We all have our obsessions in life, right now mine is running but sometimes it is cooking, or candy or chicken farming. I can't imagine what it would be like to have an obsession, or I guess a passion which lasted for over 20 years- or after reading My Life in France I guess I can. This book part autobiography, part biography by Julia Child with Alex Prud'homme is a story of love at first sight, and the choice to keep on loving no matter what adversity that love would bring. Julia fell in love with France, and food and with her sweetheart, Paul Child. Not only did she love food, she loved other people to love it too and so she wrote a number of cookbooks targeted at the American cook on her favourite subject-French cuisine. These books filled her life, consumed her thoughts, took her time more than many of us would have given for a dream. But after reading this book and getting to know Julia the way I do now, I don't know what would have been able to anchor her energy if she hadn't had it focused on these cookbook projects and then later on, the TV shows. Her determination is nothing but astonishing.

Julia Child's over-the-top expressions and larger-than-possible gestures bloom through the pages of this book and made me laugh over and over and over. I have seen her cooking show, and I watched Meryl Streep's impersonation of this eccentric gentle giant,none of which  have left me doubtful of Child's well deserved claim to fame, however My Life in France is what made me fall completely in love with her. I love her clown-like and completely lovable qualities. I am not obsessed, as I would consider one certain Julie Powell type level of obsession-still I am in awe and admiration of Julia Child (and Paul for that matter) for so many reasons beyond entertainment's sake. Mostly that they just didn't quit, they loved, loved strong, loved fast and hard and when adversity struck they loved harder and held each other tighter. My life in France is not just the story of Julia Child, as Julia would only be half of what she was without Paul Child.

My Life in France is an extremely gallant  attempt to narrate and contain the larger than life story of Julia Child. I do believe as much as that woman can be contained, and although I caught her stretching off the pages towards me, this book does the job spectacularly. If you enjoyed the film Julie & Julia, or if you like cooking or would like to be inspired to reach a goal and conquer a dream- snap this read up!!! I wholeheartedly recommend this book!! (It earns my top of the top award of Stellar Five Chicken Book)

Paul and Julia were keen on sending out lovely valentines like this every year. Too cute!

Bon appétit!

ISBN:9780307277695

Author: Julia Child and Alex Prud'homme

Publisher: Anchor Books

Author: Julia Child with Alex Prud'homme

Author: Child, Julia

Author:Prud'homme, Alex

Subject: History, Cooking, Personal Memoirs

Cookery, french

Copyright: 2007

Publication Date: October 2007

Pages:352Did you read this?? What did you think? Would you consider yourself a cooking fanatic?

Share/Save