Cover Image: Beginning French

Beginning French

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Member Reviews

Beginning French is a beautiful and funny written memoir. Very engaging and entertaining. This book made me want a house and holiday in France. If you love all things French like me, please read this book.

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This book took me back 30 years to 'A Year in Provence' - Marty Neumeier is the new Peter Mayall. More please! A recount of Marty and Eileen's first foray into French living - they immersed themselves into rural France with a 'can do' attitude, and each problem that reared its head as they renovated their French home was approached with humour and love. The friends that they met along the way will be life long friends - and I look forward to reading more about them! I received this book from NetGalley - thank you!

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Eileen and Marty worked their lives from the ground up. Following the dream to eventually live abroad they take the leap and purchase a small renovated farmhouse in a small town in France. Thus book gives vignettes into their transitions and attamots at living in rural France. The steps they take to assimilate, the cultural and lkinguistic mistakes that are made. The joy and struggles they experience.

I enjoyed every bit of their story.

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Thoroughly enjoyed this memoir. The story evoked images of long sunny French holidays, delicious red wine and tasty French cuisine - lots of it!. Looking forward to reading the follow up!

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A great read,about a couple buying a place in France,and all the things that they have get done,in a place where they don't speak french,a very good book, would love to do the same,well written.

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This is the story of 2 Americans (and their adult daughter)buying a holiday home in France (Dordogne).And of course the expected ups and downs.The leaking pool,a wonderful nightmarket, plumbing problems, wine tasting opportunities, a different language....bref,la France!
It is a fun read,scattered with recipes (not great ones, just French ones).
The thing is,it has been done before,and quite well (for example:A year in Provence by Peter Mayle),so yes,a sunny read but not an brilliant sunny read.

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If you have ever dreamed about owning a vacation home in France, this book may make you to reconsider or convince you to buy. Both good and bad points are covered in this well written book. At times you may wonder if it was worth it and other times you will want to jump on a plane to experience the loveliness (and the food) of the south of France. I enjoyed this book and thought it accurately portrayed what it must be like to have a second home on another continent.

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This book was a delightful read, a real gem of a book that had me whisked away to France and I too was living the dream!!! Though it wasn't always just a dream there were nightmares too!....not my usual cup of tea but glad I read it as it was an interesting read very entertaining and informative and I loved the recipes included at the end! Fab read!

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This is going on my keeper shelf! I love this book! So brave of the Neumeier's to follow their dream. I wish I had when I was younger, but I'm not wasting time! You only live once; make the most of it! Great story!

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