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VIVE LA DIFFERENCE: A FRENCHMAN'S PERSPECTIVE ON AMERICAN WOMEN, LOVE, RESPECT AND RELATIONSHIPS
VIVE LA DIFFERENCE has given voice to American women who have traded their professional and financial opportunities for unsatisfying relationships. Guy highlights and encourages women to reclaim the honor that they have relinquished. What is love without respect? Is it even love? His honest observation makes an American woman want to move to France.
169 pages, Paperback
First published December 17, 2019
9 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Guy Blaise
18 books9 followersGuy Blaise is an author and Frenchman living and working in America. Previously, he lived in eastern France and Paris, where he witnessed the dating experiences of the strong women in his family and listened closely to his grandmother’s advice about love. After two decades of living between France and the United States—and being struck by the differences between two cultures’ approaches to romance and sex—Guy began writing books offering his insights and started The French Perspective blog.
His previous books include Love Like the French: A Guide to Better Romance and Relationships; Vive la Difference: A Frenchman’s Perspective on American Women, Love, Respect, and Relationships; Negrophobia; and Dieu Aussi se Plaindrait aux Etats-Unis.
Father to four daughters and a son, Guy enjoys spending time with his family, reading about anthropology, and performing martial arts. He is a third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and has blue belts in karate and hapkido. Guy currently lives in North Carolina.
Learn more at www.thefrenchperspective.com.
His previous books include Love Like the French: A Guide to Better Romance and Relationships; Vive la Difference: A Frenchman’s Perspective on American Women, Love, Respect, and Relationships; Negrophobia; and Dieu Aussi se Plaindrait aux Etats-Unis.
Father to four daughters and a son, Guy enjoys spending time with his family, reading about anthropology, and performing martial arts. He is a third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and has blue belts in karate and hapkido. Guy currently lives in North Carolina.
Learn more at www.thefrenchperspective.com.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 23, 2020
*I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley and the publishers.*
Full disclosure: I am neither French nor American, so I don't have firsthand experience of what the author discusses. However, I am quite up-to-date on American feminist issues, and consider myself a reasonably well-informed feminist. I was intrigued by the premise of the book, and the chapter titles seemed quite promising. Indeed, it does offer insight into issues such as men's perspective on women in the US. I also enjoyed the French sayings (liberally) sprinkled throughout.
However, when I got into it, I realised that though the topics covered were quite broad, the material doesn't go in-depth enough on any topic to do it justice or address all the different issues involved. The research did not come across as thorough. For this reason, complex issues such as marriage, infidelity, the second shift, women in the workplace, sexuality and parenthood were addressed in an oversimplified manner. A lot of the information was things that women already know. It made me wonder who the audience is, too. A lot of the information would be more relevant to men and the book does address men at some points, but it seemed to mainly focus on women.
Furthermore, it often seemed that writing rambled, and was disjointed at times with several non-sequiturs. It seems that the author comes from a privileged background, and that definitely comes through in his perspective. At times, the writing came across as preachy and patronising.
It's clear that the writer has the best of intentions, with a fair bit of decent points included throughout. The chapters on domestic violence and abortion rights were particularly good. If you're interested in getting some insight on differences between French and American culture, you may enjoy this. It is a quick and easy read. However, if you're expecting deep and thoughtful insight into feminist issues, this does not deliver.
Full disclosure: I am neither French nor American, so I don't have firsthand experience of what the author discusses. However, I am quite up-to-date on American feminist issues, and consider myself a reasonably well-informed feminist. I was intrigued by the premise of the book, and the chapter titles seemed quite promising. Indeed, it does offer insight into issues such as men's perspective on women in the US. I also enjoyed the French sayings (liberally) sprinkled throughout.
However, when I got into it, I realised that though the topics covered were quite broad, the material doesn't go in-depth enough on any topic to do it justice or address all the different issues involved. The research did not come across as thorough. For this reason, complex issues such as marriage, infidelity, the second shift, women in the workplace, sexuality and parenthood were addressed in an oversimplified manner. A lot of the information was things that women already know. It made me wonder who the audience is, too. A lot of the information would be more relevant to men and the book does address men at some points, but it seemed to mainly focus on women.
Furthermore, it often seemed that writing rambled, and was disjointed at times with several non-sequiturs. It seems that the author comes from a privileged background, and that definitely comes through in his perspective. At times, the writing came across as preachy and patronising.
It's clear that the writer has the best of intentions, with a fair bit of decent points included throughout. The chapters on domestic violence and abortion rights were particularly good. If you're interested in getting some insight on differences between French and American culture, you may enjoy this. It is a quick and easy read. However, if you're expecting deep and thoughtful insight into feminist issues, this does not deliver.
May 1, 2020
VIVE LA DIFFERENCE! explores gender roles, sexism, and misogyny in both French and American cultures. It was very interesting to see hear his perspective on the differences in gender dynamics in these countries, as nations considered to be part of the Western world are often treated in the conglomerate, when in reality, many nuances are present that impact lived experience.
I agree with other reviewers who found Blaise to be a bit harsh in his dissent. His passion is very clear, but the tone of the writing a bit harsh for the average reader, who will likely find him to be somewhat abrasive. Negating the delivery, I think his message is a good one and this book offers an interesting insight into the cultural norms and attitudes around women in France and America.
I agree with other reviewers who found Blaise to be a bit harsh in his dissent. His passion is very clear, but the tone of the writing a bit harsh for the average reader, who will likely find him to be somewhat abrasive. Negating the delivery, I think his message is a good one and this book offers an interesting insight into the cultural norms and attitudes around women in France and America.
February 18, 2020
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
I am very glad to have read this book. As a half-French new adult who has grown up on the American continent, I had never realized before how my views of romance and relationships between men and women are precariously balanced between the Western-European and North/Latin American cultures.
Many topics discussed by Blaise have made me understand that I was going out in the world with the wrong ideas about romance and relationships.
Right after finishing it, I rated it with four very enthusiastic stars, but now that some time has passed, I’m not too sure that the book itself deserves this rating. I think it’s more its thought-provoking nature that does. I’m grateful because it dropped a lot of topics for me to think about, even if I don’t really like the way the author handles them.
I've talked about it in more depth over here.
Blog | Twitter
I am very glad to have read this book. As a half-French new adult who has grown up on the American continent, I had never realized before how my views of romance and relationships between men and women are precariously balanced between the Western-European and North/Latin American cultures.
Many topics discussed by Blaise have made me understand that I was going out in the world with the wrong ideas about romance and relationships.
Right after finishing it, I rated it with four very enthusiastic stars, but now that some time has passed, I’m not too sure that the book itself deserves this rating. I think it’s more its thought-provoking nature that does. I’m grateful because it dropped a lot of topics for me to think about, even if I don’t really like the way the author handles them.
I've talked about it in more depth over here.
Blog | Twitter
April 19, 2020
Why American Women Need Men’s Support
I grew up when birth control and abortion were illegal, job ads were separated by gender (guess what women could apply for), sexual harassment and rape were joked about, schools became painfully desegregated, women and men were expected to marry and have kids, having gay sex was illegal, and it was legal to rape your wife in many states (the last state to make it illegal was in 1992). We’ve overcome quite a few of these hurdles, but Guy points out how far we still need to go, not just here, but in France, and elsewhere.
And like Guy points out, we need men to work with women they love to make this a better world for daughters, sons, sisters, brothers and grandchildren. What is love without respect? Is it even love? We can do better..I would not want to live in any other era in time..but I would like future women to have a much safer and loving world to live in...
I grew up when birth control and abortion were illegal, job ads were separated by gender (guess what women could apply for), sexual harassment and rape were joked about, schools became painfully desegregated, women and men were expected to marry and have kids, having gay sex was illegal, and it was legal to rape your wife in many states (the last state to make it illegal was in 1992). We’ve overcome quite a few of these hurdles, but Guy points out how far we still need to go, not just here, but in France, and elsewhere.
And like Guy points out, we need men to work with women they love to make this a better world for daughters, sons, sisters, brothers and grandchildren. What is love without respect? Is it even love? We can do better..I would not want to live in any other era in time..but I would like future women to have a much safer and loving world to live in...
April 16, 2020
"Keep your vulnerability in check and make a man earn your attention. Value yourself first, then let the man value you." As a French teacher, I was excited to read about a different cultural lens I haven’t explored. I found the comparison of male mindset extremely intriguing, and learned many phrases that I intend to keep in mind. The theme of self-value and setting expectations for equal respect are critical.
August 14, 2023
Interesting little book from Guy Blaise father of 4 who was born and raised in France and then lived for decades in the US. From his perspective, America is a more misogynistic society while France is more equal for men and women. French women are more demanding in relationships and sex. Also, a subtle mention of French men has a reputation as good lovers and cheaters. I am surprised French women have a long history to fight for their rights and they only get voting rights in the 1940s.
April 15, 2020
I Enjoyed everything about this book there was nothing I didn't like about the book. I would gladly reread it again. I Would recommend this book to anyone.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews