Customer Reviews

French Impressions : The Adventures of an American Family

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

John Littell's wonderful book based on his mother's notes and writing is a delightful exploration of France from the expat's perspective during the 1950's. Every chapter is filled with touching and comical examination of the challenges one faces while living in a foreign land with no mastery of the language or customs.

I lived in The Netherlands as a child in the 60's, so much of the culture shock Littell shared in this book is similar to that I experienced growing up. I guess in a way, although certainly the stories are much different, the richness of the experience is something that I hand in common with the author that made this book wonderfully rich to me. However, his ability to tell the stories with such wit and quality writing will make it a treasure to anyone who picks it up.

One chapter, The Great Mayonnaise War was so funny I had to stop reading it on an airplane so that my laughing did not disturb others. If you are looking for something that will put a smile on your face, and love in your heart for France, click on "order now."

I really enjoyed this book, and laughed out loud several times.

I think that the description in the literary review posted on the main page presentation of the book is very accurate. I have to admit, though, that I'm prejudiced in favor of the book, for two reasons:

1. our family spent a year in postwar Holland in 1953/54, when I was 3-4 years old, so I can really appreciate what the experience was like, especially at that time, so soon after the war; and

2. I knew the Littell family; Frank (the father) was my high school French teacher (very nice, very funny) and Stephen (youngest son) was a classmate. In fact, one of the highest compliments I can say of the book is that it made me wish I had known Mrs. Littell more, rather than just as a classmate's mother.

I don't think the picture that Mrs. Littell paints of herself (her inability to cook, her inability with the language, etc. -- and I do think John is speaking in her voice on this) is as fair to her as it might have been from a friend or observer of the time, but so it goes. And while she presents herself in a comical light, as the clown of the adventure, she never really complains: only in the end, in considering the feelings of another, does one get a glimpse into the fact that it must often have been a somewhat lonely experience for her in the circumstances, even though she makes light of so much. I was struck several times with the insights she made; and she clearly must have been an observant and intelligent person, and a very good writer, to have produced the materials that John used to create the book, 20 odd years after her death.

Some of the episodes are classics: trying to fix a traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner for friends, with the swan the butcher delivered; a very funny literary tea party with wealthy, ex patriot Americans; throwing an American style birthday party for John. Some parts are very touching, including a look into the life of the local farm woman (and her family0 who served as housekeeper.

It's not a Year in Provence, and the book may suffer in some readers' eyes by that comparison. But it was a different time and place, and I enjoyed it tremendously.

This book was given as a present and with most presents you don't find out how good they are until you unwrap them. I had no idea what to expect when I picked up this book. For two reasons, the first one being, I'm a college student and there is no FUN in reading. The second one being a bit more personal. This book is about my grandparents who I never had the privilege of meeting. But unlike others I was able to learn what they were like through the voice of my grandmother in this book.
A book truly is a present you can open again and again. Not only was I able to learn more about them but I found myself laughing out loud many of times. This really is a wonderfully well written book about a very great family (not that i'm biased) and you will find yourself not being able to put this book down or even controling how loud or hard you laugh. It is a must read for everyone of all ages.

This delightful little book has long preceded the more recent popular genre of Frances Mayes, Peter Mayle, and other American ex-patriots living abroad and by far outclasses them in its originality and fresh outlook. Written from a 1950s memoir, this book captures the true adventure it was like to live abroad in a foreign country that was NOT used to seeing Americans among its midst. Mary Littell's humor and quips turn seemingly ordinary scenes and transactions in the southern French town of Montpellier into sparkling, humorous, unforgettable moments. This was a delightful, charming, and completely addicting book - I could not put it down! I have enthusiastically recommended it to family and friends.

very disappointed with the book..I would not recommend it because it is not very well written and exaggerated! the perfect American family in Europe?????????

This was a very entertaining book about the family's time in France. I was laughing out loud during parts of it. For an easy and enjoyable read, I would definitely recommend this book. It gives opportunities to think about the differences in cultures, but in a lighthearted way.

In the introduction to this story, Mr. Littell mentions how familiar "A Year in Provence," and, yet he could not quite put his finger on why. Then his sister returned from a tour or vacation in France and asked him if the the pictures she had taken were like what he remembered. This was his 'ahha' moment. He had forgotten the year his Father, Mother, brother and himself spent in France, about 1950. The sad thing is this was not written sooner. His Mother, Mary, was a newspaper reporter before she married, of course, reporters never stop reporting, but with no newspaper, she must have just kept a dairy. This became the treasure trove Mr. Littell dug into to create this book.
My wife was constantly being disturbed by my laughing out loud, or snickering, about some antic or faux pas being described. The story begins with the rationale for the trip. Who the parents were, what they wanted to do, their livelihood, the two boys and how they acted, etc. Then comes the boat crossing. Amazing that they made it, but hilarious. Then the small time in Paris (with the little author needing to urinate halfway up the Eiffel Tower, what is a mother to do?) They are to stay in Montpellier in the south of France, for the Father's, Frank, Masters program. The change of venue for this American woman is quite dramatic, even picking out a swimsuit is daunting, in this pre-bikini time.
The whole story is told from her point of view. I suppose that Mr. Littell remembered her humor and was able to accommodate his writing to make it reasonable. I tell you, you will not help but laugh out loud. It is something how she admits to so many problems and haphazard attitudes, but she enjoys them and does not let these things make her unhappy. She has a joy of life. This is truly a great tribute to a wonderful lady and her family.

If you're a traveler, a closet traveler, or even an avid bookworm, you're going to love this book. I've read my share of travelogues, and this one is at the top of the list. Fun to read. Hard to put down. Heartwarming. Enjoy!

I like John Littel, the son, for loving his mother so and for (the idea of) writing this book. Sadly for me, I did not always enjoy reading it. I was frustrated with it. And I found myself so annoyed at the husband! Here is a woman married seven-plus years, and she still can't tell if her husband "is kidding or not." Here is a couple that never seemed to speak with one another. It's dated, one might say. But, I don't think so. His constantly telling her how stupid, slow-witted, and ineffective she was -- and her skipping over it -- drove me nuts. I have been to Montpellier; it was wonderful visiting it again. But I suffered for this woman, and her inability to ask for and obtain any parenting help at all. Maybe that's how some families operate: in France or not. Now that I've made my points: read the book if only for the swan chapter. It is very funny. And Mary does get the last laugh re her friend-in-the-park, but I don't want to give it away.

American writer/wife/mother Mary Littell narrates her family's days in France as she struggles with the language, the customs, and the antics of her two small sons. A delightful glimpse of France in 1950 and a great family story. I laughed out loud several times.