salad from a butcher is not really a salad), the importance of knowing your classic French literature and the strict etiquette on entering a doctor’s surgery.

Meeting new people and making friends is undoubtably one of the many pleasures of traveling to new countries and Keith and Val have a long list of these. Take Marie-France who creates tasty appetisers and endless food, Jacques the wine buff, Sophie the vibrant language partner and Xavier. From our own experience making strong friendships creates a strong tie to France, but also makes the parting more difficult each trip. This is the same for Keith and Val as they express…

“What’s the best thing about living in France? The people we’ve met. It’s been by far the best part of our French experience. While we miss the food and the countryside and the joie de vivre when we’re away from Provence, what we miss most are the friends we’ve made. We wish we could stuff them in our suitcases and bring them back to California with us.”

Resonating with me particularly is the way in which France has shaped the way Keith and Val look upon life. For example, being okay with living with less “stuff” is something that they say has liberated them and is a direct result of happily living out of suitcases during their French sojourns.

Becoming French in Provence

I love that this book is bursting with the adventures of Keith, and also his partner in all things, and wife, Val. Moving to a new country, adjusting to a fluid lifestyle of living between America and France and learning French are just some of the challenges this couple have conquered together. Competantly learning a foreign language at any age can be daunting but to do so in your 40s and 50s is especially an achievement. Well done Keith and Val – may you inspire many more readers to achieve their dream of speaking French also!

Keith and Val at Vauvenargue

Making her first appearance in this book is Mica their canine companion who bursts onto the scene enjoying cafés, hiking picturesque trails and picnics. Mica now accompanies Keith and Val on their stays in Provence and adjusts quickly into French dog life after her long flights. What a lucky dog!

I am sure you will love Keith’s new book Are We French Yet? – Keith and Val’s Adventures in Provence.

And of course if you haven’t yet read One Sip At A Time – Learning to Live in Provence then I recommend this entertaining book also.

To buy Keith’s books and read more of his articles on Life in Provence check out his website and newsletters.

Annette Charlton

Annette lives with her family between their homes in France and Australia. She’s been featured in International magazines including French Property News, on numerous blogs and travel websites and appeared on ABC National Radio. You can connect on Instagram or Facebook.