The French Art of Living Well: Finding Joie de Vivre in the Everyday World

by Cathy Yandell

In the tradition of Bringing up Bebe and French Toast , Cathy Yandell's The French Art of Living Well is a delightful look at French culture, from literature to cuisine to humor and more, showing how the French have captured that magic elixir known as joie de vivre .

What is joie de vivre, and why is it a fundamentally French concept?

In search of those ineffable qualities that make up the joy of living, this lively book takes readers on a voyage to France through forays into literature, history, and culture. How does art contribute to daily life? Why is cuisine such a central part of French existence? Why are the French more physical than many other cultures? How do French attitudes toward time speak volumes about their sense of pleasure and celebration? And finally, to what extent is this zest for life exportable? These and other questions give way to a dynamic sketch of French life today.

Peppered with anecdotes and humor, this book uncovers some of the secrets of the celebrated French art of living well. Drawing from her years of living in France as a student, professor, and mother, Yandell crafts an honest and profound appraisal of French culture and how la joie de vivre can be developed in anyone’s life.

Genres: Nonfiction, France, Travel, Self Help, Audiobook, Memoir, Cultural

224 pages, Hardcover

First published May 23, 2023

Reviews

[Lilisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is it that makes the art of French living distinct and unique? In this book we are taken into the everyday French world to understand the joie de vivre that is so intrinsically French. The author has lived in France at various stages of her life. Her story and anecdotes give us a firsthand and humorous look at what it’s like to live amongst the French, but never quite being one of them. I found the first one third/half part of the book the most interesting and engaging - as a student, connecting with people, attempting to figure out how to operate in a French world, etc. I found the parts where the book delved inordinately too deeply into French art, literature, philosophy, etc. a bit much and long winded - sounded more like a lecture. It bogged the book down and didn’t seem to match the flow of the first half of the book. Still, overall the book was an interesting read with a firsthand glimpse and experience into French culture and living. I wish I had enjoyed the second half of the book as much the first. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Huda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this book! Often, when you pick up a title that’s a personal account touching on a country or a culture, it can be a bit textbook-ish, where the author is so concerned with getting the facts just right, they forget to tell a good story.

Yandell does a beautiful job of weaving the subject matter in her personal experiences, with lots of awareness of her own bias, and the societal perception of French culture.

The chapters are well positioned and just varied enough to keep the book interesting and engaging. The author’s personal stories add just the right amount of context to otherwise rather abstract concepts like colloquial terms or the particular style or type of fashion customary on the streets of Paris.

I thoroughly enjoyed this, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a light, airy read on French culture.

[Lisa Leone-campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The French Art of Living Well is a tremendously enjoyable read of all things French, their culture, history, literature, food and much more, written by a woman who has lived there and immersed herself in trying to understand and live and understand the life of joy they all seem to have, and how they were able to feel this all the time.

Yandell who was born in the Unites States but has lived on and off in France as a single woman as well as a married woman with children for years. In this artful book which I would recommend to anyone thinking of going to France, she outlines just about everything one would need to know as well as tries to answer how she tried to learn how to achieve the Joie de vivre (joy of living) which the French seem to have discovered and mastered.

Within the book of essays, she tries to explain the differences in American life versus French life, including the way in which even doing the simplest things are totally different. In France, life is just so much slower, easier and less complicated. In almost every sense, the French always seem to stop and smell the roses no matter what is happening. They listen. To each other, to their surroundings, to their history. They respect each other, their history, their art and culture.

Within the stories, Yandell gives amazing history lessons as to why the French were the first at certain things, why they covet their art, food and the people themselves. We get a glimpse at the freedom the French feel and the respect they have for their country, although sometimes their government sees things differently!

Some examples of the differences between cultures which jumped out at me are the respect they have for each other. It is always important to greet someone no matter what the circumstances are and to say goodbye to them. Never bring carnations to someone hosting a dinner party. No matter how late you are nothing comes between the French and their coffee and croissants. When you use your words, sometimes its meaning may not translate appropriately.

The French Art of Living Well is a wonderful life lesson of all things French, filled with funny enticing antidotes, interesting history, music art and food lessons of a proud people who simply live their life every day in a thrilling, pleasurable way.

Thank you #Goodreads #St.Martin’sPress #TheFrenchArtofLivingWell #CathyYandell for the advanced copy.

[Noreen13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to enjoy this vicarious little trip to France! I wish this informative and delightful title was available when my sons were attending university in Paris and in Rennes. It is an excellent gift for anyone studying or working in France. I also would recommend it to those fortunate enough to be traveling there as well as those savoring the memory of past journeys. The author perfectly captures the French spirit of joie de vivre in all facets of life.

[Kristin C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! Oh, so..... French. I've been obsessed with French culture since I was a kid and this book confirms what I've believed all along. I'm heading back to Paris this autumn for the first time in a few years and I can't wait to soak in the joie de vivre!

[RJF · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am unashamedly a francophile. And thus liked this book. Of course I don’t agree with all of the ways this book says the French celebrate life. Some do not align with morals that I believe in, not do I ascribe to the idea that in the end they bring true pleasure. But I will always be inspired by the tension of French traits; elegance without extreme effort, refinement that is saved by a touch of crudeness, order without perfectionism, and how the joy is in the journey and not so much in the destination. The way they celebrate life in the moment through family, food, art, and humour intrigues and invites me to follow, albeit against the current of my own lovely but over stressed culture. I realize that my curious interest in the French lifestyle is found in the need to balance my Type A drive to accomplish and strike off lists, my mis-directed goal to always be productive, the bent to always “doing
at the expense of “being”. Can we also embrace the juxtaposition of living privately while also being directly honest, and cultivating the ability to debate without causing or taking offence?
My favourite chapter was possibly “Taking Time, Making Time”. And I also feel awakening desire to become a sculptor, making art with my hands on ageless stone or humble yielding clay. Can we celebrate and tease the senses instead of jarring them?
I will, from here, go and find French writer Philippe Delerm’s book translated into English as The Small Pleasures Of Life and learn more about embracing the fantasy beginning with the phrase “we could almost……”
I am determined to continue my quest of unlocking the secrets of the French language and what it teaches instinctively about the culture it protects…
This book was one of those “small pleasures” in moments of “taking time”…

[Daniela Daneva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Леко и отчасти забавно поднесена история за животът на една емаериканка и впечатленията й от френската култура

[Alexandria · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel bad saying this because it’s clear Yardall loves France and French culture, but this book was so dull and nothing about “bigger lessons” or what you can take from French culture. It’s really just a collection of short anecdotes about things she likes about the French, none of which will be surprising or particularly insightful for other francophiles.

The inclusion of so many French words and their translation — beyond anything descriptive — was grating and gratuitous.

[Kailey Bean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not life-changing but it did make me want to go to Paris, sit down at a cafe with a coffee & croissant, and enjoy the little things that make life worth living. I enjoyed reading the little anecdotes of cultural differences between the USA and France and learning new things about a culture that I’m really interested in.

[po.czytane · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

Zaczęło się dobrze, a potem po linii pochyłej zaczęło zjeżdżać moje zainteresowanie. Miałam wrażenie, że trochę za dużo samej autorki w tej książce i zaczynam czytać bardziej jej bloga, a nie książkę. Wciąż jest to bardzo poprawna pozycja z tej serii, ale z pewnością nie moja ulubiona.

[Onceinabluemoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5-5

[Kinga | czytamprzedsnem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ta seria nigdy nie zawodzi! Kocham ją przede wszystkim za jej luz - nie dostaniemy tu całej historii Francji, a bardziej próbę uchwycenia jej esencji. Jest o jedzonku, muzyce, języku, różnicach kulturowych, podejściu do życia. Dużo ciekawostek, które nieco mnie przybliżą nam ten kraj i zrobią smaka na więcej! Bardzo skutecznie zachęca do podróży, choć nie skupia się jedynie na plusach. Prywatne anegdotki w tym przypadku dodają całości autentyczności i dzięki nim zamiast suchych faktów dostajemy pełne emocji opisy.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Książka pisana z perspektywy amerykańskiej (co jest jednocześnie plusem i minusem 😆), a więc mocno subiektywnej; mimo wszystko, ciekawie było spojrzeć na Paryż "przez różowe okulary" 😅🩷🗼

3,9/5

[Poppy Marlowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a funny and humorous way to look at living in France and the faux pas that riddle your time there. Although not as insane as the movie "The Family" and the peanut butter scene, I can see pretty much everything happening in this book as the French are...so ... French.

In Canada, when you say something is "French" you generally mean that it is bass-ackwards. In fact, after a month in Gaspesie, I could not wait to "return to Canada". But France is France and Quebec is Quebec and I do appreciate that. (Oh they hate "da Engleesh" in Gaspesie and in Quebec City so if you ever want to travel and learn a bit about the French without going overseas, stick to Montreal because they won't spit at you for not speaking French!)

A thoroughly enjoyable book that was funny and warm and inviting and if you are going to travel to France (outside of Paris which is used to tourists who only know "oui and merci") ) it is a charming look into small village life (that would work for smaller cities as well), customs, food, romance and the love of history and customs that make the French "tick" read this book.

If you can't afford to go to France (Or cannot stomach the idea of dealing with flying these days which is a new and improved nightmare every week), still read this book - it is a charming little (quick read) vacation that will delight you from page one to last.

Bonne vacances!

[Jane McNeil · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read that was the perfect mix of humor and storytelling with a depth that was unexpected. The author’s style takes you on a delightful journey that is so vividly written that it seems you surely must have been right there. It ends before you are ready (isn’t that the best way?) and with great takeaways to continually consider.

[Megan Twenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woke up to find this on my steps this morning, opened it and didn't put it down for the following three hours. This book has just confirmed my ever lasting love of French culture and the people.

[Mai H.]

Non-fiction November TBR

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press

[aili · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this book by wandering the shelves in the local library; first book of the summer. As a French Studies major, I was, of course, interested in the topics that Yandell delves into, such as:
- wine and cheese / cuisine to try: salmon soufflé, couscous - ras el hanout spice mix with over a dozen spices [cardamom, cumin, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, allspice, dry ginger, chili peppers, coriander seed, peppercorn, sweet and hot paprika, fenugreek, and dry turmeric] (in Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco; head of the shop in Arabic)
- song concepts
- when I study abroad in Aix-en-Provence, I'll consider going to the towns she mentions (Perpignan, Cannes, Grasse, Marseille, Toulouse, Nice, La Ciotat, etc.)
- Host family?
- croissants originated from Vienna, Austria
- faire la bise - 3 (sud de France), 2 (Paris) - right cheek to right cheek first
- stand up comedians
- writers/playwrights like voltaire, victor hugo, albert camus, baudelaire, montaigne, etc.
- american vs french culture / different perspectives through language
- Permaculture (envi sci?)

I learned new French words and phrases:
- avoir la pêche
- occupe-toi de tes oignons
- raconter des salades
- mettre de l'eau dans son vin
- un poisson d'avril
- chien qui a mordu, mordra
- mise en abyme
- laissez-vous rêver
- acolyte = sidekick/accomplice
- la plénitude = abundance, wealth; satisfication, fulfillment
- les restos du coeur = soup kitchen/food bank
- le panache - style, flair
- J'EXISTE
- le gagne-pain = livelihood; breadwinner
- il y a du pain sur la planche = there is work to be done
- elle a mangé le pain du roi = she went to prison
- il a plus de la moitié de son pain cuit = he doesn't have much longer to live
- un havre de paix = haven of peace, oasis of calm


quotes i resonated with:
"On aime toujours un peu à sortir de soi, à voyager, quand on lit"
"Il faut cultiver notre jardin" - from the stranger by camus
"c'est le bordel, mais il n'y a pas de problème"
"L'heure de la fin des découvertes ne sonne jamais"

random:
pareidolia - the tendency of humans to assign meaning to random shapes (cloud watching? ink blot/Rorschach test?)
jardin du luxembourg has a state of liberty
no matter how long a log stays in the river, it still won't become a crocodile
lugubrious
sang debussy in usingers
cool website: paristique (history)
To-watch list:
Emily in Paris, Cleo from 5 to 7, Les Visiteurs, Le dîner des cons
Fête de la musique - June 21
Dreyfus affair - history / miscarriage of justice
Cyrano de Bergerac

Fun Fact: I finished this book up in an airplane!

[Audrey (Warped Shelves) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is based on an ARC of The French Art of Living Well: Finding Joie de Vivre in the Everyday World which I received courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher (St. Martin's Press).

4.5 stars

I loved this! Part cultural guidebook, part travel memoir, The French Art of Living Well is an analysis of contentedness in everyday French life--from the wedding parties that don't end til dawn, to the street art shared with the world, to the scalded milk skin at dessert time, and everything in between.

Cathy Yandell writes with an ease and friendliness that makes the book extremely readable and engaging. Facts and anecdotes are presented in equal doses, with themed chapters split into further bite-sized essays for ultimate consumption. This a "just one more chapter!" kind of read that had me completely hooked!

Now more than ever I want to visit this timeless country for myself, to get a taste of my own joie de vivre that I can savor for the rest of my life. Perfect for armchair travelers, francophiles, and the generalized Nerd™, The French Art of Living Well is a manifesto to simply enjoying being, as mastered by the French.


ATY 2023 Reading Challenge: a book with four or more colors on the cover (bleu, blanc, rouge, et noir!)
POPSUGAR 2023 Reading Challenge: (Advanced) a book featuring two languages

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed listening to this. Several insights, especially about art, that were very interesting. If it’s your first visit to France or tenth this book will give you insights about the French that will enrich your experience. Also, since it was published in 2023 it felt up to date.

[Nina and books · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,75/5☆
Podobało mi się, taka miła przyjemna lektura. Czasami może trochę nudnawo było, ale jednak w większości ciekawa.

[Marceli Kostrzewa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Taki bardziej dziennik niż reportaż ale spoko

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a huge Francophile and someone who is moving to France in (gulp!) 8 days, I was super excited to add this one to my collection of books on French living. There’s lots of familiar stuff here, the French cherish meal times, family is important, weddings last all night, they wear fashion better than we do, etc…but what wasn’t really her was a way to bring the things that make France great into your non-French world. The book also didn’t dive too deeply in to why France has been able to hold on to what they hold dear and why it’s nearly impossible for an American to copy their way of living. (Subsidized meals for workers, extensive limits on work hours, a real focus on community over individuality, etc). I mostly enjoyed the author’s personal stories of living in France and would have loved a lot more of that side of the book, especially her discovering things for the first time. I also liked the large amount of French phrases throughout (with context and translations). They definitely helped boost my limited conversational French.

[siena chanel · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the mood for Duolingo. Merci to Kara for buying me this book. An easy light read for casual francophiles. I am now reinspired to practice French and use my vacation days.

[Leeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having gone to France several years ago, I missed it and was excited to read this book. I liked the little stories, but I did start to lose interest partway through. I got a little bored. I did like that she translated the French words. It made me remember my trip and I found myself relating to some of it and being an outsider in the French world.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - This was a fun little book, but not exactly what I expected. I really liked her stories and it absolutely made me want to go back to France! But I did get a little bored around the middle - 3/4 mark. And I thought that she would have more takeaways about how we can implement some of the ways of the French into our own lives, but that wasn’t the case. So I’m left with what felt like a lecture on French history and culture — which is interesting — but has me feeling a bit like, “so what?”

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I began learning French about 6 months ago and have been slowly learning about the culture as well. I loved the vocabulary in this most. As an avid logophile (lover of words) it excited me how many new words and phrases, both English and French, the author used! Her contrast of the differing cultures was written so respectfully and artfully. Definitely a good read for anyone curious about French culture!

[Aneesa]

This book has been written before.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely commentary on how the French enjoy and savor life. From how to enjoy a meal to how to live in the moment, the French have mastered the art of living well. Cathey Yandell details her first experience in France and her continued experiences as a resident and occasional visits. It was a lovely unofficial guide to all the pleasures one can experience in France.

[Christiana Reuling · Rating 3 out of 5]

For some reason I thought this would be more about how we can make little changes to our own lives to make them as happy and content as the French are. That there would be takeaways. This was still interesting, but a bit dry.