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Product Description
Book Description
The compelling prequel to BEST FOOT FORWARD
Product Description
Susie Kelly and her husband Terry had long dreamed of owning a home in France, but ironically it wasn't until they were facing homeless penury in England that they realized their dream. With five dogs, two parrots and their elderly horses, they moved to an old farmhouse in the Poitou-Charentes region with dirt floors, no water and a primitive electricity supply.
While Terry was back in England trying to support them all, Susie Kelly contended with a homicidal gas cooker at the bottom of the garden, burst pipes, a guinea fowl that turned somersaults and bit people on the shin and a constant stream of people turning up at her door with needs of their own. Sometimes the enormity of renovating a house with insufficient funds and little help seemed overwhelming. She saw her husband infrequently. Their English neighbour was imprisoned on drug-smuggling charges. And when Terry developed a condition that brought him close to death, the dream threatened to turn into a nightmare.
There were times when Susie and Terry seemed to be taking two steps backward, but the kindness of the local community and the tranquillity of the landscape inspired them to make a new life for themselves and their animals in the place they now called home.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I adored this book. As a Francophile and animal lover of indeterminate age, I found much to identify with in this witty and compulsive account of the adventures of Susie after her move to France. My husband and I have often dreamed of moving the the French countryside and "downshifting" out lives in the same way as Susie and Terry - I cant say that Susies book encouraged me further - there were certainly pitfalls I hadnt even imagined - but it made absolutely fascinating reading nonetheless!
I am very surprised by the review which calls it depressing - I found myself captivated by Susies humour, and snorting in a most unbecoming manner on the 8.15 into London every morning.
Please, please buy this book! The price of books nowadays hardly make it a gamble, and I truly believe you, like me, will find one of those precious authors who leave you obsessively searching the internet for more books, and fretting until they produce another one!
I am very surprised by the review which calls it depressing - I found myself captivated by Susies humour, and snorting in a most unbecoming manner on the 8.15 into London every morning.
Please, please buy this book! The price of books nowadays hardly make it a gamble, and I truly believe you, like me, will find one of those precious authors who leave you obsessively searching the internet for more books, and fretting until they produce another one!
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As someone who one day hopes to settle in France I have read several books of this genre over the past few years. I must admit that Susie's neighbours began to annoy me but I think she dealt with them very well. Lets not forget that she was a newcomer to a French hamlet and in those sorts of situations it is best to remain on speaking terms with everyone!
Susie's writing style is soft and gentle, her descriptions are good and like a previous reviewer, when I came to the end I felt as though I was saying goodbye to a dear friend. Overall it made my regular commute to London a lot more enjoyable.
Susie's writing style is soft and gentle, her descriptions are good and like a previous reviewer, when I came to the end I felt as though I was saying goodbye to a dear friend. Overall it made my regular commute to London a lot more enjoyable.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have recently returned to the UK after 4 years living "my great adventure" in France and having enjoyed my time there so much I cannot get enough of reading other people's views of life in France. I thoroughly enjoyed Susie Kelly's book and was pleased that she found most of the people to be as kind and helpful (most of the time) as my husband and I did. It was a well written book and I couldn't put it down till I had finished it.
To anyone thinking of relocating to France I would recommend that they read this book first!
To anyone thinking of relocating to France I would recommend that they read this book first!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Two Steps Backward
Just wish that Susie would write more books than the three which we have read and thoroughly enjoyed. She writes beautifully and captures the moment with great sensitivity. Read more
Published 15 months ago by B. F. Orme
Not one of the best
Must admit, this book was a bit of a chore to get through. If you are an avid animal lover then maybe its the one for you as the author tended to go on and on about animals. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Franco
I Love Susie Kellys style of writing
I adored this book and was devasted to finish it. I think Susie Kelly is a brilliant writer. I adore all things french and always have done and know susie's area well so I love... Read more
Published on 3 Sep 2008 by H. O'BRIEN
Two Steps Backwards
I loved this book, and felt i'd lost a friend when i finished it.....I am something of an addict of the travel lit genre, and I honestly would put this up there with the... Read more
Published on 14 July 2004 by Joanna Wynne Simm
Liked the first one better
I loved the author's first book and really looked forward to the second but unfortunately was terribly disappointed. Read more
Published on 21 Jun 2004
Two Steps Backward
Although I am very biased, as the author is my mother, I have to say that this book was impossible to put down. Read more
Published on 7 Jun 2004 by Julie Holmes
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