Book review of C'est Modnifique by Ian Moore

My review today is for C'est Modnifique!: Adventures of an English Grump in Rural France the second memoir about life in France from Ian Moore. You can read my review of his first book A la Mod: My So-Called Tranquil Family Life in Rural France (which I really recommend reading) here.

C'est Modnifique Ian Moore

This is another funny instalment of life in rural France for Ian, his wife Natalie and his family of misbehaving animals and growing boys. After six years of life in the Loire their plans are taking shape, but life never really goes to plan, especially when you find yourself amidst madness like gun wielding neighbours. In his uniquely humorous writing, Ian treats us to all the best bits of his life in France including; medical appointments, vet visits, school life, travelling mishaps and the mad locals. I laughed out loud a lot.

For Ian, life is full of battles that have turned him into a real Mr Grumpy. He battles against a family determined to go against his wishes and add more animals, noise and chaos to his life. He battles against himself as he can’t help but miss the noise and chaos when work takes him away from home and then there is the age-old battle of the work/home life balance. Some people are never happy and I doubt peace will ever reign inside Ian’s head especially as his goats appear to have given him gout and his courgettes (zucchini) refuse to produce fruiting female flowers - ha ha ha!

Living a similar life I can appreciate the issues behind the humour and while I may feel a bit sorry for poor Ian, his wife Natalie is the real hero of the book for me keeping family life ticking over no matter what is thrown her way. For those of us who love a light-hearted look at the good and the bad of family life in France this book is must read.

You can follow Ian’s via his blog, on Facebook and Twitter and read my France et Moi interview with him here.

A la Mod: My So-Called Tranquil Family Life in Rural France and C'est Modnifique!: Adventures of an English Grump in Rural France are available in paperback and ebook from all good book sellers and links to Amazon are below. Thanks to the publishers Summersdale who kindly sent me a review copy.