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rebeccaolee's review against another edition
5.0
Must read for anyone who learned French as a second language, travels to France or just knows French people. A staggeringly accurate deciphering of French culture and conventions for les etrangers. These two Québécois journalists reflect on their time spent living in Paris, and the "codes" of French conversation that they encountered : according to them, the French insist on conversing in strict invisible rules (codes) that are hard for foreigners to decipher, and without which communication becomes frustrating or leads to a dead end. The book takes its title from the first and most important "code" of speaking French : every conversation starts with the exchange of "Bonjour" no matter what. Well researched, with wonderful personal anecdotes from their travels around France and their experience of everyday life in Paris. I especially enjoyed learning about the French education system, and the authors' theories for the rise of the National Front. A lire!
rhour3's review against another edition
4.0
Very enlightening. A great insight into French culture and society. A handy book book to read before visiting France.
ckreads28's review against another edition
3.0
It was definitely a different and interesting read than my norm. At times it made me feel like
ninaclaire's review against another edition
4.0
I read this as I was preparing to move to France for 8 months and boy did I learn a lot. Sometimes I had to actively remind myself that there was more than one author because their voices and tone were so in sync that it melded into one (in the best way possible!). They take you on a journey through their own personal experiences (and trials and tribulations) to teach you about French conversation and culture (and what not to say) in the most interesting and hilarious way possible. I love this book. If you're planning on spending any time in France or you just have no idea how to talk to a French person and are ready to learn, pick this book up as soon as you can.
mperret's review against another edition
3.0
Overall this was good- the chapters were more or less stand-alone, and some of them were very interesting and relevant, and others less so- either due to being a couple years out of date or just a little dry.
gennyloves's review
4.0
A very good insight into language and culture. Great for speakers of French of all levels.
michaelnlibrarian's review
5.0
I have something like a hobbyist interest in France for the last few years. I have been lucky enough to visit Paris a few times, although not for long, and find it interesting to read certain kinds of books about the country and the city of Paris.
The co-authors, a married couple, bring a good background as Canadians living in Montreal who then try to explain France, the French, and the French language to other North Americans.
The title, The Bonjour Effect," is referring to the importance in France of saying "bonjour" in certain common circumstances in a way that is unusual for most North Americans, as a kind of exemplar of how French speech reveals aspects of French culture and life, French norms if you will. I don't think the sub-title, "The Secret Codes of French Conversation Revealed" says what the book tries to do very well - perhaps the publisher thought "secret codes" was going to be an attractive phrase. What they meant is more like, "what French conversational style reveals about the French people."
At least for me, I assumed that there would be more French language in the book, but there isn't. It is not necessary to know French to read the book and enjoy it, although if you do speak French it is probably more interesting. (I know just a very very little.)
The authors' include more about themselves in this book than I was expecting - there is quite a bit of "this is what our life with our two daughters was like when we lived in Paris to research this book" and those aspects are enjoyable and interesting. They present their thoughts clearly and it is a fun as well as educational read.
The co-authors, a married couple, bring a good background as Canadians living in Montreal who then try to explain France, the French, and the French language to other North Americans.
The title, The Bonjour Effect," is referring to the importance in France of saying "bonjour" in certain common circumstances in a way that is unusual for most North Americans, as a kind of exemplar of how French speech reveals aspects of French culture and life, French norms if you will. I don't think the sub-title, "The Secret Codes of French Conversation Revealed" says what the book tries to do very well - perhaps the publisher thought "secret codes" was going to be an attractive phrase. What they meant is more like, "what French conversational style reveals about the French people."
At least for me, I assumed that there would be more French language in the book, but there isn't. It is not necessary to know French to read the book and enjoy it, although if you do speak French it is probably more interesting. (I know just a very very little.)
The authors' include more about themselves in this book than I was expecting - there is quite a bit of "this is what our life with our two daughters was like when we lived in Paris to research this book" and those aspects are enjoyable and interesting. They present their thoughts clearly and it is a fun as well as educational read.