Living the good life in the Blue Mountains in Australia with her husband, four grown-up children and four (and counting) grandchildren, Mary Moody's life was full. At fifty, she had built a satisfying career as a writer and television presenter which allowed her time to look after her family, house and garden. The only thing missing was time for herself, a chance to reflect on life and its meaning. Like many women of her generation, caught up with the commitments of work and family, Mary had never had a moment alone - so she decided to say au revoir. She ran away to live on her own for six glorious months in the rural paradise of southwest France. "Au Revoir" is the story of Mary's solo journey. It is funny, warm and reflective, as Mary adapts to life as a single person in the Lot, one of the most remote and beautiful parts of France. Revelling in the food, seasons and characters she encountered, Mary gained new insight into herself while enjoying life to the full. Her account of an escape - with its exhilarating freedom, new experiences and chance for renewal - will inspire every reader to run away from home.
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About the Author
Mary Moody is a prolific gardening author and television presenter. Her books include A Gardener's Companion and Mary Moody's Roses. Every year Mary leads treks to the Himalayas and other parts of the world to observe native flora. She divides her time between her homes in Australia and south-west France. Her follow up, Last Tango in Toulouse, will be published under the Pier 9 imprint in September 2007. Both of these have been international bestsellers.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
61 of 62 people found the following review helpful
By Lucy May
Format:Paperback
This book does not live up to its promise. I was expecting to read the experiences of an independent minded, middle-aged woman, bravely leaving family behind in Australia to test living alone on the other side of the world in France. In reality, it is the experience of a woman who spends six months socializing with ex-pats in a never-ending round of over indulgence of food and drink. She is provided with a car [by ex-pat friends in Nice] and put up for the first few weeks [by an ex-pat friend in a French village]. Thereafter, she is introduced to a wider circle of ex-pats whose sole aim, it would appear, is to eat and drink as much as possible. Her conclusion that she is living the life of a French country woman is, I fear, self delusion.
36 of 37 people found the following review helpful
By bsp abroad
Format:Paperback
The impression one has (fair or not) of Australians is that they are freeloaders. I lost count of the number of free meals, free beds for the night, free use of goods etc etc that this author managed during her sojourn in France. She went with high hopes of learning the language and integrating into the french rural life - instead she latched on to the safe option of the ex-pats in the area. I finished the book but was left with a feeling of extreme irritation at the smugness of the author - her children are perfect, her marriage is perfect... the list goes on! Certainly not a book I will be keeping.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Please don't' get the impression that this is life in rural France: this is not! French village inhabitants close their doors around 9 and sit in front of the TV; the only French people that party, wine and eat al fresco are Parisians who spend their holydays in their country house, and they also, congregate amongst their own kind. And no one drops uninvited for dinner: food is taken seriously, prepared with great passion for discerning guests.... and reciprocated. The few remaining authentic farmers have no time for it: when they prepare a large meal it is for their family and on very few occasions.
Binge drinking is not a French thing
The life of this woman is boring, empty and worst of all the description of her daughter giving birth is really uncalled for.
I know a lot of women over 50 and they are usually fascinating, this one is the exception. You can safely give this book a miss
Binge drinking is not a French thing
The life of this woman is boring, empty and worst of all the description of her daughter giving birth is really uncalled for.
I know a lot of women over 50 and they are usually fascinating, this one is the exception. You can safely give this book a miss
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic read
This is a fantastic book, well written and I cant wait to read the next two in this series. Discovered her on a recent trip to Australia recommended by a friend and so glad
Published 29 days ago by Mrs. J. Ford
1.0 out of 5 stars
Who thought this was worth it?
I was given this book to read by my then dance teacher. She hadn't enjoyed it so she said to me, don't bother returning it. Knowing my love of France she thought I might enjoy it. Read more
Published 15 months ago by parisnewbie
1.0 out of 5 stars
A missed opportunity
I have never read such a smug book; one which has made me feel so resentful and angry. Like many others I went to the Lot alone, bought a house and took delight in gradually... Read more
Published on 23 Oct 2008 by Ms. M. E. Jolley
1.0 out of 5 stars
Au Revoir !!
I wish I had read these reviews before buying this book and I wouldn't have bought it
Didn't like the way she kept going back to her life in Australia and her Mother. Read more
Didn't like the way she kept going back to her life in Australia and her Mother. Read more
Published on 4 Oct 2008 by Issie
1.0 out of 5 stars
absolute bilge what a c*w
what a selfcentred selfish woman she is,god knows how her poor family put up with her.what possesed a publisher to pander to her?Don't waste your money on this drival
Published on 22 May 2008 by Mrs. R. E. Spencer
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not the run-of-the-mill ex-pat struggle for survival among the natives
I enjoyed this book although I was somewhat disconcerted at the beginning by the chapters dedicated to the author's mother and their close relationship. Read more
Published on 3 May 2008 by Patricia Sneesby
1.0 out of 5 stars
dont bother.
this book is a conceit, self indulgent,self important and unnecessary. Likewise her other similarly grandiose titled Last Tango in Toulouse, torn between two lovers. please... Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2008 by ANDY
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