...of the roughly zillion places I'd like to travel and visit.
This is awkward, since I never really wanted to visit France. Sure, everybody tells you to go to Paris, but sadly, when you're dealing with time and money constraints, you have to pick and choose vacation spots very carefully. Mr. CR has never been to Great Britain and I always wanted to drag him there first.
But then along comes a great book like Mark Greenside's I'll Never Be French (No Matter What I Do): Living in a Small Village in Brittany.* This is one of the first travel books I've read that actually made me want to GO to the place the author is describing, rather than just glad that I could read the book and not have to go. It doesn't hurt that the France being described by Greenside is actually Brittany--the northwestern part of France that juts up nearly to meet Great Britain and which is more Celtic in character than French.
Greenside tells the story of how, in his late forties, he followed a girl to Brittany. The love affair with the girl soon ended; his love affair with Brittany was just beginning. Part of the joy of the book is that he doesn't fit in and he knows it--he knows no French and he accepts that he's largely helpless. (His first morning in France he can't figure out his house door, hops out the window, makes it to the local bakery, and gets bread and coffee, largely through hand signals and the goodwill of the shop owner.) Thanks to some very helpful neighbors who are just happy that he's American and not English, he eventually starts to learn how things work in France and, by the end of the summer, buys his own house there.
I'll admit it. I liked this book largely because I liked this guy. I am charmed by middle-aged men who have no money, but have no problems taking advice from French women about which houses to look at, and who also are secure enough in their manhood to borrow the money from their moms. I also liked that he admitted he was helpless, and he was never going to actually be French (or Breton), but that he could appreciate them all the same. I also liked his take on the differences between French and American children:
"French parents treat their kids like adults, knowing they're children and they'll lapse. American parents treat their kids like babies and get short with them when they don't act grown up. One of the saddest sights I've seen is American parents bringing their two-year-olds to the movies and getting upset when the babies begin to cry." (p. 67.)
There's plenty of food and landscape description, as well. Tell me if this doesn't make you hungry: "We buy a hunk of white bread cut from a loaf the size of a truck tire, local cheese, a tomme and chevre, dry sausage with pistachios, pate de campagne, strawberies from Plougastel, two pears, two green apples, a bottle of local cider, and a huge chocolate truffle for dessert--and drive to Pointe de Corsen on the Atlantic for a picnic." (p. 204.)
It's an awesome book. I won't tell you you have to go to France, but you do have to read this book.
*Follow the link to Powells.com, where there's also a cute video of Greenside talking about the book.
This is getting added to my TBR list immediately. Great review.
Posted by: sherry (nite swimming) | 28 January 2009 at 01:16 PM
It's a fun book, Sherry. I hope you like it!
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 29 January 2009 at 09:14 AM
I swore I would get to Paris before I turned 50 - well, that's not going to happen (not too many months left). But I have been watching French movies and reading French magazines (even beyond the photos). Oh, and French decorating books too! There is something to be said for acquainting yourself with another culture, especially one that is so much more realistic about age (children, women . . .). When I grow up, I want to be French!!
Also, 2.0 note here - I love that there are author videos, interviews etc. all over to enhance the reading experience.
BTW, is the author single?
Posted by: Sarah | 29 January 2009 at 10:44 AM
WAIT a minute - he's in his late 40s and he follows a "girl" to Brittany. EEWWWW.
Posted by: Sarah | 29 January 2009 at 10:49 AM
Sarah,
Well, if you've got a few months, just get it in gear and head to Paris NOW! (I'm trying "pushy" out for the new year.)
In all fairness, I think the "girl" he followed was most likely in her 30s or 40s too--and yes, he was in his late forties when he first went to Brittany. I think he's probably into his later fifties now. I can't help it. I like people who don't act their age.
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 29 January 2009 at 04:25 PM
LOL! oh, Sarah - just buy that ticket and GO!
Posted by: Care | 29 January 2009 at 04:51 PM
I just read a travel book about Greece, and now I'm all stuck on travel books. It's also freezing in Madison, WI, so I want to travel to go to somewhere warm. This one sounds really great, thanks!
Posted by: Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness) | 29 January 2009 at 10:48 PM
Care, I like your spirit. Sarah, just buy that ticket! And when you're in France, buy a house like Greenside did so I can come visit you there.
Kim,
I just visited your blog and will definitely be looking into "It's all Greek to Me!" Reading about someplace warm definitely sounds wonderful. I think my favorite title about Greece is Thomas Cahill's "Sailing the Wine Dark Sea." Mmmmm. Something about "wine dark sea" just sounds so wonderful. Thanks for the tip!
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 30 January 2009 at 11:30 AM
My husband and I are planning a trip to Paris later this year, so I'm definitely going to read this book. Thanks for the great review!
Posted by: Alyce | 31 January 2009 at 11:51 AM
I love that cover....
Posted by: caite | 06 February 2009 at 12:00 PM
Alyce,
Ooh, Paris. I'm jealous. Will you be taking any side trips to the French countryside, as well? Either way, good luck and have fun.
Caite,
I like the cover too. That's what I call color saturation!
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 06 February 2009 at 02:34 PM