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(Not Quite) Mastering the Art of French Living

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(Not Quite) Mastering the Art of French Living

By: Mark Greenside
Narrated by: Richard Poe
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Summary

Every year upon arriving in Plobien, the small Breton town where he spends his summers, American writer Mark Greenside picks back up where he left off with his faux-pas-filled Francophile life. Mellowed and humbled, but not daunted (OK, slightly daunted), he faces imminent concerns: What does he cook for a French person? Who has the right-of-way when entering or exiting a roundabout? Where does he pay for a parking ticket? And most dauntingly of all, when can he touch the tomatoes?

Despite the two decades that have passed since Greenside’s snap decision to buy a house in Brittany and begin a bi-continental life, the quirks of French living still manage to confound him. Continuing the journey begun in his 2009 memoir about beginning life in France, (Not Quite) Mastering the Art of French Living details Greenside’s daily adventures in his adopted French home, where the simplest tasks are never straightforward but always end in a great story. Through some hits and lots of misses, he learns the rules of engagement, how he gets what he needs - which is not necessarily what he thinks he wants - and how to be grateful and thankful when (especially when) he fails, which is more often than he can believe.

Introducing the English-speaking world to the region of Brittany in the tradition of Peter Mayle’s homage to Provence, Mark Greenside’s first book, I’ll Never Be French, continues to be among the best-selling books about the region today. Experienced Francophiles and armchair travelers alike will delight in this new chapter exploring the practical and philosophical questions of French life, vividly brought to life by Greenside’s humor and affection for his community.

©2018 Mark Greenside (P)2019 Blackstone Publishing
Cooking Europe Food & Wine France Travel Writing & Commentary Western Europe Witty
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First off, I really enjoyed the story and the way this was written, but the truly awful pronunciation of the french words was really off putting.

(Not quite) mastering french pronunciation

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This was written so well and was thoroughly enjoyable to listen to. I have also learnt so much about living in the region. This was written with humour and sensitivity and at least now I won’t worry about my French language attempts when I next travel there as this books gives me the confidence to at least ‘try’. The narrator added to the confusion and anxiety anyone feels when trying to speak French …that it’s not easy to get words perfect. A charming book and I’ve now pre ordered the third book and bought the first book in this series. Thank you for joy you bought me…and my final word is…everyone needs a Madame P 😁

Brilliant audio book.

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A great book for a journey. You can dip in & out as you wish.

enjoyable

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The best book about France- all you need to know, brilliantly written, narrated and so funny, i have laughed so much I cried - absolutely brilliant 🤩

Brilliant- funny and informative

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