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Words in a French Life

Lessons in Love and Language from the South of France

About The Book

Based on the popular blog (french-word-a-day.com) and newsletter with thousands of subscribers -- a heart-winning collection from an American woman raising two very French children with her French husband in Provence, carrying on a lifelong love affair with the language.

Imagine a former French major getting vocabulary tips from her young children! That was the experience of Kristin Espinasse, an American who fell in love with a Frenchman and moved to his country to marry him and start a family. When her children began learning the language, she found herself falling in love with it all over again. To relate the stories of her sometimes bumpy, often comic, and always poignant assimilation, she created a blog in the tradition of books such as A Year in Provence and Almost French, drawing more admirers than she ever could have imagined.

With an approach that is as charming as it is practical, Espinasse shares her story through the everyday French words and phrases that never seem to make it to American classrooms. "Comptoir" ("counter") is a piece about the intricacies of grocery shopping in France, and "Linge" ("laundry") swoons over the wonderful scent the laundry has after being hung out in the French countryside, while "Toquade" ("crush") tells of Espinasse's young son, who begins piling gel onto his hair before school each morning when he becomes smitten with a girl in class.

Steeped in French culture but experienced through American eyes, Words in a French Life will delight armchair travelers, Francophiles, and mothers everywhere.

About The Author

Photo Credit:

Kristin Espinasse was raised in the United States, moving to France in 1992 to be with her future French husband. In 2002, she began her blog (french-word-a-day.com) and corresponding newsletter. She lives in Provence with her husband and two children.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Touchstone (May 2, 2006)
  • Length: 304 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781416531975

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Raves and Reviews

"Take a great trip with a memorable travel book . . . and lose yourself in the South of France." -- Real Simple

"Espinasse recounts her adventures 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." -- Publishers Weekly

"Charming." -- Library Journal

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