Book Review: I Am Finally, Finally French by Mark Greenside
By Keith Van Sickle—Mark Greenside is at it again! First, “I’ll Never Be French” and the“(not quite) Mastering the Art of French Living”. Now comes “I Am Finally, Finally French”, a worthy successor.
Mark Greenside is at it again.
30 years ago, almost by accident, he bought a house in Brittany. He spends months there every year and has written two hilarious books about his French misadventures,
“I’ll Never Be French” and “(not quite) Mastering the Art of French Living”. Now comes “I Am Finally, Finally French”, a worthy successor.
Parlez-vous Français?
As in his previous books, many of the funniest moments revolve around Greenside’s limited ability to speak the language. Granted, his French has improved since he began: for example, he no longer calls milk jus de vache (cow juice). But, as a friend tells him,
You speak a French that no one else in the world would recognize as French.”
This leads to awkward moments, like the time he shocks friends by telling them I love my life in France”.
It turns out that “my life” is ma vie, while he instead says mon vie, thus expressing his love for something that can’t be described in polite company.
Greenside also needs lots of help, whether it’s with paperwork, technology, or when his old house has a problem. He’s become so well-known for this, and for his mangled French that people’s faces tend to fall when they see him coming. And while he always ends up with a solution to his problem, there can be a funny adventure along the way.
Forging Connections
Often, his need for help leads to friendship. People are kind, they fix his problem, and a connection is forged. And there’s no reason for language to get in the way, as when a certain Monsieur C. stops by to check his furnace.
Often, he’ll sit with me in the kitchen sipping coffee: two unshaven guys, me talking crazy French, him repeating, “No problème, no problème,” neither of us sure what the other is saying, nor caring. It’s our time together that counts, and the time is always good.”
And it’s not just with Monsieur C. Whether it’s a neighbor or a repairman or the pizza guy, Greenside has built friendships. Many, many friendships. He and his wife Donna enjoy a rich social life in France.
They take the time to enjoy meals with friends—at home, at the beach, at a village festival. There’s always time to enjoy another oyster or crepe, or a glass of cider. There’s time to look at the stars. It’s not the constant go go go of American life. As Greenside puts it:
In the US, I do. In France, I am.”
A Good Life
Unlike Greenside’s earlier books, this one can be wistful at times. He is getting older and is beginning to imagine the end of his time in France, which makes him appreciate it all the more.
He considers how deeply France and the French have changed him. A visitor once asked:
How did you ever succeed here?”
…and it stumped him because he had never seen his French life as successful.
As he puts it:
In a land where words and language are foreplay, I can’t play. I can’t read my mail, understand TV game shows, or join a regular, normal conversation; I need help, explanations, and interventions to use the phone or operate my clothes dryer.”
But upon reflection:
I see what people who are not me see: accomplishment, a full life, a good life, maybe even the good life.”
We should all be so lucky.
Image Credits
Book cover: Amazon
River, tomatoes, house: markgreenside.com
Crepe: Pixabay royalty-free images
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