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Title: Entre Nous: A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl by Debra Ollivier ISBN: 0-312-30876-0 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 19 April, 2003 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $21.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.83 (36 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Entres Nous - What American Women Can Learn from the French!
Comment: I picked up this book by chance and couldn't put it down...it's a delight to read! Sure, it plays into stereotypes but there is always some truth to stereotypes, non? I also don't think the author intended for this to be a serious lesson in revamping your American self. Instead, I think she wanted to provide casual insight into what American women can take away from their French counterparts.
Dieting, mass consumption - these are very American concepts. The reason the French don't have the problems with body image that we do is because they're much more about appreciating who they are and enjoying things without swinging to extremes on the pendulum. While we deprive ourselves of butter and desserts - yet still have the highest rates of obesity - the French indulge in rich, delicious foods but they do so in moderation. Americans who subscribe to this feast or famine, all or nothing mentality need to take a page out of the French book on moderation.
The moderate tendencies of the French can also apply to clothing. In America, there is a tendancy to buy as much as we can at the blowout sale. Ollivier decribes how the French woman builds her wardrobe slowly and carefully with select items that flatter her. She only pulls out her wallet when she sees something she really wants and can afford that will also enhance her wardrobe - in the longterm. Not a bad lesson for those of us with credit card debt and a closet full of mediocre clothing that either doesn't flatter us or is yesterday's trend bought in large quantity at the chain store's last big sale.
The book also covers relationships, friendships, entertaining, work, and the home. While you might not be inclined to do everything that a French woman might do, you may find some gems that work for you. Since reading the book, I know I think twice now when I feel this urge to rush through my meal to get onto the next task. I also spend a little more time enjoying my coffee and reading and a little less time worrying about time and schedules.
Overall, Entre Nous is entertaining, lighthearted advice for any American woman who is looking to enjoy more with less. Yes, "the joie de vivre" is something that we all deserve to have a little more of, French or not.
Rating: 5
Summary: Deeper than I thought! 3 cheers, 5 stars!
Comment: At first, I wondered if this would be another lightweight book praising the mythical French Woman and how she can tie a scarf. Mais non. It is one of the best self-help books, for American women in general, that I have ever read. Getting below the surface of cosmetics and clothes (though these ARE important), the author highlights the intellect of the French woman, and how this sets her apart from the American woman.
There is SO much more to the French Paradox. We Americans are FAR more addicted to appearances and the surface of things; we do not take time to get as deep as our European sisters. We think that if we look good and are "physically fit and thin" we have done our work.
This book shows us that French "style" begins in the mind and not on the body. Merci!!
Rating: 4
Summary: Fascinating
Comment: I read this book in one afternoon. It is an easy read but the insights into French culture in general, and specically French women, are fascinating.
The overall feeling I was left with was that the attitude of French women influences every aspect of their lives and it has been nurtured throughout their lives. There were some ideas, philosphies and attitudes toward certain areas of one's life that are certainly worth adopting.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found it entertaining and insightful.
I gave it 4 stars to avoid being typically "overly enthusiastic" as Americans tend to be.
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Title: Joie de Vivre: Simple French Style for Everyday Living by Robert Arbor, Katherine Whiteside ISBN: 0743223535 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Pub. Date: 01 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $30.00 |
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Title: Frederic Fekkai: A Year of Style by Frederic Fekkai ISBN: 0609605038 Publisher: Clarkson Potter Pub. Date: 24 October, 2000 List Price(USD): $35.00 |
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Title: Better Than Beauty: A Guide to Charm by Helen Valentine, Alice Thompson, Emery I. Gondor ISBN: 0811834514 Publisher: Chronicle Books Pub. Date: March, 2002 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Fatale : How French Women Do It by Edith I. Kunz ISBN: 0927015250 Publisher: Bridgewood Pr Pub. Date: 14 July, 2000 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: The Fat Fallacy : The French Diet Secrets to Permanent Weight Loss by Will Clower ISBN: 1400049199 Publisher: Three Rivers Press Pub. Date: 22 April, 2003 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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