Over all I really like this book. Event though it is considered a work of fiction priced together from diaries and notes. This is story from the point of view of Ernest Hemmingway's first wife, Hadley. The story starts new Chicago where they first meet. Ernest was still developing his writing style. The story continues through their move to Paris and details the life, friends, adventures and disappointments in their lives.
I've not yet read 'A Moveable Feast' which is Ernest Hemmingway's account of his life in Paris with Hadley. That is next on my list to books to read this year.
I've not yet read 'A Moveable Feast' which is Ernest Hemmingway's account of his life in Paris with Hadley. That is next on my list to books to read this year.
I received the novel, French Fried, via the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program. My first. I was so excited that the won novel was of a subject I have a high interest in, France.
I've read many other travelogue type books including the complete series from Peter Mayle which sort of started the genre with A Year in Provence. French Fried was very similar. Set in the mid 1990s it tells the story of author, Chris and his wife, and their move from a farm in England to a farm in Southwest France. The story is light and consuming. The author doesn't go into much detail on topic which is mostly a good thing. He covers the standard topics including the cultural differences between the French and what seems to be everyone else. He also includes a nice section on the new home's plumbing and heating. Which I found quite funny.
the book moves along nicely covering visits from family to joining a local amateur football team and trying to fit into all the drinking and eating. The sort of disappointing thing in the book was the last sections covering the issues with the investments being stolen. I will not give away the who in this case. I enjoyed reading these chapters but the book sort of ended. Then the epilogue gave details on the issue. The novel just seemed to end on a down note.
One interesting not on this is the period of the book is mid 1990s. So you don't have a lot of information for example on email, cell phones, internet, etc. Wondering who if anyone will write a more show more modern version of this type of book based on the current time. show less
I've read many other travelogue type books including the complete series from Peter Mayle which sort of started the genre with A Year in Provence. French Fried was very similar. Set in the mid 1990s it tells the story of author, Chris and his wife, and their move from a farm in England to a farm in Southwest France. The story is light and consuming. The author doesn't go into much detail on topic which is mostly a good thing. He covers the standard topics including the cultural differences between the French and what seems to be everyone else. He also includes a nice section on the new home's plumbing and heating. Which I found quite funny.
the book moves along nicely covering visits from family to joining a local amateur football team and trying to fit into all the drinking and eating. The sort of disappointing thing in the book was the last sections covering the issues with the investments being stolen. I will not give away the who in this case. I enjoyed reading these chapters but the book sort of ended. Then the epilogue gave details on the issue. The novel just seemed to end on a down note.
One interesting not on this is the period of the book is mid 1990s. So you don't have a lot of information for example on email, cell phones, internet, etc. Wondering who if anyone will write a more show more modern version of this type of book based on the current time. show less
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
Just read this book for the first time over the past weekend. I've know of the book and author for some time and have read 1984 and other similar book. Well not similar actually. In 1984 we are presented with a society where one is heavily restricted from many things. It paints a picture of a bad Socialist country where everyone works for the good of the government. In Brave New World I find it the opposite. Instead of being forced to work in labor camps you have more freedom to basically do what you want. Everyone belongs to Everyone and all that. It sort of fits today's model or society where there are so many distraction in the media, internet etc. that we really cannot pay attention to the real things which are important.
And totally amazing is the fact is was written in 1923 and many parts are so visible in our current time. Though not sure if the edition I read had been updated as some authors/publishers tend to do.
And totally amazing is the fact is was written in 1923 and many parts are so visible in our current time. Though not sure if the edition I read had been updated as some authors/publishers tend to do.