Status
Available
Collection
Publication
New York, N.Y., U.S.A. : Dutton, c1997.
Description
A witty look at French and American cultures. It begins when an American woman arrives in Paris to help her sister divorce an aristocratic husband who has taken off with another woman. The couple have a child and the two families, French and American, clash over its future. By the author of Persian Nights.
User reviews
LibraryThing member gooutsideandplay
An unpleasant book, which I was attracted to because it supposedly details the main character's challenges in learning to speak French. I also read Le Marriage which for some reason I have no memory of. I think this will be the last book I read by her.
LibraryThing member hockeycrew
I had just finished taking a course in french culture when I read this book. In that sense it was interesting. Otherwise, I wasn't crazy about it. Although I sort of like how it ends.
LibraryThing member AgentJade
I bought this book because it had a really compelling blurb on the back: it sounded like such a good book.
I don't think it will really be worth your time.
There are some light, enjoyable moments. I enjoyed the French v. American culture play and some of the narrator's (Isabel's)
But there was just something lacking; I almost didn't make it all the way through.
I don't think it will really be worth your time.
There are some light, enjoyable moments. I enjoyed the French v. American culture play and some of the narrator's (Isabel's)
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introspection/thoughts. Perhaps this is why Ms. Francine Prose lists it among dozens of classic and contemporary book she thinks all aspiring writers and lovers of books should read "immediately"....But there was just something lacking; I almost didn't make it all the way through.
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LibraryThing member melissavenable
My sister gave me this book to read on a long plane ride and I loved it. This story of two sisters and their lives, crises, and adventures is entertaining and informational (French culture, food, fashion, cafes). Another book I hoped would keep going.
LibraryThing member bakersfieldbarbara
Le Divorce is a fun book to read, written as a non-fiction but clearly a novel. Following Isabel Walker's antics is fun, and comparing her sister and her different outlooks on life can be amusing. I started the book, put it down, picked it up again, and then stayed up until early morning reading
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it. Excellent author, making the characters come to life. Show Less
LibraryThing member guiltlessreader
Yes this is chick lit, but it's not fluff. A social commentary of a young woman, family relations, love relations, etc. in France. A good read, realistic. But if you don't know French, you may struggle a bit when french phrases and sentences find their way into the text.
LibraryThing member m.belljackson
Plot was intriguing and fun to follow.
Characters were alternately bewildering and amusing:
"I know I am dumb about speaking French...."
Though adultery appears commonplace in this book,
it felt like a lack of character for Isabel to so easily betray
another woman with a husband so open to a
Not only did the ending feel contrived, with no explanation of how
the murderer knew they would be at EuroDisney,
but the author and her main character's complete disdain and lack of respect
for the never-ending French cruelty of foie gras was painful to read.
Would she have joined in with bull-fighting in Spain or seal hunts in Canada?
Characters were alternately bewildering and amusing:
"I know I am dumb about speaking French...."
Though adultery appears commonplace in this book,
it felt like a lack of character for Isabel to so easily betray
another woman with a husband so open to a
Show More
mistress.Not only did the ending feel contrived, with no explanation of how
the murderer knew they would be at EuroDisney,
but the author and her main character's complete disdain and lack of respect
for the never-ending French cruelty of foie gras was painful to read.
Would she have joined in with bull-fighting in Spain or seal hunts in Canada?
Show Less
Awards
National Book Award (Finalist — Fiction — 1997)
Commonwealth Club of California Book Awards (Gold Medal — Fiction — 1997)