My review today is for the
beautifully written A Lady in France: A Memoir
by Jennie Goutet. Jennie lives in France with
her French husband and three children, but this is so much more than a new life
in France book.
Jennie has led an amazing life.
She was raised in the US in a multi-cultural family, has taught English in
Asia, studied French in Paris, lived a corporate New York life and spent a year
working in East Africa for her church before settling in France and raising her
family. She is open and honest about the good and the bad times; including family loss
and depression and talks about her religion, as it is a part of her, but
without preaching. I will admit to being reluctant to start reading this memoir
because of the religious content, but I was wrong. In talking openly about it
she adds an extra dimension to her life and the memoir, but there is never any talk of
her way being the only way.
Jennie has achieved so much in
her life, had so many (good and bad) experiences and has helped people all over the world, but
is sadly plagued by self-doubt and anxiety. Through this book she has shown me that
it is possible for people with different cultures and religions to live in
harmony and even enhance each other’s lives and that there is more to religion
than war or conflict. I hope one day she is able to appreciate her achievements. I finished the book in tears and my only regret is that
this book lingered on my kindle for far too long before I got around
to reading it.
A Lady in France is available in
ebook and paperback format and links to Amazon can be found below. You can also follow Jennie at her blog here.
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