Customer Reviews

Vie Francaise: A novel

5 star:		(1)
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3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
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I read the french version which slowed me down. I thought the juxtaposition of the coming of age story set against the political environment of the Fifth Republic was highly informative and added to my knowledge of french politics. This is beautiful writing, is it the french language? There are so many poignant metaphors and subtle references, so many rich characters, humor, sorrow, deceit, love, family dynamics. Even though the last part of the story was sad, there was a beauty
in how it was tied to nature. That's the cycle of life. We all face disappointments as we age. I think Paul managed his life,
and its hardships, admirably. After all, he was an artist.

An interesting juxtaposition of one man's life in counterpoint to the political and historical events of modern France. Evocative, intelligent and
authentic.

The last line of the book says it all:

"...life, I knew, was nothing more than an illusory strand connecting us to others and leading us to believe, for a brief time we find meaningful, that we are something afater all, and not just nothing."

The first part of this book is mordantly funny so it sucks you into reading more. As you go further and especially at the end you realize that the author can see no meaning in life except possibly and only momentarily when one is living dangerously (sailing in difficult seas) or observing nature.

The writing is excellent and interesting but be sure you have some prozac around for when you finish.