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I Am Finally, Finally French: My Accidental Life in Brittany
The long-awaited sequel to the bestselling (Not Quite) Mastering the Art of French Living
Thirty years ago, Mark Greenside arrived in Brittany with a girlfriend and left with something a lifelong love affair with a village, its people, and its way of life. When a series of impulsive, improbable decisions landed him the keys to a 120-year-old farmhouse in Plobien, Mark began a bumbling, hilarious journey through the trials and triumphs of adapting to life in rural France. From navigating unwritten rules about touching tomatoes at the market to hosting dinners for discerning locals, every mishap and cultural misunderstanding became a lesson in resilience, humility, and humor.
Now, decades later, Mark reflects on the unforeseen joys and challenges of growing older in the place he calls home every summer. With his trademark wit and self-awareness, he reveals how his life in Plobien—and his neighbors’ enduring patience—have shaped him into something he never thought he’d truly, deeply, finally French.
Both a love letter to Brittany and a meditation on life’s unpredictability, Bonjour, Au Revoir (I'm Finally Finally French) is an invitation to laugh, learn, and savor the beauty of embracing change—no matter how daunting it seems.
Thirty years ago, Mark Greenside arrived in Brittany with a girlfriend and left with something a lifelong love affair with a village, its people, and its way of life. When a series of impulsive, improbable decisions landed him the keys to a 120-year-old farmhouse in Plobien, Mark began a bumbling, hilarious journey through the trials and triumphs of adapting to life in rural France. From navigating unwritten rules about touching tomatoes at the market to hosting dinners for discerning locals, every mishap and cultural misunderstanding became a lesson in resilience, humility, and humor.
Now, decades later, Mark reflects on the unforeseen joys and challenges of growing older in the place he calls home every summer. With his trademark wit and self-awareness, he reveals how his life in Plobien—and his neighbors’ enduring patience—have shaped him into something he never thought he’d truly, deeply, finally French.
Both a love letter to Brittany and a meditation on life’s unpredictability, Bonjour, Au Revoir (I'm Finally Finally French) is an invitation to laugh, learn, and savor the beauty of embracing change—no matter how daunting it seems.
264 pages, Hardcover
Published October 28, 2025
13 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Mark Greenside
6 books36 followersMark Greenside holds B.S. and M.A. degrees from the University of Wisconsin. He has been a civil rights activist, Vietnam War protestor, anti-draft counselor, Vista Volunteer, union leader, and college professor. His stories have appeared in The Sun, The Literary Review, Cimarron Review, The Nebraska Review, Beloit Fiction Journal, The New Laurel Review, Crosscurrents, Five Fingers Review, and The Long Story, as well as other journals and magazines, and he is the author of the short story collection, I Saw a Man Hit His Wife.
He presently lives in Alameda, California, where he continues to teach and be politically active, and Brittany, France, where he still can't do anything without asking for help.
He presently lives in Alameda, California, where he continues to teach and be politically active, and Brittany, France, where he still can't do anything without asking for help.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 10, 2026
The first thing that captured me as I began reading ‘I Am Finally, Finally French’ by Mark Greenside is the earnest sincerity the author conveyed in his writing. The author’s patience and self-awareness, mixed in with his natural humor, made this book a pleasant read. It was easy to feel the passion he felt in telling life story.
I appreciated the fact that the author did not paint France with the romanticized clichés you typically encounter on social media and in reading materials. (It's not all about croissants, castles, and living a glamorous lifestyle.) Greenside kept his renditions real, wittily conveying his honest experiences regarding language barriers, social etiquette, cultivating friendships, bureaucracy, basically being an outsider trying to adapt to a foreign culture.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in the real-life experience of being a foreigner trying to settle (and integrate) in France. The author is trying to live his best life... I can get behind that. 5/5
I appreciated the fact that the author did not paint France with the romanticized clichés you typically encounter on social media and in reading materials. (It's not all about croissants, castles, and living a glamorous lifestyle.) Greenside kept his renditions real, wittily conveying his honest experiences regarding language barriers, social etiquette, cultivating friendships, bureaucracy, basically being an outsider trying to adapt to a foreign culture.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in the real-life experience of being a foreigner trying to settle (and integrate) in France. The author is trying to live his best life... I can get behind that. 5/5
November 8, 2025
This would be a 3.5 for me. I loved his first book, don't remember the 2nd book at all but this one was a bit light. It was mostly him complaining about things that broke in his house and which neighbor he asked to help him fix the problem. Chimneys, bees, stone walls, cars. You name it. But I'm still jealous that he has a house in Bretagne.
July 13, 2025
Some books charm you. Others provoke deep thought. A rare few, like I Am Finally, Finally French, do both while keeping you laughing all the way through. Mark Greenside's newest memoir is a warm, witty, and entirely human account of learning to live—and age—with grace and grit in rural Brittany. More than a tale of culture clash, it’s a celebration of embracing the unfamiliar, of finding a sense of home in a place that once felt foreign.
What sets this memoir apart from others in the “American-abroad” genre is Greenside’s refusal to romanticize or rush his transformation. Unlike tales that paint France in glossy strokes of croissants and châteaux, this one earns its affection the hard way—through humility, humor, and the long, often clumsy dance of adaptation. Thirty years after buying a dilapidated farmhouse in a village of 500, Greenside doesn’t claim mastery over his adopted home, but instead marvels at how the people and culture have shaped him—into someone he never expected to become.
Greenside, a self-proclaimed pessimist and former outsider in every sense, documents life’s little absurdities with disarming honesty. Whether struggling with the nuances of French social etiquette or trying to decipher the inscrutable rules of local bureaucracy, his adventures are both hilarious and heartening. You don’t need to have lived in France to recognize the universal themes of miscommunication, belonging, and the hard-won beauty of personal growth.
The joy of reading this book lies in the details: a tomato at the market becomes a lesson in social ritual, a dinner party is an exercise in diplomacy, and aging itself is seen through a lens that is neither saccharine nor cynical, but reflective and real. Greenside's storytelling is alive with wit, and his self-awareness is refreshing—never smug, always sincere.
Perhaps the most moving element is the backdrop of time. Unlike typical travel memoirs that focus on arrival, this one is steeped in what comes after: the decades of return trips, of growing older in a place that becomes home not all at once, but inch by inch. It's this long view—of friendship, of change, of quiet acceptance—that makes I Am Finally, Finally French more than just a funny expat tale. It's a book about life, told through the lens of a place that gave it a different hue.
My own experience reading it mirrored the heart of the story: completely engrossing, surprisingly moving, and unexpectedly funny. Time flew. I laughed aloud more than once at Greenside’s antics and reflections, and I often felt I was right there in Plobien, sipping wine with his neighbors or fumbling through a social faux pas at the marché. Having visited France myself, I found his experiences utterly believable—which only deepened the connection I felt to the story. In fact, I've already begun recommending this book to friends, one of whom recently bought her own home in France and is eagerly anticipating the release of this book.
If there’s any critique, it’s that some readers hoping for a more traditional narrative arc may find the episodic style of the memoir a bit loose. But to expect tight plotlines is to miss the point: this isn’t a story of conquest or destination, but of becoming—slowly, awkwardly, and entirely on one’s own terms.
In a literary world full of overcurated lives and Instagram-perfect journeys, I Am Finally, Finally French is a breath of fresh, countryside air. It reminds us that true belonging doesn’t happen in an instant; it’s earned, often hilariously, through years of stumbling, learning, and showing up. Whether you're a seasoned traveler, a Francophile, or simply someone who appreciates stories of reinvention later in life, this book will speak to you.
Greenside doesn’t just tell us he feels “finally, finally French.” He shows us, in every page, how a place can change a person—not by erasing who they were, but by uncovering who they were meant to become.
Thank you Skyhorse Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
What sets this memoir apart from others in the “American-abroad” genre is Greenside’s refusal to romanticize or rush his transformation. Unlike tales that paint France in glossy strokes of croissants and châteaux, this one earns its affection the hard way—through humility, humor, and the long, often clumsy dance of adaptation. Thirty years after buying a dilapidated farmhouse in a village of 500, Greenside doesn’t claim mastery over his adopted home, but instead marvels at how the people and culture have shaped him—into someone he never expected to become.
Greenside, a self-proclaimed pessimist and former outsider in every sense, documents life’s little absurdities with disarming honesty. Whether struggling with the nuances of French social etiquette or trying to decipher the inscrutable rules of local bureaucracy, his adventures are both hilarious and heartening. You don’t need to have lived in France to recognize the universal themes of miscommunication, belonging, and the hard-won beauty of personal growth.
The joy of reading this book lies in the details: a tomato at the market becomes a lesson in social ritual, a dinner party is an exercise in diplomacy, and aging itself is seen through a lens that is neither saccharine nor cynical, but reflective and real. Greenside's storytelling is alive with wit, and his self-awareness is refreshing—never smug, always sincere.
Perhaps the most moving element is the backdrop of time. Unlike typical travel memoirs that focus on arrival, this one is steeped in what comes after: the decades of return trips, of growing older in a place that becomes home not all at once, but inch by inch. It's this long view—of friendship, of change, of quiet acceptance—that makes I Am Finally, Finally French more than just a funny expat tale. It's a book about life, told through the lens of a place that gave it a different hue.
My own experience reading it mirrored the heart of the story: completely engrossing, surprisingly moving, and unexpectedly funny. Time flew. I laughed aloud more than once at Greenside’s antics and reflections, and I often felt I was right there in Plobien, sipping wine with his neighbors or fumbling through a social faux pas at the marché. Having visited France myself, I found his experiences utterly believable—which only deepened the connection I felt to the story. In fact, I've already begun recommending this book to friends, one of whom recently bought her own home in France and is eagerly anticipating the release of this book.
If there’s any critique, it’s that some readers hoping for a more traditional narrative arc may find the episodic style of the memoir a bit loose. But to expect tight plotlines is to miss the point: this isn’t a story of conquest or destination, but of becoming—slowly, awkwardly, and entirely on one’s own terms.
In a literary world full of overcurated lives and Instagram-perfect journeys, I Am Finally, Finally French is a breath of fresh, countryside air. It reminds us that true belonging doesn’t happen in an instant; it’s earned, often hilariously, through years of stumbling, learning, and showing up. Whether you're a seasoned traveler, a Francophile, or simply someone who appreciates stories of reinvention later in life, this book will speak to you.
Greenside doesn’t just tell us he feels “finally, finally French.” He shows us, in every page, how a place can change a person—not by erasing who they were, but by uncovering who they were meant to become.
Thank you Skyhorse Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
October 21, 2025
Boy, does this book ever resonate with me! I Am Finally, Finally French by Mark Greenside is about an American spending his summers in a village of 500 in France. As a Canadian, I live one year at a time as a temporary resident in rural Croatia (a village of a few houses) then return to Canada to fulfill legal requirements then return to Croatia for another year. Living abroad is much, much different from vacationing...and in my experience after several years is far more meaningful and immersive. There is nothing like it. So, I chuckled knowingly at the author's (mis)adventures, having had some of the very same things happen to me. Greenside describes feeling like an idiot with pronunciation, always getting something wrong helping a neighbour, figuring out various official-looking correspondence (Google Translate isn't always accurate), water meter reading, skimpy opening business hours, sewer line issues, insect infestations, and the nightmare of discovering that land is for sale in his village. I understand! Yet his life in France has been extremely satisfying. He finishes his book with things he learned about Brittany, France and himself and explains in the US he worries about big things and in France the little things are a struggle, things citizens take for granted. When living on a different continent, the learning curve is tremendous, yet so is the satisfaction. When he leaves France, he says goodbye to everything...his house, the river, croissants, people...I do the same and long to return.
Greenside's writing is witty, self deprecating, informative and descriptive. It felt like he was partially telling my story, too. Each anecdote is an adventure of sorts, some more challenging to cope with than others. His approach is realistic and includes the positives and negatives. It's impossible not to compare one's home country with one's "new" country and the differences can be staggering. But he has learned to expect the unexpected and though he will never be a local (same with me), he is respected and accepted, easier said than done. The more you learn, the more you realize you don't know really applies here. But for the curious and adventurous, you just may discover new contentment and fulfillment in the place which puts a permanent smile on your face. This book is truly a great one to reach for whether you are a traveler or not.
Greenside's writing is witty, self deprecating, informative and descriptive. It felt like he was partially telling my story, too. Each anecdote is an adventure of sorts, some more challenging to cope with than others. His approach is realistic and includes the positives and negatives. It's impossible not to compare one's home country with one's "new" country and the differences can be staggering. But he has learned to expect the unexpected and though he will never be a local (same with me), he is respected and accepted, easier said than done. The more you learn, the more you realize you don't know really applies here. But for the curious and adventurous, you just may discover new contentment and fulfillment in the place which puts a permanent smile on your face. This book is truly a great one to reach for whether you are a traveler or not.
December 21, 2025
I requested a digital ARC of "I Am Finally, Finally French: My Accidental Life in Brittany" from NetGalley because I’ve been intrigued by France ever since high school French class. Although I’ve never had the chance to visit, I continue to engage with French culture through books, films, and music, so a memoir about building a life there immediately caught my attention.
This book didn’t quite deliver the level of humor its premise suggests, at least not for me, but it was engaging and thoughtful in other ways. Greenside is clearly an experienced memoirist, and his observations about daily life in rural Brittany—bureaucracy, homeownership, aging, and the realities of being an outsider—are detailed and vivid. What the book does especially well is communicate just how challenging life can be in another country when you don’t fully speak the language and are navigating systems very different from those in the U.S.
At times, the author’s circumstances made it hard for me to fully relate—particularly his ability, as a middle-aged adult, to rely on family financial support to purchase a home abroad. That said, those advantages don’t negate the genuine difficulties he faces, and I appreciated his honesty about vulnerability, dependence, and the practical concerns of growing older far from one’s country of origin.
While this may not have been as laugh-out-loud funny as advertised, it is reflective, informative, and often quietly insightful. I suspect readers already familiar with Greenside’s earlier books—or those interested in expat life beyond the glossy fantasy version—will find much to appreciate here.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book didn’t quite deliver the level of humor its premise suggests, at least not for me, but it was engaging and thoughtful in other ways. Greenside is clearly an experienced memoirist, and his observations about daily life in rural Brittany—bureaucracy, homeownership, aging, and the realities of being an outsider—are detailed and vivid. What the book does especially well is communicate just how challenging life can be in another country when you don’t fully speak the language and are navigating systems very different from those in the U.S.
At times, the author’s circumstances made it hard for me to fully relate—particularly his ability, as a middle-aged adult, to rely on family financial support to purchase a home abroad. That said, those advantages don’t negate the genuine difficulties he faces, and I appreciated his honesty about vulnerability, dependence, and the practical concerns of growing older far from one’s country of origin.
While this may not have been as laugh-out-loud funny as advertised, it is reflective, informative, and often quietly insightful. I suspect readers already familiar with Greenside’s earlier books—or those interested in expat life beyond the glossy fantasy version—will find much to appreciate here.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 29, 2025
At age 47, Marc took a chance and bought a 120-year-old farmhouse in Plobien, Brittany, France. It was a giant step but one he is excited about. Now, years later, he lives in California for most of the year and lives in France for the summer.
Marc talks about getting to know his neighbors and trying very hard to speak French which he manages to mangle fairly well, however, I had to admire him for trying. He talks about the process of getting his modem hooked up for his computer and television and how when he finds someone who is understanding and helpful to him, he is faithful to them and gives them his business exclusively.
We hear about the way the local government entities do things their own way that may not go along with how residents think it should. Working with some French companies can be quite frustrating but one needs to learn to not get upset about it. The best part is the many friends he and his wife make and the fun they have together.
I was intrigued to read this book because my family and I spent 6 years in Paris and I have my own stories that compare to what Marc has gone through. There were some funny times and some frustrating times as well. However, I would not exchange my experience for anything. So, come along and ride with Marc as he encounters his experiences in the most glorious country that I completely adore. Enjoy!
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Marc talks about getting to know his neighbors and trying very hard to speak French which he manages to mangle fairly well, however, I had to admire him for trying. He talks about the process of getting his modem hooked up for his computer and television and how when he finds someone who is understanding and helpful to him, he is faithful to them and gives them his business exclusively.
We hear about the way the local government entities do things their own way that may not go along with how residents think it should. Working with some French companies can be quite frustrating but one needs to learn to not get upset about it. The best part is the many friends he and his wife make and the fun they have together.
I was intrigued to read this book because my family and I spent 6 years in Paris and I have my own stories that compare to what Marc has gone through. There were some funny times and some frustrating times as well. However, I would not exchange my experience for anything. So, come along and ride with Marc as he encounters his experiences in the most glorious country that I completely adore. Enjoy!
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
October 29, 2025
Thirty years ago, Mark bought a house in Brittany on a whim, but after investing many summers in his town, many dollars into his house, and many hours on the phone with French customer service, he has transformed from part-time resident to local staple. He has built and sustained friendships with neighbors and the remarkable number of workmen who are required to maintain his historic home. In this book, Mark moves through his usual adventures—bees in his chimney, again; teaching his wife to drive a manual transmission and then realizing some (most) things are better left to the professionals—with his usual humility and humor, always ready to make up for his pidgin French and cultural foibles with an offer of a cup of coffee or a bottle of whiskey. Yet now, his missteps are fewer, and the coffee is more habit and pleasure than a plea for forgiveness. His identity has been shaped by France: when he first arrived in Brittany, he was suspicious and accustomed to going it alone. As a foreigner, he’s had to rely on other people, none of whom have let him down, and as a result he is now a trusting and deeply-ingrained member of his town. This is a beautiful capstone to Mark’s tales and life lessons from decades of living in Brittany. He is indeed finally French, or at least as close as an American can hope to get. Mark, who never knew the right thing to do, now seems to have done it all along, with the close friends and beautiful home to prove it.
November 16, 2025
A Warm, Funny, and Familiar Return to Brittany
I Am Finally, Finally French is exactly the book I hoped Mark Greenside would write—and then some. If you’ve enjoyed his previous two books about his accidental life in France, this new installment feels like coming home to familiar friends, familiar lanes, and familiar laughter.
Greenside’s voice is as warm, self-deprecating, and irresistibly human as ever. He has a gift for transforming everyday cultural misadventures into stories that make you smile, nod, and laugh out loud. What I love most is the way he writes with genuine affection—for Brittany, for its people, and for all the ways life changes you when you’re not looking.
There’s humor, there’s heart, and there’s that unmistakable Greenside honesty about what it means to try (and keep trying) to belong somewhere. His observations are sharp but never unkind; his storytelling flows effortlessly; and the book carries that special mix of comedy and tenderness that made his earlier works so beloved.
If you enjoyed I’ll Never Be French and (Not Quite) Mastering the Art of French Living, this is a must-read. And if you’re new to his writing, this book is a delightful place to start. By the final page, I found myself wishing I could pack a bag and join him in Brittany—missteps, baguettes, neighbors, and all.
I Am Finally, Finally French is exactly the book I hoped Mark Greenside would write—and then some. If you’ve enjoyed his previous two books about his accidental life in France, this new installment feels like coming home to familiar friends, familiar lanes, and familiar laughter.
Greenside’s voice is as warm, self-deprecating, and irresistibly human as ever. He has a gift for transforming everyday cultural misadventures into stories that make you smile, nod, and laugh out loud. What I love most is the way he writes with genuine affection—for Brittany, for its people, and for all the ways life changes you when you’re not looking.
There’s humor, there’s heart, and there’s that unmistakable Greenside honesty about what it means to try (and keep trying) to belong somewhere. His observations are sharp but never unkind; his storytelling flows effortlessly; and the book carries that special mix of comedy and tenderness that made his earlier works so beloved.
If you enjoyed I’ll Never Be French and (Not Quite) Mastering the Art of French Living, this is a must-read. And if you’re new to his writing, this book is a delightful place to start. By the final page, I found myself wishing I could pack a bag and join him in Brittany—missteps, baguettes, neighbors, and all.
November 29, 2025
After reading "I'll Never Be French," I was hooked by Mark Greenside's conversational style, quick wit, and adventuresome spirit. I still chuckle about his interactions with the insurance agent, and feel equal parts awe and jealousy that he ended up buying a house in France. As a lifelong francophile, I have dreamed of such a thing--and maybe there's hope for me yet.
Naturally I also had to read his latest, "I Am Finally, Finally French." This time around there were fewer out-loud guffaws and more of a ruminative tone. It is, after all, 30 years since his purchase of the home in Plobien and as he writes (I paraphrase), he is slowing down even while time is speeding up. Still, I enjoyed the book as it more detailed the nuts and bolts of leading the expat life: The coming and going, and all the details and processes involved. A lot!
Some folks see the second home overseas as all glamour and ease, but Greenside makes clear the difficulties, challenges, and joys. There are almost nonstop aggravations with internet service, but then the incredible kindness of neighbors and friends. His accounting of the differences between France and the U.S. (and their peoples) are often spot-on, amusing, and thought-provoking.
I'm still a francophile with a dream of living in France, but now feel a lot more realistic about it. Merci Monsier Greenseed.
Naturally I also had to read his latest, "I Am Finally, Finally French." This time around there were fewer out-loud guffaws and more of a ruminative tone. It is, after all, 30 years since his purchase of the home in Plobien and as he writes (I paraphrase), he is slowing down even while time is speeding up. Still, I enjoyed the book as it more detailed the nuts and bolts of leading the expat life: The coming and going, and all the details and processes involved. A lot!
Some folks see the second home overseas as all glamour and ease, but Greenside makes clear the difficulties, challenges, and joys. There are almost nonstop aggravations with internet service, but then the incredible kindness of neighbors and friends. His accounting of the differences between France and the U.S. (and their peoples) are often spot-on, amusing, and thought-provoking.
I'm still a francophile with a dream of living in France, but now feel a lot more realistic about it. Merci Monsier Greenseed.
November 21, 2025
I’ve been looking forward to I Am Finally, Finally French since I pre-ordered it last summer. For me, reading Mark Greenside’s books is like unexpectedly running into an old friend, the kind you’re genuinely happy to see, and then spending hours catching up over a bottle of wine while he tells you about the latest escapades in his tiny Breton village. His stories feel familiar, his neighbors become “your” neighbors, and you can’t help wishing you could spend time in the yard sharing apéritifs with them.
What I love most is Mr. Greenside’s ability to paint scenes so clearly you feel you’re living them: the markets, the mishaps, the misunderstandings, and the uniquely charming culture of Brittany. I’ve laughed out loud through all three books because when he trips over cultural expectations or French bureaucracy, it’s hilarious. (If it were me, probably less hilarious… but Mark’s self-deprecating honesty makes even the disasters amusing.)
I read the first two books at least three times each, and this third book will absolutely get the same treatment. It’s warm, funny, surprisingly touching, and beautifully celebrates all the people who shaped his unexpected life in Brittany.
Thank you, Mr. Greenside, for bringing us along on the adventure.
What I love most is Mr. Greenside’s ability to paint scenes so clearly you feel you’re living them: the markets, the mishaps, the misunderstandings, and the uniquely charming culture of Brittany. I’ve laughed out loud through all three books because when he trips over cultural expectations or French bureaucracy, it’s hilarious. (If it were me, probably less hilarious… but Mark’s self-deprecating honesty makes even the disasters amusing.)
I read the first two books at least three times each, and this third book will absolutely get the same treatment. It’s warm, funny, surprisingly touching, and beautifully celebrates all the people who shaped his unexpected life in Brittany.
Thank you, Mr. Greenside, for bringing us along on the adventure.
December 2, 2025
I am Finally Finally French is a delightful account of Mark Greenside’s unusual and fascinating residence in a small town in Brittany, France. Without speaking French, he makes a quick decision to purchase an older home in a small town after having spent some time there while he visited the surrounding area. The stories of how he adjusted to life in France for a few months each year for 30 years provide humor and an understanding of how differently things work in France. When telling these stories, he doesn’t hesitate to reveal the challenges in making a life there, often showing himself as inept especially in the language which he persisted in speaking even though he knew he was not proficient in its grammar or structure. He obviously made his way successfully all of these years due to his charm and good nature in order to make good friends who were eager to help him in the various difficulties he encountered. The local people in his dramas are described thoughtfully and give the reader a good idea of their personalities and qualities as they change over the years.
Of great interest are the many forays into gastronomy and the vivid description of a multi
day wedding celebration which took place in two chateaux. I am eager to read his adventures in the first two books.
Of great interest are the many forays into gastronomy and the vivid description of a multi
day wedding celebration which took place in two chateaux. I am eager to read his adventures in the first two books.
August 30, 2025
For better or worse, I found myself comparing this book to "A Year in Provence." I think that's almost inevitable, if you've read the latter. While "I Am Finally, Finally French" (IAFFF) is set in a completely different part of France, the concept is very much the same. An English-speaking foreigner buys a house in France and has to deal with so much that's different about life in France versus his home country.
IAFFF is a bit more disjointed than Peter Mayle's book. It has its charm, and if you've spent time in France, you may recognize some of the challenges involved with navigating the way the French approach various tasks in life. Mark Greenside kvetches a lot, and his observations in the book seem to wander. Even so, I enjoyed IAFFF.
If anything, anyone reading this book and not knowing the title would be forgiven for thinking, "this guy is NEVER going to fit in in France." The book is mostly about his poor grasp of the French language and his battles to get things done in a foreign land. Even so, it's pretty good and a nice escape.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.
IAFFF is a bit more disjointed than Peter Mayle's book. It has its charm, and if you've spent time in France, you may recognize some of the challenges involved with navigating the way the French approach various tasks in life. Mark Greenside kvetches a lot, and his observations in the book seem to wander. Even so, I enjoyed IAFFF.
If anything, anyone reading this book and not knowing the title would be forgiven for thinking, "this guy is NEVER going to fit in in France." The book is mostly about his poor grasp of the French language and his battles to get things done in a foreign land. Even so, it's pretty good and a nice escape.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.
December 13, 2025
Like author Mark Greenside, I am a New Yorker by birth, but as an adult am a self-professed francophile and aspiring francophone (lover of France and speaker of French). My ability to navigate speaking French may be more facile that of Mr. Greenfield (having read all his books, I feel like he is a friend I could call "Mark"!), but no one can better capture the feeling of being immersed in French culture, which he does with both the objectivity of an foreigner and the warm subjectivity of someone who has embraced life in France and in turn has been welcomed by his neighbors.
Each chapter is a little story unto itself, with each narrative seamlessly weaving the warp of astute observations with the weft of Mark's deliciously ironic humor. Quel plaisir-- what a pleasure! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all of the book in the Greenside series and absolutely recommend the current book and all of the previous.
My only concern is that "I am Finally, Finally French" ends on a delicately elegiac note that I fear indicates that this book will be the last. J'espere que non! I hope not!
Merci, Mark Greenside, for sharing your personal journeys with all of us.
Each chapter is a little story unto itself, with each narrative seamlessly weaving the warp of astute observations with the weft of Mark's deliciously ironic humor. Quel plaisir-- what a pleasure! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all of the book in the Greenside series and absolutely recommend the current book and all of the previous.
My only concern is that "I am Finally, Finally French" ends on a delicately elegiac note that I fear indicates that this book will be the last. J'espere que non! I hope not!
Merci, Mark Greenside, for sharing your personal journeys with all of us.
December 19, 2025
"I Am Finally, Finally French" is a charming, thoughtful book that captures what it really means to cross not just borders, but identities. With humor and honesty, the author explores the long, often winding journey toward belonging—one marked by language mishaps, cultural insights, bureaucratic absurdities, and understanding.
What makes this book especially compelling is its balance of levity and depth. The writing is accessible and engaging, yet it never trivializes the emotional complexity of becoming "at home" in another country. The author’s observations about French culture are authentic rather than cliché, insightful without being formulaic. You'll laugh, reflect, and occasionally wince in recognition.
At its heart, this is not just a story about becoming French; it’s about patience, persistence, and the quiet transformations that happen when you commit yourself fully to a place and a way of life. Anyone who has lived abroad, navigated questions of identity, or wondered where they truly belong will find this book resonant and a very enjoyable and easy read.
What makes this book especially compelling is its balance of levity and depth. The writing is accessible and engaging, yet it never trivializes the emotional complexity of becoming "at home" in another country. The author’s observations about French culture are authentic rather than cliché, insightful without being formulaic. You'll laugh, reflect, and occasionally wince in recognition.
At its heart, this is not just a story about becoming French; it’s about patience, persistence, and the quiet transformations that happen when you commit yourself fully to a place and a way of life. Anyone who has lived abroad, navigated questions of identity, or wondered where they truly belong will find this book resonant and a very enjoyable and easy read.
September 9, 2025
If you need a quick read that will transport you to France, then this is your next read!
Mark Greenside took a leap of faith 30 years ago after a failed relationship and bought a farmhouse in the region of Brittany, France. This memoir details his experiences of being an expat in France.
I could sympathize with Mark as my husband and I, along with our two young kids at the time, have experienced being an expat in the Alpes-Maritimes region of France. It was like deja-vous as we encountered some of the same issues! I agree, having a group of French friends who could help you out, is essential while living in France! If you have ever dreamed of living in France, this book is a must-read! This would make a fun book club read as you could drink wine and indulge in French foods as you discuss!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Mark Greenside took a leap of faith 30 years ago after a failed relationship and bought a farmhouse in the region of Brittany, France. This memoir details his experiences of being an expat in France.
I could sympathize with Mark as my husband and I, along with our two young kids at the time, have experienced being an expat in the Alpes-Maritimes region of France. It was like deja-vous as we encountered some of the same issues! I agree, having a group of French friends who could help you out, is essential while living in France! If you have ever dreamed of living in France, this book is a must-read! This would make a fun book club read as you could drink wine and indulge in French foods as you discuss!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 28, 2025
A very lighthearted look at the joys of living in France, and being French. The writing is very conversational, and you can imagine yourself at a party listening to Mark's stories of life in France.
Mark lives 9 months of the year in San Francisco, and 3 months in a French village in Brittany.
This book chronicles his visits to his French village, with all the everyday niggles of things going wrong in his house, struggling to be understood, neighbour issues, frustrating bureaucracy, and lots more.
Plenty of moaning but with a light touch and acceptance that this is a foreign country to the author, with different ways of life to the USA. It is, in essence, a book written with love and understanding to France and the French people.
It's a light, warm and witty read. If you've ever lived in France, you'll understand and sympathise. If you want to live in France, it will give you an idea of what to expect in a French village, without ever putting you off.
Mark lives 9 months of the year in San Francisco, and 3 months in a French village in Brittany.
This book chronicles his visits to his French village, with all the everyday niggles of things going wrong in his house, struggling to be understood, neighbour issues, frustrating bureaucracy, and lots more.
Plenty of moaning but with a light touch and acceptance that this is a foreign country to the author, with different ways of life to the USA. It is, in essence, a book written with love and understanding to France and the French people.
It's a light, warm and witty read. If you've ever lived in France, you'll understand and sympathise. If you want to live in France, it will give you an idea of what to expect in a French village, without ever putting you off.
August 11, 2025
Another very funny book from Mark Greenside.
While his French has certainly improved since he first bought his house in Brittany (he no longer calls milk "jus de vache," or "cow juice,") Greenside still finds a way to mangle the language. Or as a friend tells him, "You speak a French that no one else in the world would recognize as French."
Despite this, he continues to live a charmed life, relying on the kindness of strangers and friends. His occasional misadventures continue, but more often he enjoys moments of grace, a life far different from that he lives in his other home in California.
I love Greenside's books not only for their humorous look at the quirks of the French as well as his own, but also for the way he describes how life in France has changed him. As a part-time expat in France myself, I find that he does an exceptional job of describing the beauty of life in that beautiful country.
While his French has certainly improved since he first bought his house in Brittany (he no longer calls milk "jus de vache," or "cow juice,") Greenside still finds a way to mangle the language. Or as a friend tells him, "You speak a French that no one else in the world would recognize as French."
Despite this, he continues to live a charmed life, relying on the kindness of strangers and friends. His occasional misadventures continue, but more often he enjoys moments of grace, a life far different from that he lives in his other home in California.
I love Greenside's books not only for their humorous look at the quirks of the French as well as his own, but also for the way he describes how life in France has changed him. As a part-time expat in France myself, I find that he does an exceptional job of describing the beauty of life in that beautiful country.
September 6, 2025
Can I start this review by saying that I love Mark? Now that I know this book is the third in his series about life in France, I feel the urge to rush out and read the first two.
As a French reader, discovering his perspective and his Breton adventures was an absolute delight. We rarely take a step back to notice what feels obvious to us as natives, but seeing it through the eyes of a foreigner often makes you question things you’ve simply accepted (I’m not at all thinking about the absurdity of his saga with the phone company…).
What a joy, too, to read about the solidarity and sense of community in his small Breton village, with all his friends helping him navigate the peculiarities and complications of French life. I thoroughly enjoyed Mark’s adventures, told with so much charm, humour, and with his (mostly successful) attempts at speaking French.
If you’re looking for a light yet insightful book about cultural quirks, belonging, and everyday absurdities, this one is a gem.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Skyhorse publishing for allowing me to review the ARC of this book.
As a French reader, discovering his perspective and his Breton adventures was an absolute delight. We rarely take a step back to notice what feels obvious to us as natives, but seeing it through the eyes of a foreigner often makes you question things you’ve simply accepted (I’m not at all thinking about the absurdity of his saga with the phone company…).
What a joy, too, to read about the solidarity and sense of community in his small Breton village, with all his friends helping him navigate the peculiarities and complications of French life. I thoroughly enjoyed Mark’s adventures, told with so much charm, humour, and with his (mostly successful) attempts at speaking French.
If you’re looking for a light yet insightful book about cultural quirks, belonging, and everyday absurdities, this one is a gem.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Skyhorse publishing for allowing me to review the ARC of this book.
December 5, 2025
Imagine buying a home in France, spending 30 years worth of summers and vacations there, and still feeling like you don't fit in. That's the premise of the author's book. He hilariously explains his journey, full of self deprecation and wit. From never quite getting the language down, to all the little things the French take for granted but are huge efforts for Greenside to complete, to the friendships he has made along the way. I loved the way he found the right person to complete whatever problem arose, to the way he interacted with his neighbors (or in one funny case, didn't). I would love to try the life style the author has undertaken in France, but I am way too much like him in language skills, and absolutely do not have the patience or grace that he (sometimes) uses. Better for all that I live vicariously through him! A good read!
December 15, 2025
I Am Finally, Finally French by Mark Greenside is a clever, engaging glimpse of his life-in-France and makes you feel like you're experiencing life right there with him. The book truly captures what it really feels like to navigate daily life abroad —grappling with language, culture, and the unexpected quirks of village life in Brittany vs. a city in the US. His ability to find laughter in the mundane and honest moments made this book so enjoyable. My favorite part that resonated even as someone who has only visited for a short time was when he writes, “In the US, I do. In France, I am,” a line that perfectly encapsulates the shift from life in the US to France. I read this book with the ATFrenchies French Club, starting with the 3rd book and now I’m definitely going back to read the first and second books in the series!
December 5, 2025
I loved I'LL NEVER BE FRENCH and so was eager to read I AM FINALLY, FINALLY FRENCH. I thoroughly enjoyed it and was delighted to be back in the folds of Brittany and Mark's beautiful house, with Mark as our guide. The marking of the passage of time since Mark's acquisition of The House, the changes even in changeless Brittany, are quite poignant, but Mark's sense of humor and his humanness carry the reader through tears and sadness to an appreciation of the moment, the preciousness of friends and community, a mindfulness of life in a much-loved house and small town. "Loss is not defeat... The point of living is to live." 'M. Greenseed' is indeed a funny man and a writer who is finally finally French.
December 10, 2025
I have been a fan of Mark Greenside since the first volume in the series, I'll Never Be French (no matter what I do). All three books have resonated with me not only for their humor and warmth, but also for their astute observations of the French and French life and manners. There are a lot of books in this genre -- "I went to France (Italy, Spain, England...), bought a dwelling and had adventures". But there are lessons to be drawn from those adventures which their authors rarely explore. Mark Greenside gives us a window into what he has learned from his experiences, and about what it means to be American, and an American in France. It is fun and funny, but also real and true. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
October 28, 2025
A fun read of living the life that most of us can only dream of having a second home in France and knowing a couple who live next to you and if they can’t fix what’s broken, they know someone who can and are willing to do this for you even after about thirty years of deciphering your blotched French. But, not to sound bitter, the joy he finds in being with people who have become close friends is charming, endearing, and brought a tear to my eyes as they spend the last week before returning to the States saying good by to their favorite people, places, and yes, food. Thanks to the author Mark Greenside, NetGalley, and Skyhorse Publishing for an ARC of this book. This is my honest review.
July 9, 2025
I haven't read anything else by this author; however, I do enjoy reading about how Americans fit in when they move to other countries.
In the beginning, Mark Greenside mentions one person he knows after another. Like I said, I had not read any other books so it was a bit too much for me. If like me, you find this overwhelming, stick with it. The stories you are waiting for are coming.
I give this 4 stars.
In the beginning, Mark Greenside mentions one person he knows after another. Like I said, I had not read any other books so it was a bit too much for me. If like me, you find this overwhelming, stick with it. The stories you are waiting for are coming.
I give this 4 stars.
October 1, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
I really enjoyed the adventures of Mark Greenside in France. The author’s stories of communicating in French were incredibly funny, and the ending hit a bittersweet note as he leaves his home in France at the end of summer. As someone who used to travel a lot, I found myself smiling and nodding at many of his stories. It was a bit of a slow start, but once I got into it, I enjoyed it quite a bit.
I really enjoyed the adventures of Mark Greenside in France. The author’s stories of communicating in French were incredibly funny, and the ending hit a bittersweet note as he leaves his home in France at the end of summer. As someone who used to travel a lot, I found myself smiling and nodding at many of his stories. It was a bit of a slow start, but once I got into it, I enjoyed it quite a bit.
October 20, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
Haven’t read the author’s other works but this was a nice glimpse of the life of an expat in France. Reminds me of Peter Mayle’s stories about Provence.
This book is humorous, relaxing and despite his struggles dealing with all things French and the French way, sounds pretty idyllic.
Hope to see more of his works.
Haven’t read the author’s other works but this was a nice glimpse of the life of an expat in France. Reminds me of Peter Mayle’s stories about Provence.
This book is humorous, relaxing and despite his struggles dealing with all things French and the French way, sounds pretty idyllic.
Hope to see more of his works.
December 14, 2025
As someone interested in living in France, I really enjoyed this description of life as a part time expat and owner of an old French home. I chuckled out loud at times, empathized and cringed at embarrassing moments, and fell in love with the inhabitants of Plobien in Brittany. Now I need to read the two previous books!
February 8, 2026
A very fun read, the mangled French syntax & vocabulary is hilarious! I enjoyed comparing Mark's experiences of Brittany & France with my own, because I've also been visiting France since the 1960s & have lived here full-time since 1978. I'm very impressed by his capacity to have enduring friendships in France; it's something I've never been good at, in either language.
July 10, 2025
I loved this book so much! I had read all of the Peter Mayle books, and have been so sad that they were finished. This was such a nice, weirdly comforting book in the Mayle style that definitely filled in that gap for me! I really enjoyed this book, and it had me cracking up! Great summer read!
December 25, 2025
I have enjoyed all three of Mark Greenside’s books about living in France. I have laughed out loud (literally!) all the way through his life in Brittany. As someone who is about to become an ex-pat, there is real, valuable and helpful (and hopeful) information in all the books.
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