The French House by Don Wallace
ISBN: 9781402293313
Trade Paperback
Synopsis: When life hands you lemons, make citron pressé.
Shortly after Don and Mindy Wallace move to Manhattan to jump-start their writing careers, they learn of a house for sale in a village they once visited on a tiny French island off the Brittany coast. Desperate for a life change, the Wallaces bravely (and impulsively) buy it almost sight unseen.
What they find when they arrive is a ruin, and it isn't long before their lives begin to resemble it—with hilarious and heartwarming results.
Redolent with the beauty and flavors of French country life, The French House is a lively, inspiring, and irresistibly charming memoir of a family that rises from the rubble, wins the hearts of a historic village, and finally finds the home they've been seeking off the wild coast of France.
My review: I enjoyed this book reading the author's story made me feel as if I was on the "journey" with him and his wife. I would love to be able to do what they did. The "characters" in this book we fun to read about and meet. In my opinion I think the author did a good job on making this memoir read like a story. For me I wanted the story to go on a little longer as I was sucked in from page one. I recommend this book to everyone looking for a nice enjoyable read.
PRAISE FOR THE FRENCH HOUSE
“A journalist and fiction writer’s account of how a crumbling house he bought on a French island became his family’s unexpected refuge and salvation…Warm, funny and full of heart.” – Kirkus
“You’ve never been any place as beguiling as Don Wallace’s Belle Ile. He’s a funny, literate raconteur with a story full of fine twists, soulful turns, and fantastic neighbors.” – William Finnegan, author of Cold New World
“On a tiny French island, a couple of American dreamers redefine their lives by restoring a ruin—which in this lovely, shimmering story becomes a parable of a saner, greener, more sustainable path that we all can follow if we will but listen to the wisdom of the villagers the way the Wallaces did. The French House moves to a soulful, very funny rhythm all its own.” – Meryl Streep
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Don Wallace has been a magazine writer and editor for 25 years,
and is the film editor for Honolulu Weekly.
He has held a number of senior positions at magazines, including Yachting magazine, SELF,
Golf Digest Woman at The New York Times, and others.
His essays and articles have appeared in The New York Times, Fast Company, E Magazine,
Redbook, Portfolio, Parents, and many others.
Wallace and his wife, Mindy, split their time between Honolulu, Long Beach, and Belle Ile.
and is the film editor for Honolulu Weekly.
He has held a number of senior positions at magazines, including Yachting magazine, SELF,
Golf Digest Woman at The New York Times, and others.
His essays and articles have appeared in The New York Times, Fast Company, E Magazine,
Redbook, Portfolio, Parents, and many others.
Wallace and his wife, Mindy, split their time between Honolulu, Long Beach, and Belle Ile.
Buy this book on: Sourcebooks, Amazon (paperback or kindle), B&N (Paperback or Nook), BAM, IndieBound, Indigo
Be sure to check out France Book Tours (click here) to see all the stops on the tour.
Also entry to win this great gift baskets. The giveaway is open to US/Canada residents. Each of the 5 winners will receive a print copy of the book AND a French gift basket with chocolates.
Thanks Angela for your review. I'm glad you enjoyed the book, great courage indeed!
ReplyDeleteI don't think a small island would be a good fit for me. I like to move around and have a lot of freedom. I think I'd feel hemmed in. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI would not mind living on a small island as long it was one of the Thousand Islands or an island off the coast of southern BC, like Salt Spring Island.
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