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C'est La Folie : Oneman's Quest for a More Meaningful Life
In 2004, Michael Wright turned his back on Blighty to begin a new life as the owner of a dilapidated 15th century farmhouse called "La Folie". This is a comic memoir about a clinically social bloke rejecting the world of parties and attempting to learn how to become an old-fashioned man.
Hardcover
First published July 25, 2006
About the author
Michael Wright
2 books4 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
May 23, 2014
So Michael Wright gave up his "life" to move to France, hmm this sounds familiar.
Ok, ok, so at age 50 I had a mad fit (middle aged crisis maybe) and bought a French farmhouse in a village of just 12 houses in the middle of nowhere in southern France. I didn't have a piano like Michael but I did have or quickly acquired anyway, four French farm cats to keep me company until the family arrived.
So I do believe I am uniquely qualified to pass judgement on Michael's novel, given my history. Well without giving away any of the numerous amusing anecdotes, and believe me I have enough hilarious anecdotes myself to write my own book, this book is well written and easy to relate to. Anyone who has ever been to a French village will find this familiar, funny, poignant and handy ( should you ever have any urge to live in a foreign country ), and worth spending the few hours it takes to read.
Oh and I also bought myself a sports car ha ha.
And so continues my task to write a review for any book that I have read since being on GR and for which I didn't initially write a review.
Ok, ok, so at age 50 I had a mad fit (middle aged crisis maybe) and bought a French farmhouse in a village of just 12 houses in the middle of nowhere in southern France. I didn't have a piano like Michael but I did have or quickly acquired anyway, four French farm cats to keep me company until the family arrived.
So I do believe I am uniquely qualified to pass judgement on Michael's novel, given my history. Well without giving away any of the numerous amusing anecdotes, and believe me I have enough hilarious anecdotes myself to write my own book, this book is well written and easy to relate to. Anyone who has ever been to a French village will find this familiar, funny, poignant and handy ( should you ever have any urge to live in a foreign country ), and worth spending the few hours it takes to read.
Oh and I also bought myself a sports car ha ha.
And so continues my task to write a review for any book that I have read since being on GR and for which I didn't initially write a review.
June 19, 2009
I really wanted to dislike this book: it's written in the first person present tense, with details of animal husbandry and home renovation aplenty - yawn. Now that I've finished, I'd call it a darned good read (perhaps just a tad long).
Strongest point would be his self-effacing humor, always at just the right level, and not overworked in quantity. Wright does come across as a bit of an overachiever (with his piloting, piano playing, etc.), but that's just who he is I finally decided. French locals are distinctive, without being cartoonish, though he's a bit tough on other ex-pat Brits - I found his forcing them to struggle with speaking French in asking for directions and such a bit mean.
Definitely recommended, as it's well-written and funny - I'm giving it somewhat lower stars than it may have deserved as I just couldn't identify with the author, especially the animal husbandry episodes, which dragged for me a bit at times.
Strongest point would be his self-effacing humor, always at just the right level, and not overworked in quantity. Wright does come across as a bit of an overachiever (with his piloting, piano playing, etc.), but that's just who he is I finally decided. French locals are distinctive, without being cartoonish, though he's a bit tough on other ex-pat Brits - I found his forcing them to struggle with speaking French in asking for directions and such a bit mean.
Definitely recommended, as it's well-written and funny - I'm giving it somewhat lower stars than it may have deserved as I just couldn't identify with the author, especially the animal husbandry episodes, which dragged for me a bit at times.
January 2, 2025
Perhaps the reason I enjoyed this book so much is because I yearn to be in Michael Wright’s shoes. I found this book so funny in parts that I laughed out loud; sad in other parts that it really made me feel for the author. I didn’t find it too difficult putting myself in the writer’s place as I hail from very close to East Dulwich and my experiences growing up in this era were not dissimilar to those described by Michael. I love France more each time I visit and really wish I had copied him by taking the plunge of embarking on such an adventure. My wife rightly tells me that I’m too old to be taking on such a challenge but the dream of overcoming the types of obstacles described in the book gives me such a warm feeling inside. I would find it so interesting spending time with the author talking about the various adventures experienced in the transition moving from England to France.
I accept that some readers who cannot harmonise with the feelings of the author might not find the book as rewarding, but for me this has been a heart warming read. I want to read the sequel as quickly as possible and would even be keen to visit the area that the adventure was set in. I have a good friend who moved to France four years ago. I hope he might purchase the book if he hasn’t read it already as I would really like him to compare his experiences with the author.
This has been one of the most enjoyable and satisfying reads I have undertaken for a long time.
I accept that some readers who cannot harmonise with the feelings of the author might not find the book as rewarding, but for me this has been a heart warming read. I want to read the sequel as quickly as possible and would even be keen to visit the area that the adventure was set in. I have a good friend who moved to France four years ago. I hope he might purchase the book if he hasn’t read it already as I would really like him to compare his experiences with the author.
This has been one of the most enjoyable and satisfying reads I have undertaken for a long time.
August 23, 2009
*update*
Just reread this lovely volume. The below musings were from 2009. I loved every second of my experience with Michael Wright. Such an enchanting read!
This is possibly one of the loveliest travel stories I have ever read. Michael's bold and exciting decision to move to rural France and the events that follow there after makes for a compelling and memorable read. The turn of each page was a new kind of joy.
Mr Wrights prose left me quite in love with the idea of country life. Although one of the best things I found about this book is the fact that after turning the final page (which left me with a sense of loss I haven't felt from a book in a long time) I decided to look at the website only to find that Michael's journey is to be continued in a sequel due for publication next July. Sincerely can't wait for more. Would recommend to anyone.
Just reread this lovely volume. The below musings were from 2009. I loved every second of my experience with Michael Wright. Such an enchanting read!
This is possibly one of the loveliest travel stories I have ever read. Michael's bold and exciting decision to move to rural France and the events that follow there after makes for a compelling and memorable read. The turn of each page was a new kind of joy.
Mr Wrights prose left me quite in love with the idea of country life. Although one of the best things I found about this book is the fact that after turning the final page (which left me with a sense of loss I haven't felt from a book in a long time) I decided to look at the website only to find that Michael's journey is to be continued in a sequel due for publication next July. Sincerely can't wait for more. Would recommend to anyone.
October 7, 2022
3.75 stars
One of the eternal questions is: What is a good life? Or, slightly differently, what is THE good life?
In the first chapter of this memoir, Wright describes himself as a theatre critic living the all-amenities urban life in London. By his own description, he is a cerebral (perhaps a bit geeky) but soft-handed modern man. “My Surrey childhood was as safe and soft as a padded cell in an open prison.” He is 38, recently split from a long term partner, and more than a bit bored of reviewing yet another Shakespeare production. A long-term train spotter with a romantic streak, he dreams of flying Spitfires and does have a 1946 Luscombe Silvaire of his own. That plane is a bit of ‘tell’, as it reveals to the reader that Michael Wright is not as bland as his self-deprecating self-analysis would suggest. By his own admission, he has always idolised heroes and longed to be one himself. But how does a man become heroic, if only in his own eyes, in peacetime conditions? Obviously, he sets himself a challenge - one beset with discomforts. He decides to buy a large wreck of a house in the French countryside and the proceeds to make a life there with only a cat for a companion.
This memoir will mostly appeal to people who have either (1) just renovated a house in the French countryside, or (2) dream of doing so. I am in the first category, and although I do not have plans to raise sheep or chickens (as the author does), I could certainly recognise many aspects of Michael Wright’s Englishman Abroad experience. This book was published in 2006, so for those Brits in this post-BREXIT world, it has already taken on the nostalgic tone of a lost world of possibilities.
Predictably, but enjoyably, the book is made up of vignettes which have the author either ‘roughing it’ or learning the cultural ways of his new community. He is good at describing the richly eccentric personalities of his French friends and neighbours without falling into cliche or caricature. Although he is not successful at finding a French female partner - at least within the confines of this book - he does share how he becomes part of the community. One of the things I really noticed is that his friendships encompass a wide range of ages and social classes, which seems more possible in a French village than it does in a big city like London. There is also a lot of emphasis on his relationship with the animals he brings into the La Folie fold, and that definitely gives the book a bucolic flavour which chimed with Clarkson’s Farm (a TV programme I was watching at the time).
It’s an enjoyable and good-natured book, but probably easier to enjoy if its themes have some personal relevance. I liked it a lot, but I wouldn’t describe it as a page-turner.
One of the eternal questions is: What is a good life? Or, slightly differently, what is THE good life?
In the first chapter of this memoir, Wright describes himself as a theatre critic living the all-amenities urban life in London. By his own description, he is a cerebral (perhaps a bit geeky) but soft-handed modern man. “My Surrey childhood was as safe and soft as a padded cell in an open prison.” He is 38, recently split from a long term partner, and more than a bit bored of reviewing yet another Shakespeare production. A long-term train spotter with a romantic streak, he dreams of flying Spitfires and does have a 1946 Luscombe Silvaire of his own. That plane is a bit of ‘tell’, as it reveals to the reader that Michael Wright is not as bland as his self-deprecating self-analysis would suggest. By his own admission, he has always idolised heroes and longed to be one himself. But how does a man become heroic, if only in his own eyes, in peacetime conditions? Obviously, he sets himself a challenge - one beset with discomforts. He decides to buy a large wreck of a house in the French countryside and the proceeds to make a life there with only a cat for a companion.
This memoir will mostly appeal to people who have either (1) just renovated a house in the French countryside, or (2) dream of doing so. I am in the first category, and although I do not have plans to raise sheep or chickens (as the author does), I could certainly recognise many aspects of Michael Wright’s Englishman Abroad experience. This book was published in 2006, so for those Brits in this post-BREXIT world, it has already taken on the nostalgic tone of a lost world of possibilities.
Predictably, but enjoyably, the book is made up of vignettes which have the author either ‘roughing it’ or learning the cultural ways of his new community. He is good at describing the richly eccentric personalities of his French friends and neighbours without falling into cliche or caricature. Although he is not successful at finding a French female partner - at least within the confines of this book - he does share how he becomes part of the community. One of the things I really noticed is that his friendships encompass a wide range of ages and social classes, which seems more possible in a French village than it does in a big city like London. There is also a lot of emphasis on his relationship with the animals he brings into the La Folie fold, and that definitely gives the book a bucolic flavour which chimed with Clarkson’s Farm (a TV programme I was watching at the time).
It’s an enjoyable and good-natured book, but probably easier to enjoy if its themes have some personal relevance. I liked it a lot, but I wouldn’t describe it as a page-turner.
October 21, 2010
Well, I would say that Michael Wright is back in all his glory, because for me he is. But given that this is actually his first book about his life at La Folie, and the first book I read was the second, technically he's not back.
With all of the same places and characters I grew to love in Je T'aime A La Folie (check out Brizmus Blogs Books for my review!), it certainly felt like I was thrown back into a world that I had already grown to love.
C'est La Folie is the endearing story of a man who, on what seems like a whim, decides to move to the middle of nowhere France. He's looking for adventure, and he's on a quest to become a hero, even though it seems to me he's already somewhat of a hero. I guess it just depends on your definition of hero. If you have any interest in life in France, with a little bit of humour and a lot of heart, this is the perfect book for you!
Oddly enough, the bulk of this book actually seems to be about the renovations of his home and the raising of his animals, which in and of itself doesn't sound all that appealing. And yet - he has laced each and every fabulous tale that he has to tell (don't go thinking from that statement that this book reads like a book of short stories - it so doesn't; it is a strong, full-fledged novel) with just enough humour and self-mockery so as to make nearly passage laugh out loud funny. Or, at the very least, lamentably painful, as the reader can so easily relate to some of his horror stories. It was great for me to get to know some of the characters from the first book as Michael saw them when he originally met them. And, though I didn't think it possible, I found myself even more attached to his wonderful sheep and chickens!
Michael's writing is fluid, endearing, enjoyable, and, did I mention, FUNNY! After living in France for three years, I really thought there was nothing that could make me want to move back, but this wonderful travel story has me craving to live somewhere in "deepest, darkest France." I'm now convinced that it really must have just been Paris.
The only real problem that I had with this book was the somewhat vivid descriptions of animal husbandry and animal killing (okay, so the killing descriptions weren't really THAT vivid, but they were still too vivid for me). I really would have rathered NOT know that he killed chickens, etc. . . The book would have been wonderful and the perfect length if he had just left those parts out.
Anyhow, wonderful and wonderfully endearing travel memoir, and it comes heartily recommended here at Brizmus Blogs Books. If you have any interest in France, read this book, and I promise, you won't be disappointed!
With all of the same places and characters I grew to love in Je T'aime A La Folie (check out Brizmus Blogs Books for my review!), it certainly felt like I was thrown back into a world that I had already grown to love.
C'est La Folie is the endearing story of a man who, on what seems like a whim, decides to move to the middle of nowhere France. He's looking for adventure, and he's on a quest to become a hero, even though it seems to me he's already somewhat of a hero. I guess it just depends on your definition of hero. If you have any interest in life in France, with a little bit of humour and a lot of heart, this is the perfect book for you!
Oddly enough, the bulk of this book actually seems to be about the renovations of his home and the raising of his animals, which in and of itself doesn't sound all that appealing. And yet - he has laced each and every fabulous tale that he has to tell (don't go thinking from that statement that this book reads like a book of short stories - it so doesn't; it is a strong, full-fledged novel) with just enough humour and self-mockery so as to make nearly passage laugh out loud funny. Or, at the very least, lamentably painful, as the reader can so easily relate to some of his horror stories. It was great for me to get to know some of the characters from the first book as Michael saw them when he originally met them. And, though I didn't think it possible, I found myself even more attached to his wonderful sheep and chickens!
Michael's writing is fluid, endearing, enjoyable, and, did I mention, FUNNY! After living in France for three years, I really thought there was nothing that could make me want to move back, but this wonderful travel story has me craving to live somewhere in "deepest, darkest France." I'm now convinced that it really must have just been Paris.
The only real problem that I had with this book was the somewhat vivid descriptions of animal husbandry and animal killing (okay, so the killing descriptions weren't really THAT vivid, but they were still too vivid for me). I really would have rathered NOT know that he killed chickens, etc. . . The book would have been wonderful and the perfect length if he had just left those parts out.
Anyhow, wonderful and wonderfully endearing travel memoir, and it comes heartily recommended here at Brizmus Blogs Books. If you have any interest in France, read this book, and I promise, you won't be disappointed!
January 29, 2018
Quite a nice little read but for me it just lacked a little drama. It just didn't have me enthralled or make me want to read more. I did enjoy reading about the settings and the various characters including the animal personalities. Bit it almost seemed too easy. He didn't have to ever work in paid employment, he had a cleaner. I felt he used every opportunity to push his own barrow about how clever he was. He was an amazing piano player, he was a pilot of vintage aircraft, he could speak French better than any other Brit. It was just all a bit public schoolboyish for me. He was very scathing of other Brits who weren't anywhere near as good as him at French (probably because they hadn't had the same level of education) and he painted them all as commoners. The writing smacked of elitism but maybe that's just me being a commoner. It did really want me to go over there and check out the area and his writing style was enjoyable.
January 29, 2019
I got so bored by this book and could not finish it...
August 26, 2021
Such a nice light-hearted read. A very wholesome story intertwined with a lot of clever humour. Would recommend.
July 9, 2022
Shirking what appears to have been a comfortable existence in Britain, (he plays tennis and piano - though not at the same time and owns and pilots a plane) Michael heads off to France seeking adventure. As with all books of this ilk it’s the indomitable spirit of facing the adversity of taking on a new language, embracing a new culture and building a new home and caring for livestock that I find so inspiring. Even after sharing his hardships, (mostly relating to the interminable wait for workmen and the painful circle of life) he still makes it all sound so irresistibly idyllic, which I guess is why so many have made the transition (and written successfully about it) - not that I’d ever attempt it.
April 15, 2026
My first book of 2026 and it tells the story of an Englishman who decides to give up the rat race and move to France. I’m a confirmed Francophile so the fact that this book is peppered with French sayings, descriptions of beautiful aspects of French life and gives a real feel for the developing life of the author in a completely new country, enthralled me.
There is a lot of raw humour in this book and some nostalgia when the author writes about his childhood and his relationship with his parents.
If you like anything remotely connected to France, this is a must read!
There is a lot of raw humour in this book and some nostalgia when the author writes about his childhood and his relationship with his parents.
If you like anything remotely connected to France, this is a must read!
January 9, 2020
Wonderful, Funny & Sad
Would recommend this book, I found the author gave a honest account of himself and the start of his life in France, he made me laugh, cry and I sometimes found myself reading with one eye closed with the other in a squint. If I ever find myself following his footsteps it will be in the company of a very large cat.
Would recommend this book, I found the author gave a honest account of himself and the start of his life in France, he made me laugh, cry and I sometimes found myself reading with one eye closed with the other in a squint. If I ever find myself following his footsteps it will be in the company of a very large cat.
July 18, 2021
This book was a good read. Based on a true story about a 38 year old townie from London who buys a farmhouse in rural France and moves there with his cat to encounter rural life in a delapilated house to raise chickens and sheep. A very witty writer with lots of laugh out loud moments throughout the book!!!
August 18, 2024
At first I thought it was yet another "English man buys dilapidated French farmhouse "and was expecting tales of woe with difficult french tradesmen. But this one isn't. It's quite heartwarming as the author tries to integrate and does so through his animals and his aeroplane. Some laugh out moments.
September 1, 2025
Being a Francophile, I spotted this book at the senior center and I am so glad I took it home. This is a delightful story about Michael moving to Jolibois, France, buying an old house, taking on chickens and sheep. It is very much like A year in Provence. Some parts are quite serious and others are just laugh out loud. C'est tres bon. Je t'adore.
July 5, 2026
A delightful story … reminiscent of Under The Tuscan Sun.
Although I enjoyed it, I did find it was just a tad too long in the tooth.
Having spent time in a beautiful, but old, farmhouse in the French countryside, last Spring, I especially enjoyed Michael Wright’s account of his Folie.
Three and a half stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️1/2
Although I enjoyed it, I did find it was just a tad too long in the tooth.
Having spent time in a beautiful, but old, farmhouse in the French countryside, last Spring, I especially enjoyed Michael Wright’s account of his Folie.
Three and a half stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️1/2
April 28, 2020
Such a delightful read it is. Funny at times . Takes you to a typical rural setting of France, its people. You'll be glued to the book of you love rural life, countryside, and a good deal about sheeps, hens etc.
June 30, 2020
Couldnt identify with this guy at all. Worst book ive read this year. Couldnt tell if i was reading a story from a 40 yr old or 80yr old. Very self indulgent. No stories of any real interest and seemed to use the book to show the reader what an extensive vocabulary he had. Total bore-fest.
August 14, 2025
It took me longer to read than it should, but loved every word of it. Maybe it has a little to do with it being our holiday destination soon, but it was beautifully crafted and I can’t think of anything included that didn’t add a huge something to the tale.
Can’t wait to find the next one!
Can’t wait to find the next one!
February 18, 2019
Really enjoyable and well-written.
April 27, 2019
Non-fiction...I actually read one ;) I enjoyed this story of one man's search for a meaningful life in rural France.
February 19, 2021
Very funny! A must-read for British expats living in France.
June 16, 2022
Fabulous.
December 6, 2022
Enjoyable if lightweight book. A bit too similar in style to Peter Mayle's books to be truly memorable but characters well fleshed out. Some amusing episodes described along with a touch of pathos.
January 25, 2023
Really wanted to read this, and I did love some aspects of it however I found many aspects very boring and a lot of it dragged on.the cover is the cutest book cover I own tho slay
January 24, 2025
An Englishman's odyssey into the French countryside to learn about living closer to nature, heroism and himself.
August 10, 2024
An enjoyable read which made me chuckle. Michael’s descriptions of his experiences were honest and illuminating and took me to Joliebois with him.
May 16, 2013
This is the first book in the French adventures of Michael Wright who wanted to escape from the comforts of his life in London and move to France `to be brave and become a hero'. The book is an easy and engaging read as he takes us with him on the house hunting, preparations and the all-important settling in stages of his new life in France.
I think he was actually braver than he thought. As well as throwing himself into a move abroad alone (except for his cat), he is also a pilot (very brave) and flies an old Luscombe plane which he wanted to bring to France too. This led him into integrating in his new community in rather a different way to most of us expats as he had to find his way to being accepted with the club at the local light aircraft hanger. As a man of music rather than religion he also found himself volunteering to play the organ at the local church despite not being `one of them'. But topping the bravery list had to be inviting his French friends over to sample his best bachelor English cuisine. Chapeau Michael, you certainly provided lots of entertainment for the reader.
Getting to grips with the dirt of rural living was important to him too and he makes a great friend of a local farmer who is always on hand to help out a city man gone rural. He also writes with great affection for his new companions to his French life, his flock of miniature black sheep and his chickens. He is however missing one major thing in his life, his significant other, his soul mate, someone to share his wonderful view over the Limousin countryside. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read his next instalment Je t'aime à la Folie
I think he was actually braver than he thought. As well as throwing himself into a move abroad alone (except for his cat), he is also a pilot (very brave) and flies an old Luscombe plane which he wanted to bring to France too. This led him into integrating in his new community in rather a different way to most of us expats as he had to find his way to being accepted with the club at the local light aircraft hanger. As a man of music rather than religion he also found himself volunteering to play the organ at the local church despite not being `one of them'. But topping the bravery list had to be inviting his French friends over to sample his best bachelor English cuisine. Chapeau Michael, you certainly provided lots of entertainment for the reader.
Getting to grips with the dirt of rural living was important to him too and he makes a great friend of a local farmer who is always on hand to help out a city man gone rural. He also writes with great affection for his new companions to his French life, his flock of miniature black sheep and his chickens. He is however missing one major thing in his life, his significant other, his soul mate, someone to share his wonderful view over the Limousin countryside. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read his next instalment Je t'aime à la Folie
April 29, 2008
I stumbled onto C'est la Folie from Amazon's "Customers who bought this item also bought" function. It's not available in the US, but was pretty cheap coming used from the UK, anyway... This is the story of Michael Wright, as he gives up his London life to move, alone, to a house in the middle of France. He does this simply to bring a change, some adventure, a breath of fresh air to his life. He is slowly accepted by and integrated into the community, as he begins to play the organ at the local church, joins the tennis club and moves his vintage plane down from England. The best descriptions of his life, though, come when talking about his animals. He has a cat and a few fish, but also collects a few chickens and some Ouessants, a kind of dwarf sheep. I really liked his voice in this, and it sounds from his website like there may be a sequel some day. I'll make an effort to find it...
July 4, 2013
I thought that this book was thoroughly capturing; whisked it another life of risk and pnomethen evolution. This book eases, nay sheds your everyday stress into a blissful tale of; well in Michael's own words 'Adventure'. But, takes a little further, bringing the dreams, mindset and naivety of youth to reflect into adult life. This gives to self reflection, remembering my own youth, views of the world and hopes to come.
I can honestly say that this book is an essential read, teaching us that there is more to the world than our bubble. I am onto the second book now. One quote Did make me chuckle 'I have been extremely successful at the getting-older part. The getting-wiser part is proving tougher to achieve'.
I can honestly say that this book is an essential read, teaching us that there is more to the world than our bubble. I am onto the second book now. One quote Did make me chuckle 'I have been extremely successful at the getting-older part. The getting-wiser part is proving tougher to achieve'.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews