Delightful, Insightful Reminiscences of France!
932256
I am a retired French teacher and have lived, studied and traveled in France, but I can't seem to get enough, or too much of French life and culture! Shelley's vivid reminiscences were very satisfying at a deep level as well as instructive and informative. She painted a delightful picture that filled the senses and dispelled some of the negative impressions we've often heard about the French. It will help tide me over until my next trip to La Belle France and give me some ideas of new places to visit! Merci, Shelley!
1827562
How great to have this insight to pre-rev France! I have studied the period and place before, and it had always seemed so...foreign and distant. But through these translated police records and other accounts in this book, life and people come alive in a way that they are suddenly, wonderfully familiar. And I am hoping that this book is only the first in a series.
3242489
I am amazed by Ruth's intimate recollection of her summer job in France and her ability to share the story with her readers in such a charming manner.  I finished the book in one sitting, eager to read more of her journeys.  As a world traveler myself, I immediately was engaged in her adventure as she traipsed through places I have traipsed myself.  I have known a determined, ingenious, strong-willed, creative, entrepreneurial, savvy Ruth for several years and learned so many new things about her in this read.  It doesn't surprise me that she took off alone for parts unknown at a young age and made lemonade from lemons!  A fun book to read!
865736
This book is such a fun read! It's an intimate, warm look into the lives of the two women, both of whom were serious powerhouses in their respective fields.

Julia Child and Avis DeVoto are incredibly interesting to read about--in their letters, they discuss everything from how much Avis loves her garbage disposal (which she calls, rather charmingly, her 'pig') to the state of international affairs during the paranoia of the McCarthy era.

But the book doesn't drag; the editor has done a superb job turning their letters into a quick, snapping story, moving around often enough that you feel rather more like you're overhearing a conversation between two favorite aunts than reading letters written a rather long time ago.

Interestingly, the book also serves as a sort of in-depth look at the opinions common Americans held about the McCarthy trials, and many issues surrounding them. Avis and Julia write at some length about this, giving wonderful additional depth and background to their letters.

I would strongly suggest the book to anyone curious about French food, cooking, traveling while cooking, being an American and living overseas, or the 1950s. It's a great pick-me-up if you're bored, and if you are over-excited, it has nice calm spots to slow you right down again. A very good read.
1899929
This book starts as an enjoyable travel memoir of extended holidays in France, albeit often under the cloud of her husbands erratic behaviour, but turns into a very readable life story the week her life changed forever. When her son is diagnosed with schizophrenia, her husband wants no involvement and something (call it maternal instinct) kicks in and gives her the courage to walk away from the emotional abuse she has lived with for twenty years and start her life again.

This is not an easy period in her life, but with time she learned to live alongside her son, giving him the space to cope with the voices in his head and ensuring no matter what her mothering instincts were, she didn't fuss over him. Sharing their difficult journey was very brave and very insightful. From her previous holidays, France had weaved its magic and despite the change in her circumstances it was never far from her mind. Creatively she used her many photos taken in France to make and sell original framed prints as well as giving animated talks to share her love and photographs of France. She soon found she needed to return and bravely set off on road trips to France alone; hiring a car, battling directions, traffic and driving with the French to visit many lovely villages and chateaux over a number of years.

Glenda writes an honest and emotional book, whether she is sharing a delicious French meal, a troubled episode with her son or a panic on foreign soil when things don't go to plan. Despite her love of France, I felt there were irreconcilable differences between her way and the French way and there were times, especially on her final trip, when I failed to grasp whether it was her tongue-in-cheek humour or if she really was blaming France for getting lost. Although I cant agree with all of her opinions of France and the French I did enjoy her book.

I was sent a copy of this book by the author for an honest review.
1302095
This wonderful memoir reminds me in a way of Cinderella in Tours, France, being ordered around by Madame Dubois, her boss.
I shall not offer a synopsis as there are several in the reviews, however, having lived in Paris, during my youth, I understand the family dynamics, since I've encountered some "snobby" French women like Madame Dubois.
I love to read for entertainment, and Linda Kovic-Skow's writing is so engaging, visual and honest, that it was pure pleasure to read  her memoir.
I look forward to a follow-up memoir.
4355578
Danielle Postel-Vinay gives her readers a refreshing take on the lifestyle genre. Home Sweet Maison is a sensory journey into what makes a French home, well....French. Setting aside French stereotypes of snobbery and romanticism, Postel-Vinay gives her reader an up close and personal look into the form, function and even history of every room in the French home. Its a fascinating look at culture, both American and French, and the constant struggle between tradition and modern living. Postel-Vinay never forgets she is an American, from a particular time and place, the 1970s Midwest and she neither dismisses nor puts on a pedestal one way of life. Instead, there is a love story in these pages: the love of her Parisian husband and his family and of course France. How do we prioritize what we love? And celebrate that love in how we live? Home Sweet Maison helps us answer these questions and one neednt be a Francophile to appreciate this authors wisdom.
3620604
Pasa's memoir made me wax nostalgic about my own days of falling in and out of love with France. She writes in such vivid detail, showing her adeptness at being a documentarian and a storyteller. It's an honest and intriguing portrayal that many can relate to about growing up and coming to terms with a fantasy that at one time seemed so much better than our own life.
1884219
The stories in this book offer a range of perspectives and voices that chronicle life in a rural French village over a period of some 100 years in a way that allows the reader to take up residence there. As I read, I found myself choosing sides at town council meetings, rooting for characters whom the more prominent villagers disdained, empathizing with characters' struggles and losses, and laughing with those whose zaniness surprised and delighted me. Some of the stories flow seamlessly from one to the next, while at other times, there are several intervening narratives before a character  re-emerges. Reading became a kind of game for me, as I wondered which narrative thread would come back into play, or which character would return to take center stage. I also enjoyed the stories' diversity of tone. At times I laughed out loud; at others I felt deeply moved, and when I finished reading, I felt somehow refreshed, as though I had just returned from "La Bastide," the principal site in Rendall's hybrid book, which is part short story collection, part novel, and graced with satisfying elements of both genres.
4468
This is a delightful book, full of warm reminiscences and wonderful recipes. I recently made Marta's delicious scrambled eggs, and now my husband doesn't want them prepared any other way. I am anxious for summertime, when I will try some of Marta's fresh vegetable salads and her summer pudding.
The photos in this book show the private side of the Kennedys, which evoked bittersweet feelings in me. I remember Camelot and the tragedies that followed; paging through the photos in Marta's book brought back some of the warm, familial feelings the Kennedys engendered. Since the recent death of JFK Jr., the memories chronicled in this book are especially touching.
Marta, you have written a charming tribute to the Kennedy family, whose members you obviously love and respect. Brava!
1654353
Loved this book, he so perfectly captured what it's like for an American to "make it" in Paris.  Hilarious in parts, many parts!  We got to know his circle of friends, each with quirky personalities, always very French.  More than anything, I'd have to say that the book is endearing...his love letter to Paris, the most glorious of glorious cities.  There's just no comparison, is there?  And he knows it.  Kudos for a delightful and sometimes poignant read.  For those of you who have been bitten by the Paris bug--you, above all, will very much understand this book.
4508866
Antony Beevor is simply a marvelous writer, and the ability to use his wife's knowledge and experience really enriches this book. The use of Diana Cooper's father's diaries (and his memoir filled out with the daughter's memories) is a major strength of this account of one of the most fascinating and troubling eras of French history. The book has wonderful variety and richly evocative accounts of many leading figures and events. A joy to read and savor.
1090393
Elliot Schubert's "The Time of Our Lives: Memories and Fantasies of a Blissful Nonagenarian" is a delightful collection of reminiscences and vignettes from a life well-lived. These autobiographical stories, likely with some fanciful embellishments here and there, display the wisdom, good humor, and kindheartedness of a fine storyteller. With a warm sense of nostalgia and a hint of wistfulness, this book transports the reader back to simpler and gentler times. Indeed, each story is preceded by well-chosen epigraphs that hit on the theme of "time" that runs through the stories. Like any of the best memoirs, while reading this book you truly get inside the heart and mind of the author.
1614910
Delightful collection of Paris memories that make you want to pack a bag for a visit to see the hidden sights and meet the fascinating people in Adrienne's experience.
2811484
This is well worth the read. Anyone who has spent some time in France will relate well to the experiences as related. Even those who haven't had the privilege of experiencing life in France will enjoy the stories and these may even persuade some to "give it a go"!
1413068
What a lovely and delightful read! I can't remember the last time I enjoyed an entire weekend of decadence reading such a wonderful book from cover to cover. I was deeply inspired by Carolyn Tate's courageous decisions to make such big and drastic changes in her (and her delightful son's) life - to free herself from the drudgery that was holding her back and go in search of a new, more meaningful future, one anchored in her deep commitment to nourishing her own soul and creativity. I appreciated the author's raw and honest account of her love life, and her authenticity and vulnerability with regard to her self evaluation. Having never been to Europe (yet) I thoroughly enjoyed being taken on a journey of my own, through her vividly descriptive and personal story. When Carolyn arrived in Paris, I truly felt as though I was there sipping cafe creme and munching on chocolat chaud right beside her. Transported through the full range of senses and emotions, I was immediately tempted to book the next flight to France and live out my own soulful sojourn. Oui, Merci! Extended stays in Aix en Provence and Italy are on my life adventure list in the not too distant future. Stay tuned for a postcard or two!
1707441
As a frequent visitor to France, I knew a little about social behavior, rules of etiquette, etc.  But this book has enlightened me in many areas and has done so in a clearly written, often humorous fashion.  The authors are experienced writers and have lived in France long enough to become accepted into the social fabric of their neighborhood.  Then, as observant and eager to learn as they both are, they drew material for this book.  I enjoyed it very much and will probably review its major points (nicely summed up near the end of the book) prior to my next trip to France.  If you are a francophile, or if you are just preparing for your first visit to France, I highly recommend this book.