A taste of Paris, via California.
Written: May 23 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: well written. good pace. well rounded characters.
Cons: hits a slow spot in the middle.
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| prettyrain's Full Review: Diane Johnson - Le Divorce |
"Le Divorce" seems like it will be a simple little novel, but it quickly becomes complex. I never thought that learning about the differences between divorce laws in the US and France could be so entertaining, but Diane Johnson manages to make it just that. She also adds the perfect amount of intrigue and current events to the story to make it more interesting and add additional information on the characters and plot.
(For instance, a little side story about collecting French porcelain leads to insights about three characters and adds some international mystery.)
The story itself, centering on Isabel, entertains and educates, and Johnson includes enough little details (she always a list of what the characters eat and often what they wear, I love that) to make it feel like a good friend is telling you the story and not leaving anything out.
One thing... it helps to know French, or have someone handy who does, because there are snippets here and there and while you can read the book and not know I think it always adds more if you understand all of it.
I especially appreciated the expatriate view of life, because that's my current situation. I also like that the book shows bits of French and American life and culture and while the characters have definite opinions on which is superior, you don't come away from the book feeling influenced either way. (Although I now refer to the living room as "The American Kitchen" all the time...)
"Le Marriage" has just been released, by the same author, and if it's like this book at all, it'll be worth reading as well.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
prettyrain
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Location: Toronto, Ontario
Reviews written: 31
Trusted by: 27 members
About Me:
Book-loving, coffee-drinking writer, zine editor, mom and slacker loving the serendipitous life.
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