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Fat Dogs and French Estates - Beyond the Forest Fringe
Beth, Jack, and their dogs navigate the laughter and chaos of rural French life from their woodland home at Le Palizac. But challenges emerge.
As they explore the forest’s untamed beauty, nature’s harsh realities test their goal to create a wildlife sanctuary.
Just as hope fades, an extraordinary creature appears – his courage and resilience become an inspiring testament to surviving the forest’s toughest conditions.
Part of the Fat Dogs and French Estates series, this warm, poignant memoir draws readers to the heart of the forest, where the bonds between humans and animals are tested, and transformed, in the wild.
“Warm, honest, and beautifully observed. This superbly compelling book will resonate with anyone who values deep connections between place, nature, and animals.” — Patrick Joseph, My French House
“Written in the same league as The Elephant Whisperer… I learned, I laughed and I wept, but above all, I was uplifted.” — Valerie Poore, author of the Living Aboard memoir series
“Exquisitely described, this feast of nature is a glorious addition to the Fat Dogs collection and will delight both long-time fans and new readers.” — Julie Haigh, Amazon and Goodreads reviewer
“This is a story that will draw you in, move you, and deepen your appreciation of nature… I felt as if I had walked the woodland tracks alongside the author.” — Kathryn Gauci, USA Today bestselling author
As they explore the forest’s untamed beauty, nature’s harsh realities test their goal to create a wildlife sanctuary.
Just as hope fades, an extraordinary creature appears – his courage and resilience become an inspiring testament to surviving the forest’s toughest conditions.
Part of the Fat Dogs and French Estates series, this warm, poignant memoir draws readers to the heart of the forest, where the bonds between humans and animals are tested, and transformed, in the wild.
“Warm, honest, and beautifully observed. This superbly compelling book will resonate with anyone who values deep connections between place, nature, and animals.” — Patrick Joseph, My French House
“Written in the same league as The Elephant Whisperer… I learned, I laughed and I wept, but above all, I was uplifted.” — Valerie Poore, author of the Living Aboard memoir series
“Exquisitely described, this feast of nature is a glorious addition to the Fat Dogs collection and will delight both long-time fans and new readers.” — Julie Haigh, Amazon and Goodreads reviewer
“This is a story that will draw you in, move you, and deepen your appreciation of nature… I felt as if I had walked the woodland tracks alongside the author.” — Kathryn Gauci, USA Today bestselling author
- GenresMemoir
351 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 21, 2026
52 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Beth Haslam
10 books62 followersBeth Haslam was brought up on a country estate in Wales. Deep in the countryside, her childhood was spent either on horseback, helping the gamekeepers raise pheasants, or out sailing. After a serious car crash in 1991, she set up her own consultancy business.
As semi-retirement beckoned, Beth and her husband, Jack, decided to buy a second home in France. This became a life-changing event where computers and mobile phones swapped places with understanding the foibles of the French, and tackling the language. Beth is now occupied as never before. Raising and saving animals, writing, and embracing everything that rural France has to offer; she’s loving it!
As semi-retirement beckoned, Beth and her husband, Jack, decided to buy a second home in France. This became a life-changing event where computers and mobile phones swapped places with understanding the foibles of the French, and tackling the language. Beth is now occupied as never before. Raising and saving animals, writing, and embracing everything that rural France has to offer; she’s loving it!
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 25, 2026
Beth writes wonderful, warm, amusing memoirs, and I've loved her books for many years. But this book is different, special. Animals always feature in Beth's books, and it's obvious that she has loved and cared for animals all her life. This book is dedicated to the animals in the Domaine in France where Beth and her husband Jack live. I enjoyed the beginning of the book which explained how they came to purchase Le Palizac: a nice refresher for fans, and a good introduction for new readers. The tales of the forest animals are delightful, and it's obvious how much both Beth and Jack care about them. Yes, crusty Jack shows his true colors in this book, as the animal lover he really is. Beth's prose is always descriptive, but she's on top form here with vivid, almost poetic descriptions of both fauna and flora. There are some poignant moments, which are so well-written, that I found myself in tears several times. You know how you really love some books, but occasionally a book comes along that you totally adore, and know you will remember and reread? This is one of those books. It is only January, but I know this is going to be one of (if not the) best books I will read this year. What a sheer delight it is. Thank you Beth, for sharing your forest with us. This is definitely the best book you have written.
January 29, 2026
I absolutely loved this latest Fat Dogs and French Estates memoir by Beth Haslam. It's a lovely addition to her FD series which focuses mainly on the incredible number of animals she and her husband Jack encounter on their Le Palizac Domaine. There's a recap on how they came to buy the property and of their attempts to breed and reintroduce certain bird species into the forest. It's a truly delightful read - Beth's descriptions are wonderful, so eloquent and vivid. It gives us a genuine insight into all the work that goes into looking after the forest and the effort it takes to ensure that the animals are protected as far as possible.
Over time Jack and Beth established an incredible and extraordinary relationship with one of the forest creatures. As guardians of their forest they must deal with both the pleasure and pain that can involve. Nature can be wondous but also savage.
I love the funny and affectionate tales of her countryside and neighbours. I also loved the little quotes at the start of each chapter and the beautiful little sketches. I also laughed and wept. As an avid 'looker upper’ I was happy to see that at the end there were links for more information. Bien joué Beth. This is a wonderful book.
Over time Jack and Beth established an incredible and extraordinary relationship with one of the forest creatures. As guardians of their forest they must deal with both the pleasure and pain that can involve. Nature can be wondous but also savage.
I love the funny and affectionate tales of her countryside and neighbours. I also loved the little quotes at the start of each chapter and the beautiful little sketches. I also laughed and wept. As an avid 'looker upper’ I was happy to see that at the end there were links for more information. Bien joué Beth. This is a wonderful book.
February 4, 2026
The books I have read in Beth Haslam’s Fat Dogs and French Estates Series are all delightfully charming, witty, and authentic. As soon as I open a page, I am lost in her magical worlds. Beyond the Forest Fringe is my absolute favorite! This memoir shares her (with her husband Jack) life and adventures living on their 342-acre estate, Le Palizac, in rural France. They didn’t initially intend to purchase a domain this size, but being the nature and animal lover she is, they both fell in love with the forest and woodlands filled with native species. Never having managed an estate this size with 300 year old historic structures needing renovation, a forest and woodlands to be maintained, and learning to understand the care and the nurturing needed for a healthy wildlife population to flourish, they were met with many challenges. A language barrier and lack of knowledge of the laws and customs in a foreign country added to the mix. Natures balance needed to be maintained. But this passionately determined and driven couple are not deterred, willing to go to great lengths to preserve and nurture their forest, land, and animals, no matter natures calamities. Storms, drought, disease, and flooding to name few. It takes hard work, long hours, perseverance, and flexibility.
Ms. Haslam is a brilliant writer and storyteller! I honestly don’t think I can find the words to do this book the justice it deserves. Her vivid descriptions of the lush forest and woodlands were exquisitely described.
“Other trails were covered by beech leaves, smooth and delicate with lacy edges, still retaining their polished copper sheen. And there were the show-offs. The palmate shape of sycamores, with their five distinct lobes and prominent veins.”
Her personification of the forest and animals is stunning and reflects her love and devotion.
“Horse chestnuts were overlaid with their great outstretched hands, some fingers still curled inwards in protection from the summer’s sun.”
Beth and Jack are a perfect balance to each other. Beth with her open-heart, compassion, can-do attitude, and giving personality, and Jack with his grumpy, practical approach and dry, sometimes sarcastic humor are wildly entertaining. They are people you would love to have as neighbors. The animals steal the show, from the lovable dogs to the wild boars. They are humanized in the most authentic ways, never losing their natural instincts. It is hard not to get attached to them. Tripod will live long in my heart.
I fell in love with this book. Beth Haslam gives you an intimate glance into the amazing and rewarding life she shares with Jack, her devoted pets, the forest and meadows they persevere, and the menagerie of wild animals they passionately nurture. I laughed. I cried. I was amazed. I was in awe. I didn’t want it to end.
Ms. Haslam is a brilliant writer and storyteller! I honestly don’t think I can find the words to do this book the justice it deserves. Her vivid descriptions of the lush forest and woodlands were exquisitely described.
“Other trails were covered by beech leaves, smooth and delicate with lacy edges, still retaining their polished copper sheen. And there were the show-offs. The palmate shape of sycamores, with their five distinct lobes and prominent veins.”
Her personification of the forest and animals is stunning and reflects her love and devotion.
“Horse chestnuts were overlaid with their great outstretched hands, some fingers still curled inwards in protection from the summer’s sun.”
Beth and Jack are a perfect balance to each other. Beth with her open-heart, compassion, can-do attitude, and giving personality, and Jack with his grumpy, practical approach and dry, sometimes sarcastic humor are wildly entertaining. They are people you would love to have as neighbors. The animals steal the show, from the lovable dogs to the wild boars. They are humanized in the most authentic ways, never losing their natural instincts. It is hard not to get attached to them. Tripod will live long in my heart.
I fell in love with this book. Beth Haslam gives you an intimate glance into the amazing and rewarding life she shares with Jack, her devoted pets, the forest and meadows they persevere, and the menagerie of wild animals they passionately nurture. I laughed. I cried. I was amazed. I was in awe. I didn’t want it to end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have read all Beth Haslam’s books and loved every one of them, so I was thrilled to be asked to beta read Beyond the Forest Fringe. However, to my mind, this latest in the Fat Dogs and French Estates series surpasses everything she written to date, because it seems to me that this book, more than any of her previous memoirs, is written straight from her heart.
With her deep-rooted and lifelong love of wildlife and animals, I believe Beth has written a masterpiece in the same league as The Elephant Whisperer. It is both superbly written and a perceptive exploration of the relationships we can build with our natural world and its inhabitants if only we take the time to nurture them.
Interspersed with these fascinating, inspiring observations, insights and information about the forest surrounding her home are Beth’s signature humorous anecdotes, her affectionate accounts of her grumpy husband’s testy behaviour and stories relating to her wonderful neighbours, but the forest and its inhabitants are the stars of this book, especially one of them. The unusual trust she and Jack build with this exceptional forest dweller gives me goosebumps even now. It’s hard to sum up such a special book but perhaps this says it: I learned, I laughed and I wept at the Haslams' experiences, but above all, I was uplifted
With her deep-rooted and lifelong love of wildlife and animals, I believe Beth has written a masterpiece in the same league as The Elephant Whisperer. It is both superbly written and a perceptive exploration of the relationships we can build with our natural world and its inhabitants if only we take the time to nurture them.
Interspersed with these fascinating, inspiring observations, insights and information about the forest surrounding her home are Beth’s signature humorous anecdotes, her affectionate accounts of her grumpy husband’s testy behaviour and stories relating to her wonderful neighbours, but the forest and its inhabitants are the stars of this book, especially one of them. The unusual trust she and Jack build with this exceptional forest dweller gives me goosebumps even now. It’s hard to sum up such a special book but perhaps this says it: I learned, I laughed and I wept at the Haslams' experiences, but above all, I was uplifted
Review of advance copy received from Author
An excellent addition to the series, a captivating volume.
This book is a companion volume to the author's Fat Dogs Series. Can be enjoyed to complement other books you've read in the series, can stand alone, or be read first if you haven't yet met Beth, Jack, and all their animal friends.
As always, beautiful presentation; the little sketches at chapter starts, and little drawings between scenes too. Beautiful description, her way with words! Just exquisite. Pure reading luxury.
When you get an author where you love their books, you just can't wait until their next one. But then, sometimes they 'branch-out' a bit; go a bit different to their normal chronological installments, and you think: But will I like this one? What if I don't? And of course, I LOVED it!
It was such a delight. A warm and wonderful read, and an absolute feast of nature. A celebration of the countryside and wildlife. A glorious reading experience, and a beautiful addition to the Fat Dogs collection.
There are new adventures, times happy and sad, background info, and extra stories. So many ups and downs, the joys, emotions, and highs and lows. Heartwarming tales, and some much harder to process. Nature, beautiful, and sometimes brutal. Sometimes emotional and moving. There's plenty to interest with a great variety of material in here.
If you love Beth Haslam's series of memoirs about life in France, here is a book which goes more in-depth about their surroundings. If you 'just want more of her books', you'll be delighted with it.
Having read Beth's previous books, I knew it'd be good-but this was even more delightful than I could ever have imagined.
This book is a companion volume to the author's Fat Dogs Series. Can be enjoyed to complement other books you've read in the series, can stand alone, or be read first if you haven't yet met Beth, Jack, and all their animal friends.
As always, beautiful presentation; the little sketches at chapter starts, and little drawings between scenes too. Beautiful description, her way with words! Just exquisite. Pure reading luxury.
When you get an author where you love their books, you just can't wait until their next one. But then, sometimes they 'branch-out' a bit; go a bit different to their normal chronological installments, and you think: But will I like this one? What if I don't? And of course, I LOVED it!
It was such a delight. A warm and wonderful read, and an absolute feast of nature. A celebration of the countryside and wildlife. A glorious reading experience, and a beautiful addition to the Fat Dogs collection.
There are new adventures, times happy and sad, background info, and extra stories. So many ups and downs, the joys, emotions, and highs and lows. Heartwarming tales, and some much harder to process. Nature, beautiful, and sometimes brutal. Sometimes emotional and moving. There's plenty to interest with a great variety of material in here.
If you love Beth Haslam's series of memoirs about life in France, here is a book which goes more in-depth about their surroundings. If you 'just want more of her books', you'll be delighted with it.
Having read Beth's previous books, I knew it'd be good-but this was even more delightful than I could ever have imagined.
February 7, 2026
In Fat Dogs and French Estates- Beyond the Forest Fringe, Author Beth Haslam creatively begins each chapter with a thoughtful quote as we revisit her French estate, Le Palizac. It's like a return to home for those who read the entire series; but here, she focuses more on the wonderful creatures in the forest on her estate. Her great descriptions offer readers the same birdseye view that she and husband Jack witnessed as they sat in their miradors. Then, enters the legendary Tripod, a three-legged boar with whom they spend many years. It is a memorable narrative that leaves readers thinking and reflecting on the beauty of nature!
February 1, 2026
Another exceptional book from Beth Haslam
In this season the author takes us close to the creatures that enrich the lives of Beth and Jack at their French estate. Told with insight and care, each species is brought to life and each story is a delight. As always I could not put the book down. Highly recommended!
In this season the author takes us close to the creatures that enrich the lives of Beth and Jack at their French estate. Told with insight and care, each species is brought to life and each story is a delight. As always I could not put the book down. Highly recommended!
January 22, 2026
I enjoyed this book, but felt there was a lot that had already been covered in previous books
Review of advance copy received from Author
Beta Read:
I was super excited to beta read this book, the latest from one of my favourite authors, Beth Haslam. What an absolute treat it was. Full of Beth's usual fun and enthusiasm.
This addition to her memoir series brings more focus to the land and animals - giving us more info about the wonderful menagerie Beth and her husband share their home and land with. Of course, there's poignancy - happiness and sadness - but, it's all told wonderfully. We are reintroduced to Beth & Jack's brilliant hoard of neighbours - hilarious.
Loved it.
I was super excited to beta read this book, the latest from one of my favourite authors, Beth Haslam. What an absolute treat it was. Full of Beth's usual fun and enthusiasm.
This addition to her memoir series brings more focus to the land and animals - giving us more info about the wonderful menagerie Beth and her husband share their home and land with. Of course, there's poignancy - happiness and sadness - but, it's all told wonderfully. We are reintroduced to Beth & Jack's brilliant hoard of neighbours - hilarious.
Loved it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews