Oh I don't know. I didn't really like the characters and it took be until about half way through to actually get into it. Seemed a mish-mash really, never getting to know the characters at all. At least one of the characters should have been developed more than the rest. I also probably should have had a french-english dictionary at hand while reading but I couldn't be bothered.

I love Diane Johnson's way of making a mountain out of a molehill, and stretching the story lines to conclusions one would never have come to on their own.

I could barely manage finishing this book, the story line is weak, the love triangle is blah and the murder does not provoke the least bit of interest, nor does the marriage.

funny and light

These books are enjoyable, though they do make me hate French people a bit, which may not be the intention.

A good time killer for the francophile.

A novel written by an author desperately trying to sound sophisticated and witty, but lacking both qualities. Utter trash. Boo hiss.

About the state of being married, in France, amongst French-American ex-pats.

8/10/2004

Not at all what I expected. Not very satisfying either.

This was a fun book to read, not always completely believable, but I really liked the parts about the misunderstandings and prejudices of the Americans toward the French, and vice versa. And the main male character was very believable, and likeable. I read this when I was sick and needed something amusing, and it was just what the doctor ordered. Years ago I read her book, Le divorce, which was also funny.

Meh. Or "le meh"? I was disappointed with this book, especially after the glowing reviews from the NY Review of Books, NYT, Chicago Tribune, etc. Definitely some good things going on and some fascinating characters, but there was too MUCH going on... and therefore, Johnson just can't give all the plot strings the attention they need. The whole manuscript thing went right over my head. I felt like I got to know Clara very well, but Tim remained an enigma. How was the situation back in Oregon resolved? Who knows. I recognized good writing and some interesting characters and insights, but it was all too cluttered for me to truly enjoy.