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I'll Never Be French [no matter what I do]
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Product Description
Review
"A light, lighthearted, occasionally very funny romp through a region of France not well represented in the travel literature. With his fresh eye and self-deprecating wit, Greenside sketches a wry, cautionary tale for all those of us who are tempted by adventures in foreign real estate." -- Michael Sanders, author of "From Here, You Can't See Paris: Seasons of a French Village and Its Restaurant"
Product Description
Tired of Provence in books, cuisine, and tablecloths? Exhausted from your armchair travels to Paris? Despairing of ever finding a place that speaks to you beyond reason? You are ripe for a journey to Brittany, where author Mark Greenside reluctantly travels, eats of the crêpes, and finds a second life.
When Mark Greenside -- a native New Yorker living in California, doubting (not-as-trusting-as Thomas, downwardly mobile, political lefty, writer, and lifelong skeptic -- is dragged by his girlfriend to a tiny Celtic village in Brittany at the westernmost edge of France, in Finistère, "the end of the world," his life begins to change.
In a playful, headlong style, and with enormous affection for the Bretons, Greenside tells how he makes a life for himself in a country where he doesn't speak the language or know how things are done. Against his personal inclinations and better judgments, he places his trust in the villagers he encounters -- neighbors, workers, acquaintances -- and is consistently won over and surprised as he manages and survives day-to-day trials: from opening a bank account and buying a house to removing a beehive from the chimney -- in other words, learning the cultural ropes, living with neighbors, and making new friends.
I'll Never Be French (no matter what I do) is a beginning and a homecoming for Greenside, as his father's family emigrated from France. It is a memoir about fitting in, not standing out; being part of something larger, not being separate from it; following, not leading. It explores the joys and adventures of living a double life.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Having lived in a small village in France myself for several years I was really looking forward to reading this book
and I was not at all disappointed. I could relate to a lot of things the Author talked about and was very pleased that he found the French villagers to be as lovely as those my husband and I met during our time in a village in Normandy.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves France and the people as I do.
and I was not at all disappointed. I could relate to a lot of things the Author talked about and was very pleased that he found the French villagers to be as lovely as those my husband and I met during our time in a village in Normandy.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves France and the people as I do.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Funny witty and entertaining from start to finish, an easy read that you can just keep picking up and putting down, not that you will want to. A great little holiday read. Just enough detail and a flowing form of writing.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
As another reviewer mentions, there are a few below-the-belt comments about the Brits, but he is merely reflecting the perception of the locals he met. The story of what happened to the author is less important to me than the way the author uses the tale to illustrate the problems, opinions and humour that he has observed. There were many occasions - including the Brits comments - when I thought, "Yeah. Been there. Seen that!" but also when the author reminded me why we love the French way.
I really enjoyed this book. Light, amusing and kept going. But then, what do I know?
I really enjoyed this book. Light, amusing and kept going. But then, what do I know?
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
i'll never be french
nice book really enjoyed it and having just moved to france a great insight into the french ways and yes readers it really is like this ....still. Read more
Published 9 months ago by painter rob
I'll Never Be French No Matter What I Do
One of the most boring books I have ever read, in fact I didn't bother to finish reading it. I can well understand why MG will never be French.
Published 11 months ago by Mrs. S. Hunt
Could not put this down
A fantastic read, did it in two sittings. Combines life experiences with very clear descriptions of life being lived in rural france. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Bijou22
I'll never be French......
It was well written, but if you're a sensitive soul, like me, then you might start bristling at the anti English remarks scattered throughout the book.
Published 21 months ago by Marjie C
tres bien!!
although I have yet to start this book-!the story is right up my street-thanks amazon for excellent service !!
Published on 30 Oct 2009 by blodwyn
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