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sandrinepal 's review for:
informative
reflective
medium-paced
What was most unexpected for me was the fact that all 13 books referenced in Americanon were non-fiction. I suppose it speaks to what a fiction junkie I am that when I read the phrase "Thirteen Bestselling Books", my brain defaults to "novels". Nevertheless, I persisted, and I must say McHugh's description of her search criteria seemed very sound once I read the introduction.
Another unexpected development is the fact that some of the authors come out smelling rosier than others. There were a few tidbits about Benjamin Franklin that really tickled my fancy, especially about his journey to France to hit up Louis the 16th for... well... louis and support. The fact that he was welcomed like a total rock star (Ben Franklin wallpaper, you guys!) is not something that we French people are taught in school. No love lost, however, for the viciously homophobic author of Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know about Sex. Yes, yes, of course, "those were different times", etc. but the man still paved the way for untold misery for so many people.
Lastly, I appreciated McHugh's perspective on American self-reliance as an expat in France. As a French person who was an expat in the US for over 20 years, her comments about the do-or-die need to be self-sufficient because help is not baked into the system really resonated with me.
Another unexpected development is the fact that some of the authors come out smelling rosier than others. There were a few tidbits about Benjamin Franklin that really tickled my fancy, especially about his journey to France to hit up Louis the 16th for... well... louis and support. The fact that he was welcomed like a total rock star (Ben Franklin wallpaper, you guys!) is not something that we French people are taught in school. No love lost, however, for the viciously homophobic author of Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know about Sex. Yes, yes, of course, "those were different times", etc. but the man still paved the way for untold misery for so many people.
Lastly, I appreciated McHugh's perspective on American self-reliance as an expat in France. As a French person who was an expat in the US for over 20 years, her comments about the do-or-die need to be self-sufficient because help is not baked into the system really resonated with me.