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Home & Garden |
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My French Life
written by Vicki Archer
Studio : Studio
by Studio
Publisher : Studio
Released : 2007-11-01
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 9780670018772
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 20 reviews)
List Price : $35.00
Our Price : $19.87
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Product Description |
A beautifully photographed romantic book about French style and culture—and making a new home in Provence
In 1999, Vicki Archer, with her husband and three children, made a lifelong dream a reality when she bought a seventeenth-century property in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. She spent three years lovingly restoring the farmhouse, bringing back to life the abandoned apple and pear orchards, and planting an olive grove of more than two thousand trees. In My French Life, Vicki shares an insider’s view of life in France— from its landscapes, delicious food, and scents to its charming people. And she offers an intimate portrait of what it’s like to adopt a new home on the other side of the globe. It’s a personal tale of taking risks, facing challenges, and the joyous experience of falling in love with all things French.
With lavish four-color photography that captures the essence of French style, My French Life is a book to cherish. It is the perfect gift for the holidays. |
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Pleasant Read along with interesting insider tidbits |
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I actually bought this as a gift for a friend and then had to return it due to the fact that the recipient already owned it - but I flipped through it and found it to have a lovely account of life in Provence and Paris. It has detailed - though sometimes random - photos. You get a glimpse into the French attitude and ideal and it helps understand the French psyche - makes you really appreciate and admire the French! I have been to Paris but this book makes me yearn for Provence too. It is based on one person's (the author) experiences but you feel like you can relate and the writing style is just so pleasant and draws in all five senses. However, there is nothing deep or truly insightful here, so don't expect that. A light read. |
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I, me, mine... |
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I had hoped the book was written to inspire a trip to France and explore the French lifestyle. Really, the writing left me unable to appreciate the lush photos; so self absorbed and boastful. My first ever return to Americancivilwar. |
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Virtual trip to Paris |
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If you don't have the time or money to go to Paris, this is the next best thing. The photos are dreamy and really wonderful. Put on French music, poor a glass of wine and your there!!! |
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A Real Disappointment |
I remember doing a search quite a while back for French Life (or something similiar) and found this book right before it's release. I immediately put it on my Wish List and kind of forgot about it.
A few months later, I found it again (going through my list) and decided I didn't want to spend $35 for this book so after much waiting it became available thru inter-library loan.
Let me tell you that I am so glad I was able to get it this way rather than pay for this overly-plush, terribly written book. Such a letdown..boring writing with heady photographs.
You will not learn anything new about the French in this book. It's the same thing: French style, food, politeness, slow pace, etc. And I got really sick of the author's constant referrals to her olive farm.
Best book on French style: Veronique Vienne's French Style: How to Think, Shop & Dress Like a Frenchwoman...magnificient OOP book but absolutely worth the inflated price.
Best book on French cuisine and life: Robert Arbor's Joie de Vivre.
Don't waste your time with this one. You'll just be paying for padded fluff. |
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PRETENTIOUS, PRETENTIOUS, AND BEYOND PRETENTIOUS!!! |
I have never read anything so utterly pretentious -- how wonderful that Ms Archer found this paradise and, at untold cost, restored it brick by brick, stone by stone, using the best local craftspeople,artisans, antiquarians and the like (and who all, along the way, became her new best friends)-- and telling us in the most mundane style how lucky she is to be able to sit and watch the olives grow while also tripping off to Paris or London (her now home).
Her ultimate coup, it seems, and which Ms. Archer proudly tells us she has received, was recognition,by the French Security person at the airport,of her HERMES BERKIN handbag. He informed her that she had bought the most perfect item in the whole world, made with utmost craftsmanship at Hermes-- and she has the privilege of owning it! MON DIEU!!!
Luckily, I got this book from my local library and thus have not added a centime to her rather full coffers. SAVE YOUR MONEY! BETTER TO DONATE IT TO A WORTHY CAUSE!!!! |
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