Review: French Lessons
Three Americans in Paris, for three very different reasons, each hire a private French tutor on the same day. The relationship between the three tutors is complicated, but they each give their student their undivided attention for the day. The students are:
- Josie – a high school French teacher mourning the death of her lover
- Riley – an ex-pat housewife and mother, living in Paris, trying to figure out a way to make her adopted country feel like home
- Jeremy – the husband of a famous movie star who is in town while his wife shoots a movie
The three spend their days differently but end it the same way, each a little wiser.
I was really excited to listen to French Lessons, by Ellen Sussman (after all it takes place in Paris) but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. I liked it well enough, I just didn’t love it the way I hoped to.
Each student’s story is told separately and it seemed they ended at about the time I started to get attached to the characters. Told in the third person present tense, I felt a little removed from the story for some reason, so I never really connected with any of them, like I hoped to. The tutors each had their own story which were interesting, too, but they were secondary to the students’ stories.
I think my biggest problem with French Lessons was that I really wasn’t sure what the purpose of the story was as I finished the book. That might just be me, though. I know it sounds like I didn’t enjoy the book at all, but that’s not the case. I did enjoy it, I just didn’t love it like I thought I would. The Paris setting is wonderful and the book is a quick read, so it’s one to pick up if you need a foreign escape. I listened to the audio version which is read by Kathe Mazure, and she does an outstanding job. Her French accent is impeccable!
I picked this one up at Border’s for cheap
I’m looking forward to it.
I have trouble enjoying a book, if i’m not attached to the characters. This one sounds like it could have been a bit longer.
Interesting. I too have had that experience of not quite knowing what the purpose was. I’m glad to know that the narration was well done — maybe I’ll give it a try just to hear the accent!
Hmmmm. Do you think I’d enjoy this more in print?
Maybe if the stories had intertwined more (maybe using one teacher?) there would have been more to go on? Sorry this wasn’t a big hit, but it does sound like a nice, light read.
This has been on my booklist since the beginning of summer. I have such a soft spot for books set in France.
This is on my tbr list, thanks! for your review of it.
I have seen some mixed reviews on this one. It’s hard to love a book if you don’t connect to the characters. I’m glad you enjoyed it enough though even though you didn’t have that connection.
I seen this book on another site earlier this past week and thought of you. I am glad to see you read it, bummed it wasn’t a better read. I do like your thoughts about the audio though… I do love good audio!
I’m with you, Bermuda. I wasn’t sure about this one either. After reading your thoughts, I think I’ll pass on it.
I’m very intrigued by this one, and it sounds like it would be a good listen! A paperback copy is calling my name, though — hope I get to read it soon.
Interesting but can see why you’re disappointed. that stinks! Thanks for the review
Sorry this didn’t work as well for you as you had hoped.
I appreciate your honest feelings about this book.
It’s too bad that you didn’t feel a connection to any of the characters but you still liked it so it wasn’t a horrible read in the end. I wonder if I would’ve loved this book on audio? I read it and adored it big time.
Kathy, you and I are very much alike. I hate it when I finish a book and still have no idea what the purpose of it is. I think authors should have something authentic that drives them to write a book. I hope your next read is much better.
Sorry it wasn’t all you hoped it would be.
I often find that my expectations of a book aren’t met. Doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy the book just that I enjoyed it differently than I was thinking I would.
Books that create too much distance between me and the character bug me, I think I would not appreciate this one. Good review!
I felt about the same as you for the audio of this book. I think it needed more closure, maybe? I’m not sure. But I’m still wavering between liking it and feeling meh about it.
Not certain if this one would be for me.