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| Sweet Encore by Karen Wheeler |
My review today is for the fourth memoir by Karen Wheeler, Sweet Encore; a road trip from Paris to Portugal, that also takes us to her home in rural France along the way.
There is something very
comforting about Karen’s writing style and being back in one of her memoirs is
like meeting up with an old friend for a good girly catch-up. Life in her
French village is moving on, the bar has re-opened, other new faces are arriving
and changes are afoot for Karen too. Rural France might not have the fast pace
and excitement of city living, but that doesn’t mean it is dull either, especially
as Karen has a gift of noticing the little things and sharing them in a way
that made me smile.
In this book Karen and
her dog Biff are joined by Arianna, her niece; sent to Auntie Carrie’s reform
school for the summer – well that is what her Dad is hoping. Worried that rural
France might not live up to teenager Arianna’s expectations, Karen thinks big.
What better way to bond with her niece (who lives on the other side of the
world) than hop in a car and take a road trip through France, northern Spain
and into Portugal? Along the way Karen shares with us the sights they see,
lessons she hopes Arianna will remember and more importantly the fun and
laughter they enjoyed too. Those who have read Tout Soul will understand Karen’s
desire to visit Portugal, home to her friend Luis, and there are some very
moving moments when their road trip arrives in his village. I’ve never been to
Portugal, but Karen’s descriptions and obvious love for it, especially the pastéis de nata (custard tarts) and Vinho Verde (local white wine), made it
seem to be worth a visit just to sample them.
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| France in Four Seasons by Karen Wheeler |
When I read Sweet
Encore it was Karen’s latest memoir about life in France, but for those of you
who enjoy her writing as much as I do, I’m delighted to let you know there is a
new baby in her series of books. France in Four Seasons, with the same gorgeous
artwork that entices you into all her books, is out now as an ebook. This is a
collection of short stories and articles she has written over the years about
her French village life. It is like a catch up as well as a revisit – some new
stories, some felt more familiar, but all are 100% Karen and packed full of her
fabulous descriptions. I was also delighted when she asked to include my France et Moi interview with her in the
book – I wonder can I now class myself as almost published?
If you are looking for
some easy-read books to help take you away from the gloom of winter, these two
will be perfect.
You can read my reviews
of Karen’s previous books here:
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