“The sweetness and generosity and politeness and gentleness and humanity of the French had shown me how lovely life can be if one takes time to be friendly.”
Julia Child, My Life in France
Title: My Life in France
Author: Julia Child with Alex Prud’Homme
Genres: Non-fiction, Memoir, Biography, Travel, Food
Length: 11 hrs, 17 mins (Audiobook)
Published: 2006
My Rating: ★★★★★
Read: 11/15/2023 – 11/19/2023
Review:
I’ve been watching Julia on HBO and have been thoroughly enjoying it. When this book was selected for a group read, I was super excited to read Julia Child’s own words. I was moderately familiar with her growing up coming from a PBS family on both sides, but I never thought much about her on my own until I was older and then especially when Julia premiered.
Published posthumously, this memoir details Julia Child’s life with her husband Paul throughout his career as a U.S. diplomat and some time after. The book largely takes place in France, detailing the food, lifestyle, and friends they experienced in post-war Europe. She also discusses the cookbooks written with her friend Simca as well as her trailblazing show on PBS.
I enjoyed this immensely. It made me wish I could taste the foods she was discovering and take in the ambiance of her surroundings. I also adore her and Paul’s relationship. It was so precious and I was glad the way it’s been portrayed on Julia seems in line with real life. An all-around lovely read!
Likes & Dislikes:
What I liked:
- All of the France ambience!
- I learned a lot about food.
- Julia and Paul!!!!
What I didn’t like:
- This definitely would have been a mood read for me and I wish I’d saved it for traveling, Lord willing, to Europe again someday.
Afterthoughts:
Such a lovely book! I purchased Mastering the Art of French Cooking earlier this year and this book made me want to get in the kitchen and start trying some recipes.
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