Eileen and Marty are Americans who dreamed of living in France. They bought a 400 year old farmhouse with a charming layout, purchasing it online. I am not that brave.
They begin renovating the old house to their taste, making it the home they always wished for. Oh, it’s full of issues here and there such as a bursting water heater that destroys all their furniture and carpets, electricity issues where it just goes out completely if more than two applicances are plugged in and of course a small language problem.
I’ll hand it to them, they did learn enough French to get by in restaurants and shopping, talking to neighbors and such. I always felt if we became ex-pats we would absolutely need to learn the language of the county.
There is French conversation sprinkled throughout the book and an interactive glossary embedded in the book. If your Kindle isn’t on airplane mode you can click on the French word and see the translations.
The book has many recipes, courtesy of Sara their chef daughter.
Goat Cheese souffle
Mussels with Almonds
Roasted Figs with Goat Cheese, wrapped in Pancetta
Tomato Peach Salad
Duck Burgers and Onion Jam
Besides the hiccups of rennovations and adjusting to a different culture, it seemed enough time was spent explaining how Marty “unwittingly” flirted with the carpet installer, Jaqueline, and how Eileen left him for a few weeks. This was clearly a major event in their lives/marriage. By the way, Jaqueline is described as looking like Marion Cotillard’s younger sexier sister. I had wondered if Marty and Eileen still lived between California and France.
There is yummy food inspiration mentioned in the book, especially the roasted figs. Instead I went with a French chef and recipe from Jacques Pépin. Here is Fettucine with summer vegetables. (previously posted this recipe on my defunct food blog).
Sounds like a fun book, perfect for this low key event. Can't wait for your French food post!
ReplyDeleteEmma, thank you and I am getting ready to make my Palmiers for this week's post today or tomorrow!
DeleteGlad you re-posted the fettuccine with vegetables recipe for us. I think I will make that sometime soon. I love eating a bunch of vegetables with pasta .... while watching the Tour de France, ha! That book sounds like a few others who've gone to France to live (and fix up houses): Peter Mayle, and Frances Mayes, and Karen Wheeler .... I like those ex-pat kind of books where a person has to forge a path in a new culture ... which is not easy!
ReplyDeleteSusan, I like expat lit and it sure had an appeal many times in my life. Oh pasta and anything for me, I love pasta. The fresh veg really make this one.
DeleteI love reading about people living the ex pat life, usually in fiction though. There are a lot of those books out there
ReplyDeleteMarg, you are correct, so many books about starting over but usually for the nonfiction ones they have more money than I do for renovations!
DeleteWhen I was younger, I used to read so many books about people who move and start over that I created a label for these books. I have not read this one, too, though I would like to. I shall add it to my list for the next Paris in July!
ReplyDeleteDeb, I have enjoyed several of this genre. Both the nonfiction and those in novels. Hope you like this one.
DeleteRenovation is challenge enough - I can't imagine how difficult it would be when I don't really understand the community or the language! I'll have to try this one.
ReplyDeleteVisiting Paris was at the top of my list when I was growing up.
ReplyDelete