― Ellen Sussman, French Lessons
“Why does naming a thing give it so much power?”
― Ellen Sussman, French Lessons
“We don't need to talk. We need to love.”
― Ellen Sussman, French Lessons
 |
| French Lessons by Ellen Sussman Published: July 2011 Buy: Amazon or B&N Format: Paperback Source: Library |
When I first saw this book on Goodreads, I thought it might be a decent read for my sorority book club. Then it didn't get chosen and I'd all but forgotten it. Then at the library, I saw it again, refreshed my memory and decided to bring it home. My hopes weren't too high, as I seldom like books like these (adult contemporary). I was so pleasantly surprised. This was one of those rare books that I sat down with, walked away from, and returned happily. I read this in just about two days. I wasn't trying to rush it, nor was I unable to put it down, I simply enjoyed reading it more than surfing the net or watching another TV show. Excellent job, Ms. Sussman. Hush now and tell everyone what the book is about!
This book is essentially broken into 5 parts. The first and last are short and show the relationships between three private french tutors working in Paris.
The second is about Nico, a tutor, and Josie, an American french teacher. Josie is in Paris nursing her broken heart. Perhaps, luckily she is paired with Nico the bleeding-hearted poet.
The third is about Phillipe, a tutor and horrendous flirt, and Riley, a lonely expatriate mother living in Paris. Riley moved to Paris with her small beginnings of a family and has failed to fall in love with the city as she'd hoped. She hasn't even managed to learn the language after a full year!
The fourth is about Chantal, a beautiful Parisian tutor, and Jeremy, the American husband of a Hollywood actress. Jeremy is a man out of his comfort zone. He's a homebody and would prefer to stay in his home in California, but his wife drag him to Paris with her to shoot a film.
Each person involved will learn things about them selves they never would have guessed.
I adored this book. It was such a lovely story about personal growth and knowledge! It's also a story of love and heartbreak and family and happiness and sadness and... ALL THE EMOTIONS! It is certainly an adult novel that touches on some very mature content, and I loved it. After almost solely reading YA lit, it was a nice wake-up call into the real world of adult life that I've begun to dabble in.
For the characters, I related most to Chantal. Maybe not all of her at the moment, but some of her now and some of her in the past. One quote in particular hooked me to her more than anything else. Jeremy asks her "What are you drawn to?" and she replies with an answer straight from my heart: "Language. Words. No, not teaching. Perhaps one day I'll write something." I just... too many emotions in those couple of lines to even express! I also really loved Josie's story and I love the relationship Nico and Josie develop. I liked Phillipe and Riley the least. I couldn't find myself even semi relating to either. I don't have a family to relate to Riley and I can't imagine being like Phillipe.
Over all, this book is definitely a 5 star book! Perhaps it's the Linguist or the French major in me, or perhaps it's the realist and the romantic, whatever it is, this book struck a chord and I'm so glad I read it. If you like thought provoking adult novels, this one may just be to your liking. If you like travel literature that ends with the characters learning about themselves, you will most likely love this. I find it difficult to recommend this to a "type" of person because it's such a great book. I want to just recommend it to everyone, but it may not be your forte. It's still a wonderful book and if it begins to interest you at all, I highly highly recommend it!
Have you read French Lessons? What did you think about it? Which character did you connect with or like most?