C'est la Vie: An American Conquers the City of Light, Begins a New Life, and Becomes--Zut Alors!--Almost French - Softcover

Gershman, Suzy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0670032697 ISBN 13: 9780670032693

Publisher: Viking Adult, 2004

Synopsis

Describes how the author, in the wake of her husband's death, decided to fulfill her long-standing dream of building a new life for herself in Paris, detailing her first year in the City of Light, her frustrating search for an apartment, the challenges of learning to become a Parisian, shopping, and more.

About this title

About the Author:

Suzy Gershman, author of FrommerÂ’s Born to Shop book series, has also been a travel-shopping columnist for Travel and Leisure as well as Travel Holiday. She has appeared on Oprah, CNN, the Today show, and Good Morning America and has been featured in People, USA Today, Family Circle, McCallÂ’s, and the International Herald Tribune.

From Publishers Weekly:

In the grand tradition of packing up and moving to Paris in the midst of a major life change, Gershman sets off for the City of Light seeking solace after the death of her husband. The 50-something author of Frommer's Born to Shop series had been to Paris many times and knew a handful of Parisians in the fashion, food and hotel businesses. But she spoke minimal French and was used to having a man handle tasks like changing light bulbs and having furniture delivered. In mini-essays and unadorned prose, Gershman relates her bumbles as she deals with finding an apartment, meeting friends, doing work, dating and, alas, changing light bulbs. The result is a book that's almost as much about learning to live on one's own after the death of a spouse as it is about moving to France. Gershman, who'd previously lived in a quaint southern Connecticut town, marvels over things she deems particularly Frenchal-though they could really happen anywhere. For example, her apartment's cable TV connection works, even though she didn't sign up for the service. Her French friends counsel her not to mention it to the cable company and to enjoy the extra channels. Gershman finds this "cheat-if-you-can" policy uniquely French. She treats other experiences similarly, e.g., going to different vendors for different culinary needs, or being sucked in to buying innovative products you never thought you might need. Nonetheless, Gershman's love for Paris is infectious, and her memoir sheds light on one version of expatriate living.
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About this edition

• Publisher: Viking Adult
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0670032697
• ISBN 13: 9780670032693
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288