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A la Mod: My So-Called Tranquil Family Life in Rural France
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Expected 6 May 03Comedian, mod and professional grump Ian Moore has had enough. Tired of being unable to park anywhere near his cramped house in a noisy town he doesn’t like, he hatches a plan to move his wife and young son to a remote corner of the Loire Valley in search of serenity and space. Several years later, Ian finds himself up to his neck in bilingual offspring, feral cats, promiscuous horses, dysfunctional spaniels and needy hens; he’s wrestling with electric fences, a foreign language, a mountain of animal waste and a wife who collects livestock like there’s a biblical flood on the horizon, all while trying not to dirty his loafers. But despite the ups, downs and increasing demands of Ian’s showbiz career, the Moore family persevere in true Brit style to create a unique, colourful and ultimately rewarding life in their new home – à la campagne and à la mod!
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
22 people are currently reading
169 people want to read
About the author
Ian Moore
13 books324 followersBest-Selling author Ian Moore is also a stand-up comedian and conference host in the UK, and husband, father of three boys, farmhand, chutney-maker and Basil Fawlty impersonator in France. Since doing less stand-up, he's stopped taking himself so seriously.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 8, 2014
Ian Moore is a stand-up comedian living with his wife and three boys in England, and not surprisingly gets fed up with the weather and conditions in England, compared with what is available in France. They have family connections in France and so end up moving to France and buying a property large enough to have a couple of horses and myriad animals because his wife feels motherly towards any stray or sick animal, no matter its size or condition. He, Ian, has to commute to England regularly to fulfill engagements for three reasons: firstly to get a reasonable income; secondly because his French is not fluent, and thirdly because there is not a real market for stand-up comedy in France.
I found a couple of clips on YouTube of Ian Moore performing in England, plus one where he actually is performing in French which I thought was pretty admirable. This at least confirmed to me that he is what he says he is.
Much of the book though is about animals and Ian's naivete about animals and farming. This could have been anywhere in the world. I was wanting to know more about interacting with France and the French. This does occur at times, and yes there are some hilarious moments but I did find the first half of the book rather labouring. The second half contains more about France and the bureaucracy and difficulties for foreigners living in France.
I found a couple of clips on YouTube of Ian Moore performing in England, plus one where he actually is performing in French which I thought was pretty admirable. This at least confirmed to me that he is what he says he is.
Much of the book though is about animals and Ian's naivete about animals and farming. This could have been anywhere in the world. I was wanting to know more about interacting with France and the French. This does occur at times, and yes there are some hilarious moments but I did find the first half of the book rather labouring. The second half contains more about France and the bureaucracy and difficulties for foreigners living in France.
May 12, 2015
I was disappointed about this book. It wasn't a story so much. I felt he was trying too hard when writing it
December 23, 2019
I wasn't sure how much I liked this book at first, but it was an easy listen in the car. I liked it more as time went on, and went on to read his sequel as well! The sequel was much funnier. Ian Moore clearly adores his wife and sons. He is particularly good at describing the details of their lives without violating anyone's confidence. He ends up poking fun at himself quite a bit, and his escapades are hilarious!
I'll never forget the scene where they are walking through a city, on holiday, and come upon a cat who has gotten its head stuck in an iron grate 12 feet up, and is hanging there. The cat will clearly die unless rescued. A group of college boys has congregated below, but are not acting, and dissipate as Moore and his family of animal-lovers approach. The family all looks at the hapless Moore, clearly expecting him to perform this rescue. He is dressed in his usual "mod" fashion, and this is the last thing he wants to do. But as usual, he rises to the occasion. As soon as he starts to climb the grate, it shifts it enough that the cat manages to extract its head. But it still does not move, so Moore continues to climb up. Then the cat urinates on Moore's head! (Actually, I think this episode was in the sequel.)
I'll never forget the scene where they are walking through a city, on holiday, and come upon a cat who has gotten its head stuck in an iron grate 12 feet up, and is hanging there. The cat will clearly die unless rescued. A group of college boys has congregated below, but are not acting, and dissipate as Moore and his family of animal-lovers approach. The family all looks at the hapless Moore, clearly expecting him to perform this rescue. He is dressed in his usual "mod" fashion, and this is the last thing he wants to do. But as usual, he rises to the occasion. As soon as he starts to climb the grate, it shifts it enough that the cat manages to extract its head. But it still does not move, so Moore continues to climb up. Then the cat urinates on Moore's head! (Actually, I think this episode was in the sequel.)
April 26, 2025
Got almost half way through and gave up. I absolutely love Ian’s ‘Death and…’ series so assumed this would be right up my street. But no! Very repetitive and just plain dull. Writing style is nothing like his fiction with nothing to keep me interested…… Not to mention that I tired of being reminded that he’s a Mod every page or so….. It is of no consequence to the narrative and I can remember from the last 38 references; I don’t need telling again. I am aware this edition has ‘mod’ in the title but the edition I bought is called ‘viva le chaos’ but it’s the same book.
I’ll stick to his fiction and hope he does too.
I’ll stick to his fiction and hope he does too.
May 15, 2017
So funny, I laughed out loud! Not sure how good a stand up comedian Ian Moore is, but his writing style is excellent. I enjoyed this look at his family life in France. Its good that each chapter follows a theme, although I found it a slight irritant that this meant some leaping around in time, with the children being babies and then at school then back in nappies. But that's a minor gripe, its a great read and very enjoyable.
March 1, 2023
This was insufferable. The author chooses to move to France and have three kids and countless animals but then does nothing but complain about all the noise, the work around the animals and the long commute back to the UK for work. Didn't he think for a second what moving to France and having so many animals would entail?
The book is just ranting, complaining and constant painful (and unsuccessful) attempts at humour and hilarity. Just awful.
The book is just ranting, complaining and constant painful (and unsuccessful) attempts at humour and hilarity. Just awful.
September 27, 2018
Ian Moore is the cross between Victor Meldrew and Michael Caine, He has found the perfect way of telling his story of a Mod living the farm life in rural France . The book is charming ,hysterically funny and I could not put it down. You don’t have to be a mod or like farming to love this book . Its the perfect read. Buy it now you won’t be disappointed
January 20, 2019
I love a book about a family upping sticks and moving abroad. This is someone who moved to rural France with their family for a more tranquil life. There is a lot in the book about battling with French bureaucracy and red tape - as someone who has to deal with French administration on a daily basis at work this really resonated and made me laugh
August 19, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. Not a lover of non fiction I started reading it with less enthusiasm than it deserved but found Ian to be a very funny author and easy read. His wit and story telling made me howl at times and I really think he ought to write more. A great read
February 4, 2024
An excellent read. A wonderful insight into family life living in rural France, heart warming and funny.
I especially enjoyed the way in which Ian wrote about the family of animals he shared his life with - brilliant.
I especially enjoyed the way in which Ian wrote about the family of animals he shared his life with - brilliant.
September 20, 2024
I enjoyed it. It jumps about a bit though. He moves to France with one son (and his wife!) and suddenly he has three sons. I like his sense of humour.
May 19, 2023
Ian Moore is the funniest (and most self aware) grump I’ve ever come across. He gives Jeremy Clarkson a run for his money! This quote sums him up quite well: “I could argue that I am an 'artiste' and therefore need my creative space, but actually I'm just a moody git who needs five minutes to himself occasionally for his own good and for the good of those around him.” Started listening to book 2 immediately after I finished A La Mod, and also look forward to reading Moore’s mystery novel (Death and Croissants).
September 23, 2015
I love France and, as we are planning to move over there in a few years’ time, this story of a family who have done just that really appealed.
There have been lots and lots of books written about the British relocating to France but this book is different. Ian Moore is a comedian, and a mod. And a mod who is determined not to let the fact that he is living in rural France get in the way of his sense of style. He refuses to wear wellington boots, for example, even when the land is knee deep in mud.
His reasons for moving are ones I can really identify with. Why, in Britain, do we pay huge amounts of money for tiny houses and a square of back garden? Why do we accept that that’s how it must be? Bravely, or stupidly, Ian and his wife buy a house in the Loire on impulse, attracted by the space it will give to their growing family.
But it’s not all idyllic. Moore has to travel back and forth to the UK to work, leaving his wife Natalie alone with their children. Often exhausted when he returns home, he also makes the return journey full of trepidation as to how many new animals his wife and boys will have acquired while he’s been away. These animals, including a horse with an intense dislike of Moore, a dog that continuously makes amorous advances to anything that stays still and a band of feral cats that accept no rules, become the bane of Moore’s life. But his wife continues to add to the collection, even trying to save the mice left half dead by the cats. I have an uneasy feeling that this is how it will be for us, and I will spend my life picking up the endless piles of various animals’ poo which is how Natalie seems to spend most of her days.
Funny, very readable and honest too, this book doesn’t give a glamorous, how wonderful it is, fake picture of life in France. It isn’t all drinking wine in the sunshine. There are relentless winters, gales that blow trampolines through the garden, struggles and misunderstandings due to Moore’s inability to pick up the language, and times when it all seems too much. Yes, it’s light-hearted and fun, but it’s also realistic. Does it put me off going to France? No. Will I be reading the next book - C’est Modnifique? Definitely.
There have been lots and lots of books written about the British relocating to France but this book is different. Ian Moore is a comedian, and a mod. And a mod who is determined not to let the fact that he is living in rural France get in the way of his sense of style. He refuses to wear wellington boots, for example, even when the land is knee deep in mud.
His reasons for moving are ones I can really identify with. Why, in Britain, do we pay huge amounts of money for tiny houses and a square of back garden? Why do we accept that that’s how it must be? Bravely, or stupidly, Ian and his wife buy a house in the Loire on impulse, attracted by the space it will give to their growing family.
But it’s not all idyllic. Moore has to travel back and forth to the UK to work, leaving his wife Natalie alone with their children. Often exhausted when he returns home, he also makes the return journey full of trepidation as to how many new animals his wife and boys will have acquired while he’s been away. These animals, including a horse with an intense dislike of Moore, a dog that continuously makes amorous advances to anything that stays still and a band of feral cats that accept no rules, become the bane of Moore’s life. But his wife continues to add to the collection, even trying to save the mice left half dead by the cats. I have an uneasy feeling that this is how it will be for us, and I will spend my life picking up the endless piles of various animals’ poo which is how Natalie seems to spend most of her days.
Funny, very readable and honest too, this book doesn’t give a glamorous, how wonderful it is, fake picture of life in France. It isn’t all drinking wine in the sunshine. There are relentless winters, gales that blow trampolines through the garden, struggles and misunderstandings due to Moore’s inability to pick up the language, and times when it all seems too much. Yes, it’s light-hearted and fun, but it’s also realistic. Does it put me off going to France? No. Will I be reading the next book - C’est Modnifique? Definitely.
June 23, 2013
This is just my sort of book; a funny look at life in rural France. As you would expect from a book written by a comedian there is plenty of humour here and he often had me sniggering, giggling and really laughing with his light hearted look at his life.
Ian is a mod, his appearance is important to him and his clothing is ‘different’. In London and possibly Paris too, he would blend in. In the rural area of the Loire where Ian, Natalie and their three boys have called home, he stands out. This is especially amusing when he describes dressing in his mod best to tackle the many outdoor chores involved in rural living and animal husbandry. The locals seem to view him with a mix of awe, amusement and mistrust, but this doesn’t put Ian off. All he is looking for in life is somewhere quiet to while away his days when he isn’t working on the comedy circuit – this was the main reason they moved from the crowds in the south of UK to the calms of France. His ever-growing family of children and animals, who he seems to think have got it in for him, make this a tricky search, but an amusing read.
I can thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who likes life in France books, and even to those who don’t.
Ian is a mod, his appearance is important to him and his clothing is ‘different’. In London and possibly Paris too, he would blend in. In the rural area of the Loire where Ian, Natalie and their three boys have called home, he stands out. This is especially amusing when he describes dressing in his mod best to tackle the many outdoor chores involved in rural living and animal husbandry. The locals seem to view him with a mix of awe, amusement and mistrust, but this doesn’t put Ian off. All he is looking for in life is somewhere quiet to while away his days when he isn’t working on the comedy circuit – this was the main reason they moved from the crowds in the south of UK to the calms of France. His ever-growing family of children and animals, who he seems to think have got it in for him, make this a tricky search, but an amusing read.
I can thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who likes life in France books, and even to those who don’t.
November 6, 2014
I feel terrible giving this only 2 stars because I usually fervently support any mod doing absolutely anything in the public eye, even having sat through drudging cycling events on the telly just to mentally support Bradley Wiggins. I really like Ian Moore, I do. And I found him to be relatable and charming in his written voice.
But that was kinda where it stopped for me.
Having myself lived for years in France and encountered the endless possibilities for 'amusing' events (cringing miscommunications, cultural differences and social faux pas aplenty) first hand - in other words, ripe fodder for any comedian - I found Moore's accounts of his own experiences surprisingly uneventful. I mean, he gets on with his family and neighbors and seems to have a relative grasp of the language and social norms, so all that's left are his grumblings about his wife's pets, and having to do a bit of farm work. Think mild charming hijinks in a Doc Martin (the tv series, not the shoes) vein.
All of that said, my moddy husband enjoyed this book for its gratuitous references to the authors wardrobe, and because it 'relaxed' his brain, so if those are your prerequisites for a good read, you're in for a pleasant time.
But that was kinda where it stopped for me.
Having myself lived for years in France and encountered the endless possibilities for 'amusing' events (cringing miscommunications, cultural differences and social faux pas aplenty) first hand - in other words, ripe fodder for any comedian - I found Moore's accounts of his own experiences surprisingly uneventful. I mean, he gets on with his family and neighbors and seems to have a relative grasp of the language and social norms, so all that's left are his grumblings about his wife's pets, and having to do a bit of farm work. Think mild charming hijinks in a Doc Martin (the tv series, not the shoes) vein.
All of that said, my moddy husband enjoyed this book for its gratuitous references to the authors wardrobe, and because it 'relaxed' his brain, so if those are your prerequisites for a good read, you're in for a pleasant time.
January 21, 2014
If David Niven were a Mod, 12 July 2013
I read David Niven's 'The Moon's a Balloon' when I was 15. The scene were he sticks his frost bitten plums in a glass of brandy is the funniest moment in any autobiography. It can not be beaten.
However, Ian Moore gets very, very close. He also gets very, very close on many occasions. In fact there is not a single page where I did not laugh, wince, feel the pathos or splutter tea over the gloriously written prose.
Further, this is a book that can be read and enjoyed by anyone old enough to know that life doesn't always (if ever) go according to plan. Mr Moore's 'A la Mod' can be recommended with confidence to maiden aunt (the more bawdy subject matter is handled with delicate precision and expert use of vocabulary rarely seen outside of Shakespeare) to your football hooligan mate Trevor, who only gets excited when pain is involved.
Perfect for a holiday read, or to give reason to the futility of commute.
If there is a heaven, David Niven is certainly reading this splendid tome with a glass of brandy and laughing hard.
Highly recommended.
I read David Niven's 'The Moon's a Balloon' when I was 15. The scene were he sticks his frost bitten plums in a glass of brandy is the funniest moment in any autobiography. It can not be beaten.
However, Ian Moore gets very, very close. He also gets very, very close on many occasions. In fact there is not a single page where I did not laugh, wince, feel the pathos or splutter tea over the gloriously written prose.
Further, this is a book that can be read and enjoyed by anyone old enough to know that life doesn't always (if ever) go according to plan. Mr Moore's 'A la Mod' can be recommended with confidence to maiden aunt (the more bawdy subject matter is handled with delicate precision and expert use of vocabulary rarely seen outside of Shakespeare) to your football hooligan mate Trevor, who only gets excited when pain is involved.
Perfect for a holiday read, or to give reason to the futility of commute.
If there is a heaven, David Niven is certainly reading this splendid tome with a glass of brandy and laughing hard.
Highly recommended.
March 6, 2014
I'm not normally a lover of "I took my life off the beaten track and now it's idyllic/I massively regret it" memoirs, but this one is different. There isn't any great lesson for you to learn about your life here, except maybe to learn that moving to another country is hard work, but can ultimately be worth it if you put in the effort and maintain a sense of humour. There, see? You knew that already. So you can just relax and enjoy the stories of dog frottage, overnight coach journeys, trying to get a mobile phone signal in an orchard, and proliferating cushions.
December 6, 2016
Just terrible - I couldn't finish it. Even after 50 or so pages i'd have enough of, 'I don't like cats' next paragraph 'my wife and children got cats' and 'I'm a mod living in France aren't I unusual?' Much hilarity ensues, only it doesn't. There are much better books out there about moving to France, don't bother with this one. I am not sure who to blame, but the editor needs to take a long look at themselves as for allowing so much repetitive text.
January 7, 2017
This is an ok, humorous read. I liked the style of writing and Ian Moore manages to find the humour in his everyday life. The only trouble is it felt like it only scratched the surface of everything. I never really got to know his family, his pets/animals all had more depth than the actual people in his life, which was a real shame.
The book doesn't have much progression/story and it did become repetitive. I found myself skimming the last 30%. A 2.5 star
The book doesn't have much progression/story and it did become repetitive. I found myself skimming the last 30%. A 2.5 star
July 12, 2016
I was sure I would like this, but 23 chapters of "I hate animals and my family make me have lots of animals", a chapter of "I hate camping and my family wanted me to camp" and a chapter of "I hate building work and my house had builders in" and then it was over before I had a chance to.
January 1, 2015
I laughed out loud a LOT
And read bits out loud. The zoo, the kids, the chaos, hilarious. And all narrated with affection. Not a fan of the Mod style except in its own era :) and the writing is good!
And read bits out loud. The zoo, the kids, the chaos, hilarious. And all narrated with affection. Not a fan of the Mod style except in its own era :) and the writing is good!
April 30, 2014
Fun and entertaining
December 13, 2014
not bad, good writing style; just went on a bit too long for me.
October 2, 2015
Laughed out loud in some places, got a bit repetitive towards the end though.
June 23, 2014
Entertaining and funny, quite a good read.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews