Publisher's Synopsis
My Frenchie Diary! Short stories about eating in France.
Dinner party, my place, with four French friends. For once, I am confident with my French, and as I bring out my cheeseboard, I say, 'Voila ! LE FROMAGE !'
They look at the cheese. 'Non, non, non ! It's not LE FROMAGE.' They lean closer to the board. 'It's La Tomme, L'Abondance, Le Beaufort, and Le Roquefort.'
Ah. Yes. We're in France. Must be specific. (She hangs her uncultured head.)
Writer Paris Connolly has been living in France for a decade. Here are 40 short stories about everyday food events like cheap and cheerful picnics, dinners at friends' houses, and village celebrations. The stories are not about which cheese is the best, how to eat snails, or how to select the best baguette. Rather, they're funny stories about an Australian author (who spent her childhood shopping for food in fluorescent-lit supermarkets) and her observations about the all the facets that go into French dining.
Paris has spent a lot of time in the French Alps in the Savoie region, so there are a lot of stories about mountain living as well as stories from big cities like Paris.
These anecdotes are the author's own personal experiences. She's not saying ALL French people eat like this, or do this, or do that. The stories (diary entries if you will) are light, fun, playful observations, and written by someone who loves and respects France.
A light and easy-to-read travel and food memoir. An insight into everyday life in France.
This book will appeal to those who have lived in other countries and experienced funny food culture differences, and also to those who are interested in daily French life. Oui !
Warning: A lot of the stories involve meat and animal products (like foie gras). And, although none of the stories are explicit, there are references to eating animals that are not the usual cow, pig, and chicken. Also, the word saucisson seems to be the main character of the book but that was not intentional.
The book has British spelling, and includes some swearing and Oh My Gods.
Author Quote
'I love food. I will eat all food. At least, that's what I thought before moving to France. I've got some limits.'
'Do I cook? Well, I didn't use to, but now, I live in France, that's changed. I certainly don't turn up to friends' houses with stuff I bought in the supermarket anymore. All homemade, bien sûr !'
