Rating: 
Summary: Not so intimate, or romantic
Review: Sarah Turnbull has written a book that will appeal particularly to people familiar with the typical Australian lifestyle. I found it a well written observation from within the heart of France of the differences between the French and Australian lifestyle and customs. This is not a novel about romance, it is more of a memoir of experiences that stem from a romance, but it does start and end in fairytale style.I read this book while vacationing in Australia, because it happened to be left behind in the apartment I was staying in, and curiously because I've always had it as one of my goals to learn the French language one of these days. I found the book an easy read and thoroughly enjoyed Sarah's observations on French culture, in particular their social customs. Being Australian and knowing quite a few French people myself I can empathise with a lot of Sarah's views that stem from the French "amour propre", or self pride that is oft misconstrued for arrogance when it comes to language and social etiquette. Sarah is well in touch with her Australian inner self and the descriptions of events when her boyfriend Fred is holidaying with her in Australia are very amusing. The Frenchman's description of swimming in the surf as being "too violent" had me laughing out loud. I could have left out the Paris fashion show experiences, and her desires to move closer to the centre of Paris for the simple reason that the new postcode would label them with a higher social class status actually appalled me, as it might the "average" Australian. Sarah does tease us though with here complete steer away from the intimate details of her life. It must have taken a very powerful reflex to want to spend a two week "holiday" with a man she'd met once over dinner a while beforehand. We are left wondering what made the "holiday romance" so successful in the two weeks she spent with him, and subsequently we are also left wondering what Sarah and Fred's recipe for success on the relationship side is. I couldn't help but get the feeling that Sarah has written a book about the side issues that are inevitably associated with the real reason for her desire to live in France, which is of course her lover. The result is a story with a romantic shell but a substance of experience outside of the real driver or purpose for it to be there in the first place. The book ends in a fairytale style where she walks down the aisle and gets married. And lives happily ever after ? I am sure Sarah and Fred will find out.
Rating: 
Summary: Poised, balanced, and honest memoir
Review: Sarah Turnbull provides an honest, humorous, and, at times, painful account of adopting a new homeland, culture, and way of life for the sake of romance and true love. She discusses, in a sensitive manner, cultural differences spanning from family matters to social interactions to fashion to politics. Gradually she begins to overcome the difficulties of this major transition (particularly in the area of social interaction) and eloquently describes her process of integration. An excellent read for anyone fascinated by the French, for those who are willing to make tremendous life changes for love, and for anyone considering immigrating to France!
Rating:
Summary: A definite page turner !
Review: Sarah Turnbull's easy-to-read, playful style, pinpoints the differences between anglosaxon and latin cultures and just how opposite they can be.
Living in Paris for 8 years now, as an American, I completely identified with her views on what makes cultures clash. Even for those that will never visit Paris or France one day, the story is fun and Sarah manages to describe everyday life here just as it is: complex, entertaining and eye opening.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read for Anyone Anticipating Expatriation
Review: Sarah Turnbull's memoir of moving to Paris from Australia is fun to read and eye-opening. For anyone with romantic visions of becoming an expatriate, this is recommended reading. Turnbull is a thoughtful and engaging writer. Her descriptions of Paris neighborhoods, dog-ownership for Parisians, finding work, social life, food, and style are all interesting and grounded in experience.
Rating:
Summary: Will whoever borrowed it last give it back? Please?
Review: Sarah Turnbull, an Australian journalist, takes a year off work to travel. While she is roaming around Europe she meets a Parisian named Frederic, who invites her to visit him in Paris. It sounds like a good idea at the time; she does, although by the time her plane lands at Charles de Gaulle she is beginning to wonder what possessed her to agree to stay with essentially a complete and total stranger. The visit goes well, though; so well, in fact, that she moves permanently not just to Paris, but into Frederic's apartment. The memoir that follows is a charming and amusing account of two cultures, embodied by two very different people -- the uptight, nattily dressed Frenchman and the casual, easy-going Aussie -- trying to coexist in a small space. He is appalled when she wears her sweat pants to pick up her morning baguette ("But it's not nice for the baker!"); she doesn't understand his sense of humor. This is a happy story that ends with a wedding, but not before the author has myriad battles with the language, countless misunderstandings with the the customs of the place, and some truly homesick spells yearning for Australia. I found this book laugh-out-loud funny (although I'll admit my reaction may have been a little extreme) because I have spent time in Paris and saw myself very clearly in Ms. Turnbull's language struggles, efforts to get a journalistic career going, and just general befuddlement. I've passed my copy on to some travelling companions who felt the same way I did. But even if you've never been to France, "Almost French" is well-worth reading for the entertainment value alone. The descriptions are apt. The voice is personable and interesting, so much so that by the time you've finished, you'll feel not just that you've visited Paris, but as if you've made a new friend while you were there.
Rating:
Summary: With laugh and tears
Review: Sarah's strong sense of humour made her real life become a very interesting and charming story. She shown a very ahrd feeling when she's living and leaving Paris.The wounderful story makes people laugh, cry and dream ! It shows the difference between culture, language relationship with people, working and thinkings and how a gal deal with all these things.
Rating:
Summary: Charming and Delightful
Review: Simply stated, this is one of the most insightful, charming and delightful books I have ever read. Fascinating insights about French culture and Ms. Turnbull's efforts to become well "almost french" Absolutely loved reading this book and have mailed it to my two grown daughters to read.
drewhat
Rating:
Summary: Fun Fun Fun
Review: This book was capitavating from the very beginning. Living in London with my British hubby, I had tears in my eyes frequently when I read the various passages about dinner parties, etc. I went through many of the same situations as the author did, without the language barrier, sort of, and still was reduced to tears at functions. Luckily, my husband is as supportive as Ms. Turnbull's is. But this book is the best. I am so envious that in Paris you can actually meet people when you walk your dog. My experiences in London, with our ruby cavalier king charles spaniel, have not been all that warm. People I meet are more concerned that I have a bag to pick up the poop than they are interested in my dog, which is the most popular small breed in the UK! Now, when we go to the country, things change dramatically! This book is a charmer and I picked up some new French phrases I had never known before.
Rating:
Summary: A Fabulous Read
Review: This is a rare gem. A wonderfully scripted book with the appropriate amount of wit and humuor thrown in, I was hoping for more when I finished reading it. Sarah Turnbull has given us an intimate amount of how she adapts to city life in France. It is a refreshing account of life in a foreign culture. Unlike books by Peter Mayle, Carole Drinkwater which tend to be stories of country living, this book give a glimpse into city life which is what many of us are familiar with. One can also learn more about the French way of thinking (told with extreme wit and sometimes, exasperation), living, communicating and dealing with bureacracy. I highly recommend this book to all who want to know the French a little more, to find out how a girl in her twenties mustered up the courage to stay with a Frenchman she barely knew during her gap year and finally settled down for good in this foreign land that is more than half the globe away from her native Australian home and how she adapted and became "almost french", all amid a hilarious read. I caught myself chuckling away in a cafe and the subway while reading this book. Of course, no one then understood why and could have labelled me crazy, but only if they knew what a book "Almost French" is.
Rating:
Summary: Could Not Put the Book Down
Review: Trumbell's witty account of adapting to life in Paris in Almost French, Love and a New Life in Paris is a wonderful read. Her portrait of Parisians is remarkably humouring, from snobby shopkeepers, uptight cocktail parties and unrelenting remarks and "eyeballs" on her dress, speech and mannerisms-Trumbell's account of living and adjusting to societal demands and attitudes is utterly fascinating. The book is more travel and experience oriented rather than finding love with her boyfriend, 'Fred'-and while I longed for that element to surface at any moment-I grew fond of her reactions and struggles in Paris. Great read, romantic, good history, well developed story.
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