Sarah Turnbull (1)

This explained so much of my experience in France. Just what I needed, just the right time! Now I will go and imagine that I'm a chair... :)

Edit: I just read what some other people thought of the book and I was surprised that so many people disliked it. I get if you don't like the writing style, but the other major criticism seemed to be that we don't see the love story between Sarah & Frédéric. I guess it was advertised that way. For me, it wasn't about their love story but the relationship between Sarah and France. And yes, I've had so many similar experiences! And I love the way, even though frustrating at times, she does adjust to France and makes it her home. Also, I felt that the whole living between two countries came across really well. And the way she's not French, but she's not really Australian anymore either.… (mehr)

I really enjoyed this -- it lived up to its description. The one episode I remember in particular was when she was heading out for a quick trip to the bakery to pick up a baguette wearing sweats, and her husband commented on it. When she told him it was just to run out to the bakery he said, "But it's not very nice for the baker." Cute story, but what an interesting perspective. We tend to think of looking nice as typically being an expression of vanity, but for Parisians it's in consideration for all the people who have to share a space with you. And when you think about how deflating it is, in a way, to be out amongst a bunch of people dressed like slobs (think Walmart), you wonder why more cultures don't take this attitude.… (mehr)