Almost French

By: Sarah Turnbull

Narrated by: Caroline Lee

Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

After backpacking her way around Europe, journalist Sarah Turnbull is ready to embark on one last adventure before heading home to Sydney. A chance meeting with a charming Frenchman in Bucharest changes her travel plans forever. Acting on impulse, she agrees to visit Fredric in Paris for a week. Put a very French Frenchman together with a strong-willed Australian girl and the result is some spectacular - and often hilarious - cultural clashes. Language is a minefield of misunderstanding and the simple act of buying a baguette is fraught with social danger.

But as she navigates the highs and lows of this strange new world, from the sophisticated cafes and haute couture fashion houses to the picture postcard French countryside, little by little Sarah falls under its spell: passionate, mysterious, infuriating, and charged with that French specialty - seduction. And it becomes her home.

©2004 Sarah Turnbull (P)2011 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Excellent book well written

I was there with Sarah on every discovery of Frenchdom! It is a delightful and honest insight of the culture and traditions of France and particularly of Paris. Bravo!!

Tres Agreable! Loved it!

This novel is bursting with funny anecdotes and intelligent observations. Unlike other, fluffier books of this type, you feel the author is not embellishing the story to make it funnier. You believe what she depicts is the real France - she understands the country and its people so well. I've found that the narrator can make or break an audiobook and, luckily, this one is charming. I could listen to her warm Aussie accent all day. Enjoy!

Loved It Loved It!!!!

Would you listen to Almost French again? Why?

Yes, just loved it all

What did you like best about this story?

the strength of Sarah

What does Caroline Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her voice, makes you feel like you are actually listening to Sarah herself as the aussie voice clinched it for me.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did cry a little, but laughed heaps too.

Any additional comments?

Just loved all of it.

Delightful and charming

Bon Jour! I’ve been anticipating a two week visit to Paris and the Provence countryside this Fall. Naturally, I’m reading, watching and listening to everything I can find about France. This book is beautifully written and has many moments of charm, humor, and brilliant insight. I’m not nearly so worried about my faltering and grossly inadequate French language skills even with daily lessons s. I will simply shrug when I get it wrong. This book has made me excited about visiting the country and the author has given me many exact locations to discover and enjoy. The narration is lilting and although both are Australian, the French accent and pronunciation are quite good. This one will get a second listen.

Fabulous story!

Narrator is tremendously gifted at French pronunciation and the ability to tell a story outstanding

fantastic

Full of funny anecdotes and some French history. A bit of social commentary and killing of French myths it is an interesting view of France.

Enjoyed this book!

Another great story. I laughed and wondered as I listened to this audio book. I love France and dream of being almost French some day. So I appreciated Sarah's honest writing and sharing her insights as she navigated living in France and coming to realize how culture, language can clash but also come together in an imperfect perfect way. Caroline Lee is one of my favorite narrators and I always prefer books she reads! Great performance.

New Slant on the mysterious French

Where does Almost French rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Rankings are hard, let's see. I am pretty sure I will listen to it again even if just to listen to Caroline Lee. This is my favorite book about Paris and actually living there. I have bought several and found them trite, boring or ridiculous. Somewhere in the top 100, for now.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Almost French?

The 40th birthday party for Frederic. Vacationing with him in Australia...hilarious. The job covering fashion week. Her interview with the designer. The party where she gave up on the hosts and served the champagne.

What does Caroline Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Caroline Lee is among my top 5 narrators. She elevates everything she reads. I absolutely love her voice. She is able to bring a story to life.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I believe the total work from her struggle to decide to move there, and everything she endured and grew from each experience she found herself. I admired her tenacity I know I would have left. I am certain it was her love for Frederic but she didn't really talk about that very much.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed this book, I measure that by whether I am able to listen straight through or I stop it often. I listened to this pretty much straight thru, I asked myself if it was the narration or the story. I enjoyed it and it doesn't really matter. It was memorable, I will listen to it again. Worth the credit. Thank you.

Interesting and funny but a limited view of France

Any additional comments?

I listened to this soon after moving to France from the U.S. (Based on a recommendation from a friend). While I found it to be entertaining and it certainly contains some interesting insights into French culture, I also found it to be a rather narrow vision of France -- one that is restricted to rather privileged/wealthy people living in Paris and maybe slightly outdated (or at least very traditional). I found myself walking around anticipating rudeness and judgement from the French based on this book that never really came. So I'd say this is an interesting read but maybe not a good taste of what life in France will hold for anyone else.

I loved everything about this book!

I found this book the best I have ever read to understand French culture. I've traveled to Paris several times and always wanted to be prepared so read many tourist guide and historical fiction books in advance. I found Sarah Turnbull's insights and understandings of everything French the most enlightening of all. And her presentation as she slowly uncovers these mysteries along her way is delightfully entertaining. She covers it all, from fashion, food, drink, dogs, socializing, the psyche of French women, to politics. Caroline Lee's brilliant narration brings it all to life. I highly recommend this book and will read it again the next time I plan a trip to France.