The first chapter introduces the author, Robert, with a vivid and
amusing description of his stressful London life. Strong
characterisation of the people he works with gets the book off to
an immediately absorbing start. Working at all hours in a tiny
jewellers for a pittance, it becomes clear that the life he leads
cannot go on as it is for much longer as his health and family life
starts to suffer. A trip to France with a friend, Tom, who wants to
buy a house there, gets him thinking. Descriptions of the French
countryside and French way of life makes him realise the contrasts
he is leading and has lead, and the life he could lead. Persuading
his wife, Viv, takes a bit of time, but eventually the argument of
the benefits of a new life for the children, Victoria and Keira,
win through. Robert has to give up the business he's worked hard
on, and 'take care' of a few people before he goes - evening up
some old scores and improving the lot of others. The family let out
their house, find one to rent in France and off they go, the
journey to France hindered by a wobbly trailer. However, the
trailer gives them the perfect introduction to their subsequent
life in France as, on their first night in France, the trailer
collapses, necessitating a stay at a hotel full of friendly French
people - a stay that extends as the local market 'traps' their car
and trailer in the village They arrive at their new house, deep in
the heart of the south of France, in the middle of the summer. An
introduction to their new life - tranquil and away from the hustle
and bustle of the city life. Locals turn up and are introduced, and
the girls have to be found a school. The family move to a house on
a farm, andthe farmer and his wife become surrogate grandparents to
the girls, as well as to Robert himself. They begin to teach him
the basis of living a rural life in France, from creating a
vegetable plot from seed (with strict instructions to plant
potatoes by moonlight), to butchering and preparing geese for the
cut-throat foie gras market. Robert buys a ruin in the village and
sets himself up as a builder.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
