Rating: 
Summary: Entre Deux Opinions
Review: This book is sort of twixt and between being a memoir and being a cookbook. As a memoir, it mostly succeeds. Mme. Loomis leads an idealized life (from my perspective looking in, anyway) in a small town in France. As a cookbook, it mostly fails - not enough recipes and very little technique. Ironic, considering that Loomis is Patricia Wells research assistant.(For an example of a cookbook/memoir that succeeds on all levels, you must look at Amanda Hesser's "The Cook and the Gardener.") I have read through Rue Tatin two times now, and I still find it charming. I have made several of the recipes, and they turned out well; the braised chicken in mustard and white wine has become a staple in my house, however.
Rating: 
Summary: A light, delight, just right!
Review: This is a delightful book! OK, it's not the best writing ever written, and it is not a fullblown cookbook (I cannot imagine why anyone would expect it to be, frankly), but it is a delight nonetheless. I really enjoyed the detailed description of the town, the shops, the people who ran the shops and the ways of the French people Loomis came in contact with in her effort to become part of her chosen community. I especially loved how Loomis described taking a centuries old convent and turning it, room by room, into a wonderful home. She and her husband certainly had to have a vision of what such a run down relic could be in order to even think of buying the place. I was duly impressed!! And-has anyone ever even dreamed of such pampered care and FOOD while in hospital to give birth! (OK, there was a negative side too, but I loved this aspect of childbirth in France). I admit I found myself in a fantasy of living in that village, smelling the freshly baked breads, standing in line waiting for my turn to pay at Chez Clet, and before I was halfway through the book, I took to drinking my cafe' latte' from a bowl so I could dip my faux baguette into it! Oh yes, I was THERE! That is the mark of a good read to me-to be transported to a new place and be so thouroughly a part of it that when the last page is turned I am somewhat startled to find myself in my "new" (built in 1966) house in Portland after all! I hope Ms. Loomis writes a sequel to this fun adventure of a book. I will be on the lookout for it with anticipation.
Rating:
Summary: Charming
Review: This is a delightful read, interspersed with luscious-sounding recipes. Susan Loomis paints interesting word pictures and conjures up a feeling of warmth and harmony that I found very pleasant. I am looking forward to trying the recipe for her grandmother's rolls, with which she won the hearts of the florists across the street. Enchanting story! One small quibble: the book could use additional editing, the lack of which can be distracting. If you long to see more photos, visit Susan's web site--it's great!
Rating: 
Summary: For travel lovers
Review: This is an absolutely fabulous book for those that love to travel and hear stories from other explorers.
The story of the author's start in France, not speaking the language and falling in love with the land is enough to set you packing for France.
This book is filled with inspiring and intriguing stories about food and the french culture.
It's even great for people who don't consider themselves cooks-I wasn't, but was tempted by the mouth watering descriptions and have started to try some of the recipes.
As you read this book you'll have a feeling of 'being there'.
I recommend this book to anyone
Rating: 
Summary: A formula based exploitation of France
Review: This is worst book I have ever read about France. It uses a silly fomula to describe how quirky various French characters are, from the butcher to the Baker to the candlestickmaker! Susan Loomis lives her life for her son, her husband and her cooking, but the rose tinted enthusiasm bears no relation whatsoever to the life of anyone normal. I have no doubt that the author is sincere and enjoys her life in France, but what a dreadful, dreadful book! It is lame, pedestrian and patronising as well as frequently offensive to the French.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining & Engaging!
Review: Unlike some that have reviewed this book, all I can say is that it is a wonderful read, very interesting, engaging and well written. Like Peter Mayle, the author has found a warm and wonderful place in France and relates in detail her pleasant experinences, as well as a great deal of preferred recipes that she has found great success with in both her personal and professional cullinary life. There is nothing disappointing about this book. After just the first chapter, I was hooked and enchanted and ready to read more by Susan Loomis. A great read, a wonderful and vicarious adventure for any true Francophile or other armchair reader. Full of fun, great recipes and dozens of reasons to smile, this book is worth every penny and then some. Kudos to the author!
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining & Engaging!
Review: Unlike some that have reviewed this book, all I can say is that it is a wonderful read, very interesting, engaging and well written. Like Peter Mayle, the author has found a warm and wonderful place in France and relates in detail her pleasant experinences, as well as a great deal of preferred recipes that she has found great success with in both her personal and professional cullinary life. There is nothing disappointing about this book. After just the first chapter, I was hooked and enchanted and ready to read more by Susan Loomis. A great read, a wonderful and vicarious adventure for any true Francophile or other armchair reader. Full of fun, great recipes and dozens of reasons to smile, this book is worth every penny and then some. Kudos to the author!
Rating:
Summary: A Pleasure - Despite Some Reviews Here (Ignore Them)
Review: Why do we read this type of text except for a vicarious thrill and the gleaning of little details of French life? I can't understand the sometimes negative reviews here. This isn't a work of fiction and these people seem to be reading it in the wrong spirit if they expect it to be. For what it is, a chronicle of one woman/family's life in France, I found it enjoyable and would recommend it. If a few readers are by now jaded thinking it yet ANOTHER Peter Mayle, Ann Barry, et al. tale, well then they need to move on and read something else instead of expecting to find magic over and over in sameness. Enjoyable. And it has some recipes. Buy it.
Rating:
Summary: A Pleasure - Despite Some Reviews Here (Ignore Them)
Review: Why do we read this type of text except for a vicarious thrill and the gleaning of little details of French life? I can't understand the sometimes negative reviews here. This isn't a work of fiction and these people seem to be reading it in the wrong spirit if they expect it to be. For what it is, a chronicle of one woman/family's life in France, I found it enjoyable and would recommend it. If a few readers are by now jaded thinking it yet ANOTHER Peter Mayle, Ann Barry, et al. tale, well then they need to move on and read something else instead of expecting to find magic over and over in sameness. Enjoyable. And it has some recipes. Buy it.
Rating:
Summary: Charming and Sensually Tantallizing
Review: Written in the same vein as "Under the Tuscan Sun" and "A Year in Provence", food writer Susan Loomis charmingly describes her transition from being 100% American to being a French homeowner.
In simple but expressive language, she imparts her obvious joy of finding a house perfectly suited to her needs and that of her family--in the city of Louviers, north west of Paris in the province of Normandie. Her reminiscences regardng her assimilation into French village/city life enchant; each of the personnages comes to life--in fact, I would have enjoyed---even more so---a book double the size with more information regarding each of Madame Loomis' neighbors! In addition to detailing the work necessary to make their house purchase inhabitable, Susan recalls the sometimes difficult adjustments her young son makes in order to "fit in" to the French education system and the reluctant diplomacy required by Susan and her husband when dealing with the uncomfortable stubborness of the resident cure. Cleverly sprinkled throughout are Susan's thoughts regarding French sensibilites when compared with their American counterparts. At the end of each vignette, Loomis provides a fabulously apropos selection of recipes, simple, yet delicious which she either serves her friends/acquaintances or receives from appreciative French gourmands during the actual occurance of the chapter events. (I would have liked the recipe for the black current sorbet she speaks of at the end of the 'Paris' chapter.) The last recollection contains the lovely history of Susan's experience in a French clinic as she awaits her second child. C'est formidable!
The idea of pairing good food with wonderful memories certainly evokes anyone's idea of the good life. Recommended to all who love good food, wine, the French and are teased by the idea of at least attending one of Susan Loomis cooking sessions in Louviers.
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