Let me start by saying how much I love France, so I may be a bit biased in favor of this book :-). I enjoyed this story of an American couple who buy an old presbytery in rural France (Rogny, in Burgundy - a lesser-known area of the country) and restore it, then a bit later finish the top floor and add dormer windows.

One can tell from the name that this presbytery had been the residence of priests since the 18th century. Many local residents believe it's haunted.

The village of Rogny is not too small to house some colorful characters, especially Coco, a badly disfigured gnome-like alcoholic, who can't communicate much but loves to help others with their projects and odd jobs. Reading about him is bittersweet because he does provide some comedy, though it's largely unintentional. Sadly, he passed away before the book went to press - it's dedicated to his memory.

One of the highlights is the wedding of the author and his longtime companion Mary, held in the back garden of the presbytery, with many overseas friends and relatives in attendance. Getting the food ready was a bit of a challenge as the kitchen was not yet finished.

Greene's mother decides to move [almost the entire contents of her house, it's later learned] from New Haven, CT to the presbytery to live with the couple (part of the reason they went ahead and finished the upper floor :-).

There are some funny moments, as when they attend a regional "donkey fair" out of curiosity and there are no donkeys whatsoever. I won't spoil the surprise, you'll have to read the book!

My one complaint - and it's a small one - is that the author tends to mention more details of their, shall we say, conjugal relations than I want to know. But only on a couple occasions, so I'm probably just being picky (or maybe I'm jealous ;-)

This will go into thegoaliegirl's Travel Narrative Bookbox.

Looking for a new reader via thegoaliegirl's Travel Narrative Bookbox.

ResQgeek and I decided to maximize our selections from this book box by participating separately -- he at the beginning, me at the end -- and then pooling our contributions each time. This book is one that he selected during my turn.

I will be seeing ResQgeek at the BCinDC book giveaway that is part of the MyChild'sCloset consignment sale in Leesburg VA. I will pass along this book to him, since it was one he selected from the Travel Narratives Book Box.

I really don't need more books in the mountain range that my TBR pile has become, but at some point I'll get around to reading this...

Mea culpa! I have been seriously remiss in my bookcrossing duties. It seems that I had completely forgotten about this book, until my wife discovered a hidden pile of books. I am still tempted to leave it on my TBR mountain range, but it has lingered so long that I also feel like it is past time for it to continue its travels. Hopefully, I can send it on its way again before to much longer.