Sarah Turnbull (1)

Sarah Turnbull, Australian TV reporter, took a year off to explore Europe as a freelance journalist and experience various cultures. She started in Romania where she had an offer to work on a documentary film. While there she met a French lawyer, there on business. They hit it off and he invited her to Paris. After several phone conversations and her project finished she headed to Paris. She scheduled an Australian girlfriend, living in London to visit her in Paris after 5 days to give her and Frederic an out, should either need it. But Paris and Frederic pulled her in. The week stretched to 4 and then a decision was made.
Sarah went off to continue her travels through England, Greece, Istanbul and back to Romania, where some final editing on the film was done. But Frederic and Paris were pulling her and she decided that the relationship was worth making a move to Paris. So begins a journey to understand and adapt to French culture.
Sarah relates her gaffs, her insecurities and her efforts to fit in, sometimes over analyzing what her problems are. Frederic proves to be supportive and informative, but confused about some of the things that she perceives as problems. Although at times, I didn't understand her generalizations about the French culture, based on the instances she uses to explain them, I was able to understand her point. Gradually she learns to pick the things she needs to adjust to and not stress the rest. Frederic also makes changes to build on the relationship. Enjoyable read.… (more)

This explained so much of my experience in France. Just what I needed, just the right time! Now I will go and imagine that I'm a chair... :)

Edit: I just read what some other people thought of the book and I was surprised that so many people disliked it. I get if you don't like the writing style, but the other major criticism seemed to be that we don't see the love story between Sarah & Frédéric. I guess it was advertised that way. For me, it wasn't about their love story but the relationship between Sarah and France. And yes, I've had so many similar experiences! And I love the way, even though frustrating at times, she does adjust to France and makes it her home. Also, I felt that the whole living between two countries came across really well. And the way she's not French, but she's not really Australian anymore either.… (more)