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Almost French
by Sarah Turnbull | Biographies & Memoirs
Registered by Kernow8 of Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Saturday, September 27, 2003
Average 9 star rating by BookCrossing Members 

status (set by Kernow8): travelling


3 journalers for this copy...

Journal Entry 1 by Kernow8 from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Saturday, September 27, 2003

This book has not been rated.

To read and possibly form a bookring... This was the 100th book that I registered.

This copy has a different cover to that shown above, as it is the British paperback edition, brought over by my parents after I'd read a review of the book in the Washington Post. 

Journal Entry 2 by Kernow8 from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Saturday, October 04, 2003

9 out of 10

I enjoyed this book immensely - more so than Paris to the Moon which was also written by an Anglo-Saxon living in Paris. I think I preferred Almost French because the author immersed herself more into French culture - she lived with her French boyfriend. So the book really does detail her everyday challenges and delights as she experiences living in another country.

From my own point of view I identified with the author on two grounds. Firstly from my own experiences living briefly in France (for two months when I was 20, almost 15 years ago) and later returning for vacations. I remember being amazed and rather insulted about the way the French know just from your appearance that you aren't French, even before you open your mouth...
And secondly, more recently, from my experiences as a Brit living in America. My daily life involves being slightly on my guard as I go about the mundane business of shopping, taking children to school, eating out, going to the gym... Always constantly slightly worried that you are breaking some cultural taboo, so you can never completely relax in the way you can in the country you grew up in.

So I loved this book. It also painted an interesting picture of the way Paris has changed over the last decade. Perhaps an outsider's picture, although with her French boyfriend being a key proofreader, I am inclined to trust her descriptions.

Oh, and here's the cover picture from my copy. I think I prefer it to the one above... 

Journal Entry 3 by Kernow8 from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, January 21, 2004

This book has not been rated.

International bookring forming. Members in approximate mailing order:

1. bluenoser (Canada - NS) *
2. ArnpriorHSP (Canada - ON) *US/Can ................current reader
3. Tyressia (Canada - ON) *
4. DrBrown (US - CA) *
5. Ilios (US - FL)
6. juliebarreto (US - HI) *
7. jossanaijr (Brazil) *
8. Scism (Australia)
9. woosang (Australia)
10. twinmaker (Australia) *
11. katayoun (Iran) *
12. Hengameh (Iran) *
13. crrcookie (US - APO or Germany) *
14. back to me Kernow8 (UK)

* = international shipper

New members are always welcome and the list may be adjusted to include them in the most sensible geographic locations, taking into account mailing preferences. Please PM at any time to join. 

Journal Entry 4 by Kernow8 from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Sunday, February 01, 2004

This book has not been rated.

Mailed to bluenoser today to kick off the bookring! 

Journal Entry 5 by wingbluenoserwing from Eymet, Aquitaine France on Monday, February 09, 2004

This book has not been rated.

Came home from work this afternoon and found this wonderful looking book in the mailbox. The photo on the front - a rooftop view that is typical of Paris - made me drool and long to take off right now for a spring-time in Paris! Instead I will enjoy curling up in front of the fire to read this and enjoy a vicarious visit to Paris.
Thanks Kernow8. 

Journal Entry 6 by wingbluenoserwing from Eymet, Aquitaine France on Tuesday, February 17, 2004

10 out of 10

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and intend to get a copy for my personal collection.
It is enlightening about French everyday life and culture, especially Parisian. It is poignant in places but most of all it is laugh-out-loud funny.
We travel to France 2 or 3 times a year and nearly always have to spend a week or so in Paris and I can absolutely relate to Madame Turnbull's experiences and observations.
Anyone who has ever lived in, visited or plans to visit Paris must read "Almost French".
I'm including a post card of Les Deux Magots, one of the most famous cafés in Partis (mentioned in the book).
Thank you so much Kernow8 for the wonderful experience of reading this book and vicariously transporting me back to the streets of Montmartre (my favourite area).
I have to agree with all the comments made by Kernow8.
This afternoon it will be heading off to the next lucky reader in Ontario. 

Journal Entry 7 by ArnpriorHSP from Arnprior, Ontario Canada on Saturday, March 06, 2004

This book has not been rated.

To start reading today. (Sorry for the delay.) 

Journal Entry 8 by Kernow8 from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, July 28, 2004

This book has not been rated.

No sign of this book for several months - I think I'll have to get the ring going with another copy. ArnpriorHSP, if you see this journal entry and can get the book moving again soon, please let me know so that I don't buy another copy needlessly. 

Journal Entry 9 by Kernow8 from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 03, 2004

This book has not been rated.

For replacement copy's journal and revised bookring order, click here! 

Journal Entry 10 by Kernow8 from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Sunday, August 07, 2005

This book has not been rated.

Brookler has kindly lent yet another copy to continue this now-twice-stalled ring. Third time lucky? 



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