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Veuve Taylor
Presents an Australian woman's journey through adversity and despair to self-discovery in a small French village.
As a young woman, Australian–born Henrietta Taylor searched the world for Mr Right: the perfect husband with whom she could have a happy family and a house with a white picket fence. When she met the affable Norman, her dreams all seemed to come true. But then disaster struck, leaving her a bereft widow with two small children and little idea of how to look after them – or herself. Searching for a different life, she packed her bags and took the children off to France, where she had found romance and adventure many years before. But what seemed so simple once is now complicated by feelings of loss, and the reappearance of the man she calls the Latin Lover.
In a tiny village in the south of France, Veuve (Widow) Taylor, as she is known, finds a new circle of friends, an unexpected role as the proprietor of three charming guesthouses, and a different version of family life. Along the way she discovers that the path to happiness can sometimes turn into a very unconventional journey.
Told with candour and refreshingly self–deprecating humour, Veuve Taylor is the story of a fairytale gone wrong – its tragic consequences, and its surprising and triumphant aftermath.
As a young woman, Australian–born Henrietta Taylor searched the world for Mr Right: the perfect husband with whom she could have a happy family and a house with a white picket fence. When she met the affable Norman, her dreams all seemed to come true. But then disaster struck, leaving her a bereft widow with two small children and little idea of how to look after them – or herself. Searching for a different life, she packed her bags and took the children off to France, where she had found romance and adventure many years before. But what seemed so simple once is now complicated by feelings of loss, and the reappearance of the man she calls the Latin Lover.
In a tiny village in the south of France, Veuve (Widow) Taylor, as she is known, finds a new circle of friends, an unexpected role as the proprietor of three charming guesthouses, and a different version of family life. Along the way she discovers that the path to happiness can sometimes turn into a very unconventional journey.
Told with candour and refreshingly self–deprecating humour, Veuve Taylor is the story of a fairytale gone wrong – its tragic consequences, and its surprising and triumphant aftermath.
- GenresFrance
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 17, 2024
Not what I was expecting at all. I was all set for a reno in France & trips to the market in the sunshine. I had to skip ahead. A LOT. She doesn’t get to France until around page 160. It’s a lot of information about her childhood, adolescence, & life leading up to France before that.
As far as I can tell, she doesn’t get to the three French guest houses until towards the end. If that’s what you’re reading this for, maybe the next book (Lavender & Linen) would be better? Not my cup of tea, though. The writing- while mildly amusing (I don’t relish self-deprecating humour)- doesn’t hold me, & she talks about sex a fair bit.
As far as I can tell, she doesn’t get to the three French guest houses until towards the end. If that’s what you’re reading this for, maybe the next book (Lavender & Linen) would be better? Not my cup of tea, though. The writing- while mildly amusing (I don’t relish self-deprecating humour)- doesn’t hold me, & she talks about sex a fair bit.
October 2, 2017
A book that will devastate you but also warm your heart and make you hungry for adventure
August 3, 2019
Husband dies of cancer she struggles not caring for herself and 2 kids. Gets better takes them to France for new life - runs 3 BnB's.
January 13, 2016
I read the second edition of this book which has been renamed "Escaping." Having read Taylor's second book, "Lavender and Linen", which I loved, I tacked this one with high hopes. I was disappointed. It is a chatty read that could have done with a good edit. Taylor rambles on and tells us much of her story rather than showing it to us. She has an ability to expose her thoughts and feelings, but often the story drags. It is a read where you will find yourself skipping the boring parts and sadly, there are many.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews