I studied French for many years, went to France one summer during college, and did some ethnography and field cultural anthropology studies on the people of France. I love the culture, the food, the language, the history, and the art. So when I was approached to review this memoir of the time Marjorie Price spent in rural France, I jumped at the chance.
Marjorie went to Paris as a young woman in her twenties to explore the world of painting there. This is one of the things I liked best about the book, Marjorie's love for art and painting. During her time there, she met a dashing young French artist, Yves, who swept her off her feet. Soon they were married and she had a daughter. They had a dream of buying a studio by the sea, but instead they ended up buying half of a hamlet in the middle of nowhere. Still living in this area were people who spoke the local language and had never ventured outside of Morhiban.
Unfortunately, Yves starts to grow jealous of Marjorie's painting and quite controlling. This leads to problems in their marriage and Marjorie develops an extremely close relationship to a local woman, Jeanne. Their friendship defies language, cultural, and age barriers.
I enjoyed reading this story quite a bit, getting glimpses into a culture that no longer exists in France, and while I was saddened to read about Price's disintegrating marriage, the ways she found her own strength were interesting. Mostly I loved the relationship between her and Jeanne because I love knowing we can find friendship where we least expect it. We don't really have to have any of the surface things in life in common to connect at the heart level and this book was a great reminder of that.
Rating: 4/5
Source of Book: Provided for review
Publisher: Gotham
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Review: A Gift from Brittany by Marjorie Price
Logging you in...
Up until the marriage falls apart, it sounded like a fantasy! I mean, who wouldn't want to live that life (if only I could speak French, ha!). Just as an aside, I have permanently on my iPod "Under the Tuscan Sun", just to give me a little boost when I need it! I have always believed in the power of a girlfriend when times get tough.
A memoir set in France? Sounds like a book for me!
"I studied French for many years"--say no more! I've always admired that language, about which I know nothing, and your knowledge of it makes you the perfect person to review that book.
From my lowly Frenchless status, may I throw in here that, going back to my territory, today is the inauguration of National Poetry Month? Enjoy!
From my lowly Frenchless status, may I throw in here that, going back to my territory, today is the inauguration of National Poetry Month? Enjoy!
This sounds like a book I'd love. I spent six months in French after college and loved it! I love the language too and really miss having people to speak it with.
A woman who paints and it's set in France? Sold!
This book sounds fascinating. I think Marjorie will be in d.c. this weekend for an art exhibit...and possibly a reading of her book.
I didn't know you were so interested in France! I always thought it was Japan. :-D The book sounds great...I always love rural settings, especially in other countries.
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