My Life in France

By: Julia Child, Alex Prud'Homme

Narrated by: Kimberly Farr

Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

In her own words, here is the captivating story of Julia Child’s years in France, where she fell in love with French food and found her “true calling.”

From the moment the ship docked in Le Havre, en route to Paris, in the fall of 1948, Julia had an awakening that changed her life. Soon this tall, outspoken gal from Pasadena, California, who didn't speak a word of French and knew nothing about the country, was steeped in the language, chatting with purveyors in the local markets, and enrolled in the Cordon Bleu.

This memoir is laced with wonderful stories about the French character, particularly in the world of food, and the way of life that Julia embraced so wholeheartedly. Here, she reveals the kind of spirit and determination, the sheer love of cooking, and the drive to share that with her fellow Americans that made her the extraordinary success she became.

©2006 Alex Prud'Homme (P)2006 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"This is a valuable record of gorgeous meals in bygone Parisian restaurants, and the secret arts of a culinary genius." (Publishers Weekly)

“Exuberant, affectionate, and boundlessly charming...It chronicles, in mouth-watering detail, the meals and the food markets the sparked her interest in French cooking...It also tells the story of the inspired partnership between Child...and her husband, Paul...Every day in France brought a thrilling new discovery, but Child’s capacity for wonder and delight co-existed with "show me" skepticism...It is a wonderful picture of the most successful American export to France since Benjamin Franklin.” (William Grimes, The New York Times)

“Like a surprise nougat bursting from the center of a chocolate truffle, My Life in France also serves up her moving romance with the Renaissance man of her life...her husband, Paul Child.” (Andrew Marton, The Philadelphia Inquirer)

Delightful escape to France

A true escape into a life of good food and good living. Julia Child did it right.

life lived well

I am not a cook. Julia wouldn't approve of anything culinary in my life and home. Yet I whole heartedly approve of this book and feel previledged to have through this book met Julia Child. The story seemed slow at first but slowly I was hooked and very touched by her authenticity and life.

Great book, needs a better narrator

Disappointing that the narrator can't quite transmit the essence of Julia's words. Her French is lacking, which distracts from the story.
Otherwise, a recommended book for any fans of Julia.

Fantastic

I love this book, the story she tells and the amount of French that she speaks makes the book so much more well worth Wild

An absolute delight

Would you consider the audio edition of My Life in France to be better than the print version?

Yes. In print this book drags because of the amount of detail in the narrative, but in audio the reader does such an outstanding job that every detail is interesting and relevant.

Any additional comments?

This books was a thoroughly delightful introduction to the personality of Julia Child, a fascinating look at post-WWII France, and the birth of television cooking programs.

Charming, insightful

Not only is this book an interesting insight into France and french cuisine, but you also get know a vivacious and dynamic creative who helped establish the phenomenon of television cooking class. It is a touching and thoroughly entertaining insight into a lovely fireball.

A Fantastic book!

Julia Child was instrumental in introducing French cooking to the United States in the 60’s and 70’s. This was an interesting read about how it all started.
We read it for book club, then had a small party to talk about it, where everyone brought wine, fruit, and cheeses. Julia’s attitude was that cooking and eating should be fun. Our lives were enriched by reading this book!

Didn't want the book to end-so much more than cooking!

Julia and her husband had such an interesting and intriguing life. This book does go into a lot of the French food and cooking that she did, but it also talks about their life in the foreign service and living overseas. (I can relate as I've lived overseas for 15 years.) I didn't want this book to end. I felt I could relate on so many levels, and I don't even like cooking. If you want to read about an amazing life history, put this book on your list.

Such fun!

Fantastic story, well read, perfect length! I felt like I was in France with Julia as I was read about her life there.

Unexpectedly good

Being a child of the 50s, I have course grew up with Julia Child on TV and kind of background food noise. I never paid much attention to her and download it this because I needed something to listen to. It turned out to be a marvelous book both in terms of her writing style the narrator and the story itself. I recommended highly to Wolle lol.