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Finding me in France
It's never too late to find the life you've always wanted. Bobbi French is just an ordinary person seeking an extraordinary life. For her, that means taking the boldest leap of faith in her life: moving to France to fulfill a lifelong dream. All she has to do is give up her successful medical career in Canada, sell her house, pare down her possessions to only what would fit in a carry-on suitcase, and buy a one-way ticket to Semur-en-Auxois. She also has to ignore the common opinion that she's lost her mind, walking away from it all for a fantasy. Finding Me in France is a chronicle of the delights and deprecations of making a dream come true. Landing in a small village in Burgundy with only her expectations of adventure to guide her, she details the unaccountable stumbling blocks and the unforeseen joys of her often awkward, frequently perplexing, always entertaining journey of discovery. Illustrated with inspiring photographs, a funny and perceptive account of her experience of a lifetime.
270 pages, Paperback
First published April 5, 2012
3 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 30, 2013
I'm a little bit torn on this book. I was so looking forward to reading it, and it definitely disappointed me... mostly because it wasn't at all what I was expecting.
The whole time I was thinking... this kind of reads like someone rambling blog entries. I wasn't overly shocked when she said at the end that it was basically a blog for her friends that became a book.
I was expecting some lovely descriptions of culture and people and whatnot... while there was some of that, it was mostly her talking about being unemployed and how amazing her husband is. I mean, that's really great that she loves her husband, but I don't really need to read pages of odes to him. Always followed by a snarky joke. There were a few moments where she discussed the town, and some photos... but absolutely no depth. Very much a diary-like run down of events.
A lot of people said this book was laugh out loud funny. Maybe I have a different sense of humour, but I was often rolling my eyes. I did appreciate the Canadian references, but other people wouldn't get it.
Yet despite all my complaints above... I did find myself reading it constantly. I think I'm just annoyed that I spent money on it, when I could have just read the blog. Because yeah, it's basically a compilation of adequately written blog entries about her daily trials, and not really a whole lot about France.
The whole time I was thinking... this kind of reads like someone rambling blog entries. I wasn't overly shocked when she said at the end that it was basically a blog for her friends that became a book.
I was expecting some lovely descriptions of culture and people and whatnot... while there was some of that, it was mostly her talking about being unemployed and how amazing her husband is. I mean, that's really great that she loves her husband, but I don't really need to read pages of odes to him. Always followed by a snarky joke. There were a few moments where she discussed the town, and some photos... but absolutely no depth. Very much a diary-like run down of events.
A lot of people said this book was laugh out loud funny. Maybe I have a different sense of humour, but I was often rolling my eyes. I did appreciate the Canadian references, but other people wouldn't get it.
Yet despite all my complaints above... I did find myself reading it constantly. I think I'm just annoyed that I spent money on it, when I could have just read the blog. Because yeah, it's basically a compilation of adequately written blog entries about her daily trials, and not really a whole lot about France.
February 15, 2013
I actually won't end up finishing this book. It has to go back to the library. I got to page 138. It actually put me to sleep. I was only able to read 10-15 pages a night & had no desire to read it on the weekend. I wanted to read it because it is an Atlantic Canadian author. I just could not relate to her running away to France to have a different lifestyle. I was not a fan of "Eat Pray Love" either. However the pictures throughout the book did complement it.
September 22, 2018
I enjoyed this book, though the writing was sometimes uneven, and the voice sometimes a bit annoying. I'm always interested in people's experiences living in foreign countries--and France in particular because my son lived there for two years. Samur sounds like a lovely place--I hope to visit it someday!
September 14, 2022
I have only finished Chapter 1 but thoroughly in love with the author and look forward to meeting her as she has moved to our neighbourhood!
I loved this book as much for the humour as for the life lessons. Yes they are quite adventurous as a couple and obviously financially capable of taking a sabbatical but it is a great lesson in taking a break from a busy life and examining oneself.
I loved this book as much for the humour as for the life lessons. Yes they are quite adventurous as a couple and obviously financially capable of taking a sabbatical but it is a great lesson in taking a break from a busy life and examining oneself.
April 7, 2020
Very funny. I didn't want it to end as I was enjoying being transported to another country by a fellow Canadian.
June 26, 2021
Alright. A fun read, but the never ending sarcasm / self deprecation got a bit tired after a while. And that’s coming from someone who is fluent in those two dialects.
July 23, 2022
Funny and engaging but still a bit confusing. How did she get invited into so many lives when she could not speak to them?
February 6, 2023
A slow start, had to put the book down and read something else but towards the end the pace picked up.
July 13, 2024
Such a great story the author details her and her husband stay in France for a year
June 11, 2013
Bobbi French leaves her successful medical career in Newfoundland and moves with Neil to a small village in France. Juliette Sobanet, author of "Sleeping with Paris", says her tales of setting up shop in the land of croissants, verb conjugations, and mortgage applications will have you laughing out loud, yearning for a pain au chocolat, and plotting a move to France. Gorgeous colour photographs illustrate her experience of a lifetime.
As much as I enjoyed this hilarious tale of starting over, then along came her blog, and I follow it almost daily. It's subtitled "A Psychiatrist's Pilgrimage to Joy". After a few years in France, they move to Switzerland; and after a few years there they move to Victoria BC ... yikes, about 30 minutes from the small town where I live. I wonder if I'll recognize her some day on the street
As much as I enjoyed this hilarious tale of starting over, then along came her blog, and I follow it almost daily. It's subtitled "A Psychiatrist's Pilgrimage to Joy". After a few years in France, they move to Switzerland; and after a few years there they move to Victoria BC ... yikes, about 30 minutes from the small town where I live. I wonder if I'll recognize her some day on the street
September 30, 2012
I really enjoyed this book...now you probably need to be in 40's/50's to really understand the journey that Bobbi French took, but I think anyone reading this book will get a taste of what their own journey can look like...at any age.
This novel was very real, easy to read and there were times where you could not stop laughing at the entertaining journey this writer and her husband was taking...moving to France for a new life. Reading about their plan to move to France, selling most of their possessions, finding a place to live, moving trucks (laugh), to the wonderful people/experience they encountered.
This book has encouraged me to follow a dream I've always had...to travel, Italy, Spain...here I come!!!
I hope you enjoy the read as much as I did
This novel was very real, easy to read and there were times where you could not stop laughing at the entertaining journey this writer and her husband was taking...moving to France for a new life. Reading about their plan to move to France, selling most of their possessions, finding a place to live, moving trucks (laugh), to the wonderful people/experience they encountered.
This book has encouraged me to follow a dream I've always had...to travel, Italy, Spain...here I come!!!
I hope you enjoy the read as much as I did
September 3, 2013
The title is bang on. This eclectic, relatively mad, diary-like recounting of a woman basically escaping a successful life to truly discover herself. The writing does draw you in and you experience the humerous roller coaster ride of starting over without ever really releasing the anchor to reality, so it rings true.
I used the term "relatively mad" because the main character makes no bones about the fact she has faced her relatively ahem ... intense personality, and flaunts it.
After reading I gently placed this book on my shelf of travel books that I will, with great delight, reread in the future unless I lend it out to a friend and of course never see it again ... but we all know about that as readers ;)
I used the term "relatively mad" because the main character makes no bones about the fact she has faced her relatively ahem ... intense personality, and flaunts it.
After reading I gently placed this book on my shelf of travel books that I will, with great delight, reread in the future unless I lend it out to a friend and of course never see it again ... but we all know about that as readers ;)
February 21, 2014
Read this novel while travelling through Italy and France and it was delightful!!! Incredible true story of a brave woman leaving Canada to live a peaceful, simple life with her husband in France (not knowing the language at all). Definitely related to this story when I lived in Italy for three months with no knowledge of Italian culture or language! Anyone who enjoys stories of travel and adventure should read this book :)
June 21, 2012
Living on the east coast of Canada, I love to read Atlantic Read authors. This book has a different flavour to it. Bobbi French should be offered a job with CBC writing for THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES! Love to read stories of people making life changing decisions, about their day to day life! Another first time author. Hopefully she will write more!
June 20, 2016
Not much plot or character development to speak of, and I didn't care much for the author's writing style - too much reliance on cliches and that self-deprecating humour that is so common in chick lit, especially in regards to her the author's appearance. So why did it get more than one star? Well, some of the pictures are nice. I would have been better off reading a good travel blog.
July 6, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. It was frank, open and honest. I liked that she remained true to her newfoundland roots, the references, the colloquilisms, all spoken like a true townie. The pictures were an added bonus. She's living the dream.... there is hope for us all!
January 28, 2013
Well written and an enjoyable adventure. While I really enjoyed the style, I was a little disappointed in Bobbi's anti Canadian attitude. As a tri blue patriot, I was very disappointed in her lack of Canadian spirit. You know what, if France is so amazing, stay.
March 13, 2013
A fun story that's both inspiring and entertaining. Though I was hoping for a bit more emotional depth, it was an excellent way to experience rural France. I sincerely hope Mrs. French decides to continue writing in the future.
July 10, 2017
A really motivating story. Loved all the Canadian pop culture references. Definitely going to re-read this one when I'm a lot older, I'll probably get more out of it. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed it.
September 2, 2012
A view of moving to small town France. Some good laughs, though overuse of the word arse gets tiresome.
August 15, 2012
HYSTERICAL. I love self-deprecation. Support our Newfoundlanders and read this book!
September 3, 2012
Interesting, but after two years in France the author is moving on.
September 7, 2012
Absolutely lived it and was laugh out loud funny. Best book read if 2012!
April 14, 2013
Really enjoyed this funny book about starting a new life. Great photos!
November 25, 2015
Not my typical book, but I still enjoyed it quite a bit. It was interesting to read of her journey of self-discovery.
August 12, 2013
Honest, laugh-out-loud funny in many places. Highly enjoyable.
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March 30, 2021Was looking forward to this but turns out it's a blog-to-book book. Most of the sections are a page or so long which is very unsatisfying.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews