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bravelass85's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
It was okay. I probably shouldn’t have listened to the audio version. But the narrator came across as vapid - not someone I would want to know.
jlsjourneys's review against another edition
5.0
I read Elizabeth Bard’s memoirs in reverse order, but loved them both. She’s a funny, insightful writer about topics close to my heart: France, living abroad, and food. Lovely read.
dondelingdingdong's review against another edition
3.0
There are definitely some recipes I would like to try, but the story could have used some work.
jess_mango's review
4.0
3.5 out of 4. A cute memoir about an American who meets and falls in love with a man in Paris. She moves to Paris to live with him. Each chapter has 2-3 recipes at the end for dishes inspired by the events she has written about.
book_concierge's review
3.0
3.5***
Subtitle: A Love Story, With Recipes
When Bard was a graduate student in England (art history), she took a weekend trip to Paris, where she met and had lunch with a Frenchman. And the rest, as they say, is history.
This is a charming memoir where Bard explores the many differences between French and American culture. I did get a little tired of her whining about not knowing where she was going (career wise), but I loved her descriptions of the many meals she enjoyed – from simple brioche and coffee for breakfast to elaborate lamb dishes and the mouth-watering chocolate soufflé. As I read the recipes I found myself inspired, and thinking “I could make this.” (But I know I won’t.)
On the whole, an enjoyable, fast read.
Subtitle: A Love Story, With Recipes
When Bard was a graduate student in England (art history), she took a weekend trip to Paris, where she met and had lunch with a Frenchman. And the rest, as they say, is history.
This is a charming memoir where Bard explores the many differences between French and American culture. I did get a little tired of her whining about not knowing where she was going (career wise), but I loved her descriptions of the many meals she enjoyed – from simple brioche and coffee for breakfast to elaborate lamb dishes and the mouth-watering chocolate soufflé. As I read the recipes I found myself inspired, and thinking “I could make this.” (But I know I won’t.)
On the whole, an enjoyable, fast read.
jesslolsen's review
3.0
* I didn't actually realize this was a memoir, and was initially so surprised by the depth of insight in to characters thoughts/feelings.
* I wish I had read this book before I visited Paris myself. It all sounded very romantic (particularly her early days there) but that was just as much to do with the couple as well as how Bard described the city and restaurants. I would have liked to check out some of the places she was talking about.
* I feel like a bit of a kindred spirit with Bard regarding moving to a new place and trying to make new friends and find your own personal direction, especially in an area where everyone already seems to have their set social networks they are satisfied with. I could definitely emphasize with the frustration and defeat felt surrounding this aspect.
* It was very eye opening particularly in terms of how different the culture and career philosophies are compared to home.
* I'm definitely going to try and make some of the tagine recipes.
* There was nothing wrong with this story at all, but I was constantly getting distracted by other books while trying to finish it (I stopped and started again 3 times!)