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Selling French Dreams: Tales of Property, France and Family
 
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Selling French Dreams: Tales of Property, France and Family (Paperback)

by Alan Biggins (Author), Tony Beesley (Illustrator), Erica Stokes (Illustrator)
3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
RRP: £7.99
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Customers buy this book with A Normandy Tapestry: A Portrait of Rural France by Alan Arthur Biggins

Selling French Dreams: Tales of Property, France and Family + A Normandy Tapestry: A Portrait of Rural France
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Product details

  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Kirkdale Books (3 Feb 2003)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0952314959
  • ISBN-13: 978-0952314950
  • Product Dimensions: 21.2 x 13.8 x 2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 564,047 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Book Description

Selling French Dreams-tales of property, family and France


From the Publisher

This is the sequel to A Normandy Tapestry, and deals with the author's time working as an estate agent in Normandy and Brittany. This book is probably the most important non-technical book on French property ever written, and certainly one of the most entertaining. There are many entertaining anecdotes, as well as lots of interesting inside information about French property; from where to find a bargain, to what are the pitfalls which can - and too often do - spoil 'The French Dream'.
Extracts from the author's work have appeared in France magazine, Living France, Bonjour, French Property News, the Weekend Telegraph(cover story); while he has received many favourable reviews for the quality of his writing. He has been extensively interviewed on the BBC.
This is an ideal read; either on holiday, or for snuggling up with.

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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews
5 star:
 (6)
4 star:
 (6)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:
 (2)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.9 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars Less than one might have hoped for, 29 Jul 2002
By Dr David B Lefever (Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
There is no doubt that Alan Biggins is an amusing and engaging writer. There is also no doubt that the first half of this book gives an interesting and informative insight to many aspects of purchasing property in France.

However, whilst the author alludes to an extensive knowledge of the subject area, has conducted surveys with ex-pats in France and has even run courses on buying French property, the book fails to pass on much of the knowledge and information that the author no doubt has.

The second half of the book (particularly the last few chapters), is more of a history of Paris during the First and Second World Wars. It seems rather self-indulgent and lacked any useful information on the core subject matter.

Overall, if your one of the many Brits thinking of buying a second property in France, or perhaps in moving out there for good, this is not the book for you!

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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars Not the best, 11 Jun 2003
By A Customer
Having lived in Europe and USA for many years and planning to relocate again to France in the near future, I read with interest books such as this. However, this one proved somewhat disappointing. While the first half was quite informative I found the writer quite self indulgent in his approach and also slightly boastful. The second part was mostly a history of Paris and northern France, which in itself important,did not give the reader the information about buying and selling in any depth. While warnings about the perils of buying in France were mentioned many times I really did not find any real emphasis to assist the newly arrived Brit in avoiding the traps or reefs as they were called. French food did not really feature and I feel many would have loved to read descriptions of the long lunches taken with friends and neighbours in the beautiful Normandy countryside.

I shall read the Normandy Tapestry when it arrives in the library to get an even perspective. I was also sad to learn the family returned to England.

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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Making French Dreams Come True, 16 Aug 2002
By Jennifer Bush (Stansted, England) - See all my reviews
The dream of living in France is about to become a reality for my husband and myself. We love the country and its people and the pace of life in rural France. We are lucky in that we are retiring in 2 years, so there is no need to worry about earning a living. I read both 'A Normandy Tapestry' and 'Selling French Dreams' avidly. Both books are highly entertaining and informative about the pros and cons of moving to France. When visiting a French estate agent last week, I was able to happily discuss fosse septiques, French words I would never have known if not for Alan Biggens' books! I also enjoyed very much the inclusion of items of ancient and modern history, all very relevant to understanding the French and their country. I especially love a book which makes me laugh out loud, as both these books have done. If you are considering a new life in France, these books are a 'must read'.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars a MUST READ for anyone contemplating a move to France
I bought this book on the ferry over to France and it jolted me back to reality. My experience trying to work in France mirrors that of the author. Read more
Published on 12 Feb 2006 by Neil

5.0 out of 5 stars a MUST READ for anyone contemplating a move to France
I bought this book on the ferry over to France and it jolted me back to reality. My experience trying to work in France mirrors that of the author. Read more
Published on 12 Feb 2006 by Neil

4.0 out of 5 stars Normandy Tapestry ... six months on
I am not sure if I unwittingly became the spark that created the title for this book or not, but after reading Normandy Tapestry I said to Alan Biggins, who I briefly worked... Read more
Published on 19 Jul 2003 by Les Smith

5.0 out of 5 stars Selling French Dreams
Great book, loved it, could not put it down. We now live in France and bought this book on the ferry on one of our last visits before the permanent move. Read more
Published on 1 Jul 2003

4.0 out of 5 stars Selling French Dreams
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was beautifully told and gave me a good insight as to the pitfalls of starting a new life abroad; and some of the delights. Read more
Published on 4 Jun 2003 by Mike Hobday

5.0 out of 5 stars If you love France, you'll love this
I and my husband devoured this book (which is unusual for him, he's normally a slow reader).
With its inside accounts of French rural life, its wit, and the author's knowledge... Read more
Published on 8 May 2003 by ann waters

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointting stuff
Sentimental and disappointing memoirs of the life of a British real estate agent in France. For those who don't yet know France themselves and want a little guidance about the... Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2003 by M. Jones

4.0 out of 5 stars More than a jolly good read
A very well written and entertaining book based on the authors experiences of moving to France and selling French property to Brits! Read more
Published on 19 Aug 2002 by roger spittles

4.0 out of 5 stars Selling French Dream
A very enjoyable and lighthearted read, containing a wealth of information about the potential pitfalls waiting to trap would be French property buyers. Read more
Published on 14 Aug 2002 by Roger Spittles

4.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly engaging and an enjoyable read.
I found this book to be truly engaging and well written. It is written in a very open style - one actually feels as though one is there, in France, living the dream. Read more
Published on 11 Aug 2002 by Belinda Black

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