Memoir "Monday": a review of My Life In France

If you haven't been fond of cooking before reading this book, you will want it to consume your life after. If you haven't visited France before reading this book, you will be booking a flight by the end of it.

It truly is not an easy task to review a memoir. How do you critique someone's own story, written in their own words? Even my review of Educated felt more like a description of what to expect rather than a true review. However, while I do not especially enjoy reading non-fiction in general, I love memoirs. So either, as this blog continues to grow, I forego reviewing non-fiction altogether and I stick to fiction only; or my reviews of memoirs will just feel a little bit different from my other reviews. I suppose you will simply have to stay along for the ride and find out with me!

All that aside, here is my review of Julia Child's memoir, My Life In France.

1. This book reads like a journal. There is no distinct "beginning, middle, and end," but you will not be bored.
   

2. If you love food, you will love this book-- even if you don't fully understand the French words for certain dishes.
   

3. Julia Child truly seems like she is "one of us," and really, for the most part, she is. You know, except for the fact that she was a spy for the U.S. during WWII. But that aside, she definitely seems like she was a lovely down-to-earth woman, who got to live out the fantasy of living abroad in Europe for much of her life.
   

4. You will adore her love story with her husband. They will make you believe in love again.
   

5. In reading this book, you will be inspired to follow your dreams, and push through even when it is difficult. You will also be reminded that you are never too old, and it is never too late, to start pursuing your dreams.

In short: read My Life In France. When you are done, I highly recommend booking a trip to France at your earliest convenience, and purchasing Mastering the Art of French Cooking as your next cookbook. Additionally, I would recommend watching Julie and Julia-- a delightful movie based on My Life In France, starring Meryl Streep as Julia Child.