As with Normandy Tapestry, Alan’s writing style is straight forward and to the point, so don’t go expecting Sunday broad-sheet prose. Just read it for what it is, a Normandy Tapestry sequel which picks up the story six months later, telling of a normal English family uprooting themselves to France. Remember Alan did this in the eighties when we didn’t have the Internet to use for email and research so the Biggins family had to learn lessons as they went along. At that time going to live in rural France really was a leap into the unknown.

I intend to move to France one day, and although I already intended to do as much research as possible before hand, reading “Selling French Dreams” has really underlined that, as new traps and pitfalls that await the unprepared came to light in each chapter.

So if you enjoyed Normandy Tapes you will find this an interesting follow-on. If you haven't read Normandy Tapestry it still makes a good read on its own.


Selling French Dreams   July 1, 2003
 3 out of 4 found this review helpful

Great book, loved it, could not put it down. We now live in France and bought this book on the ferry on one of our last visits before the permanent move. We were fighting over it - wish we had bought a copy each. It is so true to life and especially for us as the author lived in the area we have now settled in. Whilst it isn't all praise for the French way of life, (well life is not meant to be perfect anyway), it is down to earth and accurate and witty at the same time. Everything you want from a good book. All the early problems Alan and his family faced in their new life, we have encountered too. Do not read it with a view that it should be a practical guide but enjoy it for what it is - a witty, enjoyable, truthful account of everyday life in modern,(supposedly) France. I throughly recommend it and make sure you buy Normandy Tapestry too, that is equally as good. Don't keep us waiting too long for the 3rd one.


Not the best   June 11, 2003
 5 out of 6 found this review helpful

Having lived in Europe and USA for many years and planning to relocate again to France in the near future, I read with interest books such as this. However, this one proved somewhat disappointing. While the first half was quite informative I found the writer quite self indulgent in his approach and also slightly boastful. The second part was mostly a history of Paris and northern France, which in itself important,did not give the reader the information about buying and selling in any depth. While warnings about the perils of buying in France were mentioned many times I really did not find any real emphasis to assist the newly arrived Brit in avoiding the traps or reefs as they were called. French food did not really feature and I feel many would have loved to read descriptions of the long lunches taken with friends and neighbours in the beautiful Normandy countryside.

I shall read the Normandy Tapestry when it arrives in the library to get an even perspective. I was also sad to learn the family returned to England.