Category Archives: Literature

Suite Française

Posted on March 25, 2019 by Patricia Gilbert

As a francophile, of course I read Suite Française (sweet frahn-sez), by Irène Némirovsky, when it came out in 2004. The author was working on a series of five novels when she was arrested because she was a Jew living in … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, Movies | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Toujours Provence

Posted on February 18, 2019 by Patricia Gilbert

I mentioned a few posts ago that I had recently listened to the Sam Levitt series by Peter Mayle. I moved on to A Good Year , ( I had previously seen the movie), A Year in Provence , and Toujours Provence. A Good … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

À cheval

Posted on February 11, 2019 by Patricia Gilbert

I continue to work through the backlog of unread books so that I’ll be able to buy new ones with a clear conscience. I bought Pardon My French: Unleash Your Inner Gaul, by Charles Timoney, back when Borders books was … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Château l’Arnaque

Posted on February 4, 2019 by Patricia Gilbert

When Peter Mayle passed away in 2018, I realized that I had never read any of his books; my only connection was having watched A Good Year, with Russell Crowe, when it came out. The British ex-pat wrote prolifically and … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Le Montespan

Posted on January 21, 2019 by Patricia Gilbert

I just finished a book that I procrastinated in so long that it moved with us twice, Le Montespan, by Jean Teulé. It was a fascinating and disturbing story in equal measures. It’s the true story of the Marquis and Marquise … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Le Luxe

Posted on December 31, 2018 by Patricia Gilbert

My latest francophile read is The Hotel on Place Vendôme, by Tilar J. Mazzeo. It’s the historical account of life at the Ritz and the people who lived there before the war, during the occupation, and the liberation of Paris. … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Malgracieux

Posted on December 24, 2018 by Patricia Gilbert

Lately I’ve been reading a police detective novel written by Georges Simenon, the Belgian writer of the Commissaire Maigret series. I’ve always enjoyed mysteries and they are generally accessible reading for the high intermediate foreign-language reader. Simenon was incredibly prolific … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Ce n’est pas la peine

Posted on November 26, 2018 by Patricia Gilbert

Usually, I like to recommend francophile resources that I think you may enjoy. Recently, however, I read two books that aren’t worth the time I gave to them, so I wanted to warn you before you might be tempted to … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Ce que j’ai lu

Posted on November 5, 2018 by Patricia Gilbert

I’ve enjoyed some good reads lately that were either in French or that had a francophile angle. Each was a book that I’ve owned for a while. I’m commited to finishing  all my backlog of books before I buy any … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Fashion, History, Literature, People | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Le défi

Posted on July 13, 2018 by Patricia Gilbert

I have barely been posting over the past year largely because I have been working on a certificate in educational leadership through Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. It’s almost done now (woo hoo!), so I am planning to post more … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature | Tagged | 5 Comments