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Words in a French Life: Lessons in Love and Language from the South of France
 
 
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Words in a French Life: Lessons in Love and Language from the South of France (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "My belle-mere is seated at the kitchen table sorting the baskets of apricots with Jean-Marc..." (more)
Key Phrases: Mediterranean Sea, Happy Mother's Day
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Vignettes and vocabulary create the base for this lighthearted memoir by Espinasse, whose blog "French Word-A-Day" spawned three self-published books. Born and raised in Phoenix, Ariz., Espinasse followed her heart to France, where she married and started a family. Thirteen years later, she still endures being labeled l'Américaine and experiences the indignities of grammar correction (by her own children, no less). Each short chapter (some are just one page) is inspired by a French word, shares a brief anecdote about French life (incorporating French words into the text), and ends with a list of all of the vocabulary words used in the anecdote, their English translation and a list of expressions using the word. In between explaining words like complicité("closeness, complicity") and égard ("consideration"), Espinasse recounts her adventures, from fitting in with the French moms to undergoing culture shock on return visits to the States, with honesty and humor, never afraid to have a good laugh at her own expense. With its innovative and entertaining way of teaching the finer points of French, Espinasse's memoir will be popular with travelers and expats alike. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Blogger Espinasse has taken a step backward in the evolution of media by converting selected contents of her Web log into a book. Her popular blog covers a different French word each day for an English-speaking audience. Espinasse's "definitions" come from her everyday experiences, particularly those provoked by her children's frequent delight at their mother's mistakes, misuses, and mispronunciation of words. When her son asks her to pass the ficelle, she searches the table for a string, not comprehending at first that the same word applies to an exceptionally narrow loaf of bread. Her daughter's loss of a baby tooth reminds Espinasse that French children earn a visit from the little mouse, not the tooth fairy. By birth an Arizonan, Espinasse has full command of English, so her explanations are lucid and helpful. Beginning students of conversational French will profit from many of these brief entries, and supplemental tables of expressions go far to demystify French idioms for anyone wishing to speak and write more fluent French. Mark Knoblauch
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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Product Details

  • Hardcover: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Touchstone (April 25, 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0743287282
  • ISBN-13: 978-0743287289
  • Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #659,387 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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More About the Author

Kristin Espinasse
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Front Cover | First Pages | Surprise Me!
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My belle-mere is seated at the kitchen table sorting the baskets of apricots with Jean-Marc. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Mediterranean Sea, Happy Mother's Day
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Customer Reviews

22 Reviews
5 star:
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 (2)
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2 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (22 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute pleasure for all readers, May 22, 2006
This isn't the France of travel magazines and guidebooks. It is France seen with the discerning eye of a writer, the loving heart of a mother and the self-effacing wit of an easy-going American in the land of women who iron their children's pajamas. The book's format - weaving French lessons into vignettes of her life in South France - is quite unique and I loved learning the kind of colloquial French I didn't get in classes. But what makes the book so special is Espinasse's humanity. Anyone can describe lavender, cobblestones and the pecadilloes of the French, but here is a woman who notices the little ironies and blessings in everyday life common to us all and has the talent to render them with humor, grace and charm. Even after I finished, I kept picking it up to reread. It's that good.
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26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Words of French Wisdom, February 28, 2006
By Lauragais "circle-h" (Carcassonne, France) - See all my reviews
A perfect book for lovers of France and the French language, for armchair travelers and wishful thinkers - and for newcomers who wish to understand more of the mysterious French ways! How come I write about this book? This is easily explained: for some years I've been one of the lucky e-mail subscribers to Kristin Espinasse's French-Word-A-Day writings (on which the book is based), providing wonderfully witty, humorous and helpful, poetic and profound insights into her life in France. We share her children's growing up in France, we are informed about her husband's work in his vineyards, we get to know her relationship with neighbors and friends, we read about those precious moments when her adopted country generously opens up new horizons for thought and outlook on life in general and especially in France. Always her observations are presented with great respect for the people she meets, never putting them down, yet keeping just enough distance to see and listen to them with a writer's mind. If you want to get into a French mood, if you plan to travel to France, virtual or otherwise, or if you just want to be entertained in an amusing, intelligent and uplifting way, this book is truly a must-have. It not only includes those lovingly detailed stories but provides helpful examples on proper use of words and phrases. Oh, and yes, you do brush up your French in a most entertaining and easy fashion: learning a language can indeed be fun! Put it on your list of Books to Buy - you can't go wrong!
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34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Special Person and a Very Special Book, June 20, 2006
By Jeanette Locker (Avila Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
As someone who has read just about every book written by individuals who have chosen to live in France, I rate this book at the top of the list. I first became aware of Kristin's blog when I was attempting to improve my French. In reality, I continue to read Kristin's pieces because she is witty, a great writer, and most of all not pretentious. She is so sincere, and you feel a special closeness to her because she speaks from the heart. She has become "mon amie" from France who always makes me smile.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming and Fun Way to Experience French and France
Whether you know a little French, a lot, or none at all, you will love these descriptions, musings and tiny lessons about everyday living in the south of France. Read more
Published 18 days ago by Pamela Waterman

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovers of French
I love this book. Those who have had a little French are greatly helped as the author inserts periodic French vocabulary within an English context. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Robert Young

5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK - Not enough stars!!!
I enjoy reading this and with the great stories... I remember so many french words. Make sure you subscribe to Kristin Espinasse's French-Word-A-Day. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Alicia Deavens

5.0 out of 5 stars An Engaging Read
A follower of Kristin's blog, I bought her book as soon as it came out, so I can't imagine why it took me this long to review it! Read more
Published 15 months ago by Passante

4.0 out of 5 stars Words in a French Life: Lessons in Love and Language from the South of France
This book is a lot of fun. As you read about the life in France, you can't help but pick up a word or two of French with each chapter you read.
Published on February 8, 2008 by Cindi Dean Wafstet

5.0 out of 5 stars A great summer read
I enjoyed this book so much, I'm getting another copy for my daughter to take on vacation. It was interesting to learn not only about life in France but about Kristin as she... Read more
Published on June 26, 2007 by Kyle Paula

5.0 out of 5 stars Hey! They're just like us ....
The value of this charming and instructive book by a natural writer and observer of the (French) social scene is that it makes picking up new vocabulary easy because you remember... Read more
Published on June 1, 2007 by Ellie

5.0 out of 5 stars FRESH
A WONDERFUL FRESH BOOK THAT ADDS DIMENSION TO WORDS IN FRENCH TO MAKE THEM MORE MEMORABLE FOR A STUDENT. LIGHT AND PERSONAL AND A GREAT AID TO MAKE A LANGUAGE YOUR FRIEND. Read more
Published on May 17, 2007 by Clyde D. Stewart

5.0 out of 5 stars Essence of experience...
The great thing about the stories are the truth behind them...
In the vernacular phrase of our day, "It is what it is... Read more
Published on April 17, 2007 by C. M. Boehnstedt

5.0 out of 5 stars Words In A French Life
Like new. Arrived in a timely fashion. Thanks so much.
Published on March 21, 2007 by Ardith E. Butler

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What are some of your favorite "FRENCH WORD A DAY" words?? 0 March 2006
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