Au Revoir: Running Away from Home at Fifty

by Mary Moody

Born in 1950, Mary Moody is part of a generation of women who Had It All. At 50, her life was full with a fulfilling career, a husband, children and grandchildren. But the one thing missing was time for herself, so for six months she left her work, family and friends and went to live on her own in the south of France.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, France, Memoir, Biography, Biography Memoir, Autobiography

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend this book for women who invest considerably in supporting other people all their lives, and do not have the capacity to follow their own passions- in this case Mary's love of France, and the small community that she builds around herself in Frayssinet-le-Gelat. The first part of an excellent four part autobiography. I liked her analysis of the impact of her fast living, war correspondant and newspaper editor father -Theo Moody on her family, and how she really dedicates most of her life in trying to generate a stable family unit in response- but then replicates his personality somewhat when she is responsibly able to- when the kids have grown up-in a corner of southwest France. Point being, she does this when she responsibly can- but is still judged by peers and family for doing so. I loved her accounts of village life in France, and the insights into French culture. Also, some beautiful descriptions of conversations with retired journalist Jock, whose a true friend, intellectual and character.

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

An autobiography about the authors experiences in living six months in Southern France, her relationship with her mother and father and her husband and children. She decided that she needed time off from her hectic family life in Australia and decided at age 50 to take a trip to France by herself. She is a journalist / gardener who takes a trip each year to Northern India for a week as hostess focussing on plants and an exhilarating walk / climb. Some parts of the book are quite interesting. Her writing style it okay, very easy to read. Sometimes the descriptions of the numerous parties she attended gets a little tedious but it certainly adds to gaining a knowledge of the French village culture. I certainly learned something about the French. Worth a quick read if you are interested in France.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s hard to make sense of my response to this read.
The writer has shared, very honestly, her feelings and l experiences as she packs up and heads to France for 6 months, leaving hubby and adult kids and grandkids and work behind.
I just can’t like her.
I don’t empathise with her.
I am not invested in her journey.
So although it wasn’t a hard read, it did feel a bit ‘meh.’

[Pandora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last October, I went to Paris for two nights and two days, with my 26 year old daughter, who I haven't seen for two years, and my sister and thirty something niece, who I haven't seen in longer than that! So being over fifty, I jumped at this book when I saw it in a second hand store! Standing in the street, reading the back cover, I started dreaming about my time there and only dreaming of what it would be like to spend SIX MONTHS there!
I started off being disinterested in this novel, but Mary Moody had a way of writing which quickly turned into an enthralling read, especially the historical parts of the places she visited! Even though I'm not a gardener, I was enamoured by her description of all the different gardens and plants, etc!
This was a very captivating story. Loved it! And, yes, certainly dreaming of running away from home and living in France, now!

[Reannon Bowen · Rating 3 out of 5]

While i really enjoyed the actual story of this book & all the talk of life in France, I really couldn’t take to the author who, at times, came across as arrogant, selfish & completely unaware of her own privilege. This is the first time I’ve ever listened to an audiobook at the speed of 1.5 but this was due to the slow, raspy way the narrator read. But at 7 hours long it pleasant enough to listen to.

[Cheryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yeuch! Wanted a little escapist dreaming, to be saturated with French sun and countryside and maybe a little inspiration to head off myself, but all I can hear is my mother-in-law speaking from every page! It's all so twee and the author so horribly smug. Basically a very dull and plodding diary account that holds no surprises.

[Dale · Rating 2 out of 5]

Attracted to this book because of the combination of Australian author and the opportunity for a vicarious escape to rural France; it delivered both those, plus more and less. The book details a great deal about the author's life up to the point of the trip as background and discloses a lot of her personal, family life and thoughts - she gets an A for honesty! Mary Moody has written several more books in the series, for which I'm engaged enough to read the next, Last Tango in Toulouse. After that we'll see.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I suppose I really enjoyed it because Ms Moody stayed in 'my' part of France, not many miles from chez nous. I know the villages she talks about very well and could picture every bend in the road!

I could recognise the characters in her story, not because I know them personally, but because they are typical of characters (ex-pats and French) found all over France. I found the book easy in style and prose and fun. A nice, light, summer read.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice easy reading book for bedtime. Seeing as there is a possibility of a French move at some point I have taken to looking for any books on English speaking foreigners living in France. Mostly this one was focused on how much socialising and consequently food and drink she consumed whilst living in the South West for six months. It is of no use for practical advice but gives a fun insight into the positive aspects of living there and made for a enjoyable read.

[Pbwritr · Rating 4 out of 5]

True story. Fifty-year-old Australian journalist "runs" away to France for six months to live. She has a glorious time--not much alone time. she falls in with an ex-pat English-speaking crowd, and ends up buying a house before she leaves. Very enjoyable and helps confirm our choice to buy a cabin in the place we love!

[Clarissa Horwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Au Revoir is an easy-read and rather interesting autobiographical account of Mary Moody’s life and relationships. It switches from accounts of her childhood to the exciting once-in-a-lifetime trip to Southern France, which she does alone. She is a good ambassador for the many women who juggle kids, work and a busy home. I enjoyed it.

[Dee Bent · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for bedtime an easy read. Wishing I could have an adventure like this. I read somewhere that this book was part of a trilogy. Would like to read the rest of the books in this series.

On another subject it seems all of my Goodreads books have been lost. Has this happened to anyone else? Any suggestions as how to find them?

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed all the books she wrote. I do wonder how much this was set up to promote the books. How or why the marriage survived I will never comprehend. Need to be a woman of 'a certain age' to read the series

[Jacki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book. Loved the author's descriptions of France and the people. Can't wait to read the second book in this series. Unfortunately I came across the third book first. (in one of my fav places - an op shop!)

[Zeelah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light easy to read story about a woman, blessed with a beautiful family and career, who is fortunate enough to escape abroad for half a year. Whilst abroad she forms lifelong bonds with many locals and celebrates the simplistic side of life, food, wine, friendship, gardening.

[Tim Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Moody is a 50 year old female Australian gardening writer and TV personality who went and lived in south-west France (without her husband) for 6 months and later bought a house there.

[Christine · Rating 1 out of 5]

She should of kept running!!

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could so relate to this

[Jen Roe · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was ok

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light and easy read though her musings at time almost seem a little self-indulgent. I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as The Hills of Tuscany by Ferenc Mate.

[Glenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical book about France great food, little cute villages, same characters read so many I could actually write one but enjoyed it. I have the sequel to read also.

[Beáta · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Australian woman spent 6 months in South France. She writes about her impressions, experiences and adventures there. As I am interested in French culture, I found it interesting and entertaining.

[Kelly Higgins · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was really repetitive more than anything.

[Jenny Housley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A jolly good read for those women that fancy some time to themselves. Look forward to reading the rest of the series

[Serap · Rating 5 out of 5]

So exciting you're living Mary's experiences with her!

[Marie-louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re read this book and enjoyed it even more this time. Have to read the next few too. Wonder what she is up to now?

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very relaxing easy reading.

[Margaret Hage · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this amongst my stack of to be read books while cleaning up my book shelves. I’d picked it up at an airport during my own travelling days for work and never made it beyond the first chapter! Last year I began again made it through a few chapters and put it aside, at this stage it wasn’t one of those books I couldn’t put down, interesting enough but didn’t hold my attention. Ten days ago I found it again reread the last few pages before my bookmark and then got caught up in the story and had to keep going. It’s actually quite delightful, while it’s not exceptional writing nor storyline it’s honest it feels like reading someone’s journal and it was perfect distraction for my life right now. Brought back memories of the wonderful time I had in French countryside years ago, encouraged me to bring out some photos and fill a few sketchbook pages, something I’ve been wanting to do for years. So Mary Moody I did enjoy your book after all these years it’s been a great distraction during Covid and I’m sure I know who I can pass this copy on to for her to enjoy. It’s one if those kind of books you read once enjoy the story pass it on, but it’s not a keeper.

[Michelle Swann · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were parts of this book that I absolutely loved: Mary’s descriptions of her family of origin and the sections where she delves very deep into her motivations and experiences were very insightful and moving. I also loved the descriptions of the food available and eaten whilst she lived in France. However, there were times, particularly in the middle section where I got very bored and, indeed put the book down for quite some time. It improved again for the final third section and I enjoyed learning about the thrills and frustrations about trying to buy real estate in France. Mary’s voice is a curious mixture of surmounting extraordinary difficulties in her early life with a middle class smugness that has crept in since her life improved quite substantially. At times I felt very connected to her, and at others, annoyed by the lack of acknowledgement of her privilege.

[Chris Avalon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the 3 book series of the life of Mary Moody. Unfortunately I read this one last, but I don't think it took away from the story, in fact, I may have found it a little boring if I hadn't read the next 2 juicy books. I guess the only downside is that I can't look forward to what comes next as I already know! I really like the way Mary writes, she is down to earth and doesn't mind telling a warts and all account of what she is experiencing. She makes me want to leave everyone behind and go to the south of France. Although I don't have the luxury of knowing people that live in a rural village in France and can't speak French, so it would be a challenge for me. I enjoyed this book but do think it was because I had read the other 2.