Memoirs and biographies
What lives some people live… Here are the books about those who have been inspired by France or made an impact on it. Enjoy – I hope it inspires you to live your dream life.
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Reviews
A woman of no importance
Author: Sonia Purnell
Sometimes you read about someone that has just had such a full-on life that you feel a bit inferior. Well, Virginia Hall did that for me in this book.
I’d never heard of Virginia Hall, and I am pretty sure I would have found her hard work if I had met her, but I certainly would have been enthralled if I had sat at a dinner table and heard her story. Not that Virginia would have talked about her experiences being the top female spy master in France during the Nazi occupation.
Born in 1906, in Baltimore, Virginia was instrumental in establishing the French resistance network during WW2.
Dinner for One: How cooking in Paris saved me (a memoir)
Author: Sutanya Dacres
Well, this book was an unexpected pleasure… I picked it up at my local library without even knowing what it was about…the picture of the Eiffel Tower on the cover and the word “Paris” was enough to make me check it out.
This is a memoir of Sutanya Dacres life to date. Sutanya may be known to many as the podcaster who does www.DinnerForOnePodcast.com.
This book tells the very relatable story of her fairy tale love affair with The French Man (TFM) and their long-distance relationship and subsequent marriage in Paris… oh la la.
What could possibly go wrong??
Recommended
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Waking up in Paris
Author: Sonia Choquette
“Paris has no tolerance for or patience with anything fake or cheap or ugly, and includes what is inside of you, as well. I believe that is the secret gift of Paris and the real reason it casts such a spell on people all over the world. It demands that you recognise and insist on the most beautiful version of life, inside and out”.
Chateau Reawakening
Author: Tim Holding
1. Derelict château requiring total renovation?
2. Gutsy young couple, not sure how they will do it?
3. Australians??????
AGAIN, the antipodeans are doing important things in France. I have to say “Viva La Australian” when it comes to beautiful books about restoring homes in France. Books about Aussies are all over this space. And well done to them.
A Fortuitous Foray into France
Author: Gerry Collins
An undreamt-of adventure in a little piece of heaven on the French Atlantic Coast...
Well, doesn’t that heading say it all! It’s a call to arms for all of us to wish to have undreamt-of adventure in our lives. The kind of adventure that challenges us, grows us, and makes us giddy with happiness.
I was first attracted to this book by the rather unusual title – a fortuitous foray – who would use those words? How was it that I knew what those words conveyed? Yes, I am that old.
Here is a book by someone with a love of the English language. Meet Gerry Collins, a retired Australian Broadcasting Channel (ABC) sports broadcaster, who similarly to myself, has an interest in learning the French language.
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Dream Wheeler
Author: Deb Hunt
It’s never too late to live your dream.
The story in a nutshell: Deb Hunt buys the small London house of Jane Lambert.
Jane, who, if she was still alive would be 94 this year, was at the time a colorful 63-year-old, wheelchair bound, looking for both love and a new home in France.
Deb is, by turns, incredulous, scared and finally in awe, of Janes achievements. She has written this book.
Its a pretty simple story that involves a very determined lady.
We follow Jane through the sale of her London house (and burgeoning friendship with the author), through the process of buying a, shall we say, modest (read: derelict) home near St Nazaire and settling into a new life.
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