[Almost French : A New Life in Paris] [By: Turnbull, Sarah] [May, 2005]

by Sarah Turnbull

Paperback

Reviews

[lala · Rating 3 out of 5]

boring at first but the epilogue almost got me sobbing

[Jessica Stracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this during a heat wave in Sydney and was getting really into some chapters … and other I had to push through !! The way she describes the French makes so much sense now when interacting with French people in their homeland I now understand their culture so much more … an interesting read as it shows the struggles of creating a new life in a foreign city with a different language and the slow and steady journey of patience and tolerance on her behalf to change and not expect the locals to as they are who they are ! I’ve never thought Paris to be a romantic city so I struggled to understand her relationship with the city … but I grew up in the county so I would prefer countryside France I am sure… then the inner city life she dreams of ! But it was a fun journey to take with her ,. And I am grateful for her shared experience! Not something I would want to take on though …

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Turnbull relates the challenges of being an expat in Paris and learning to love her new home. She marries a Frenchman but in spite of that, the cultural differences often prove challenging. The book details their marriage, the birth of their child, and their eventual move to Australia, Sarah's home country. A great read for anyone considering becoming an expat. I also gathered a lot of insight into the French culture.

[Shreya P M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had really high expectations because of the title and the first few chapters did keep me hooked but later on it went on bland for me!

[Marco Loricchio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah, an Australian expat living in France, shares her experiences of life in Paris. Her story unfolds from the moment she decided to move, through her marriage to a French man, to the challenges she faced in navigating a new city. With a candid narrative, she recounts her search for work, her efforts to adapt to a different culture, her learning of the local customs, and her journey through childbirth. This insightful yet accessible book offers a look into the highs and lows of being an expat.

It is a light and mindless read for anyone who relocated, wondering whether they are losing their mind or if this is just part of the shared experience of moving abroad.