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"In this lushly written follow-up to Almost French, Sarah Turnbull explores a new paradise: Tahiti. Having shared her story in her bestselling memoir, Almost French, Australian writer Sarah Turnbull seemed to have had more than her fair share of dreams come true. While Sarah went on to carve out an idyllic life in Paris with her husband, Frederic, there was still one dream she was beginning to fear might be impossible-starting a family. Then out of the blue an opportunity to embark on another adventure offered a new beginning-and new hope. Leaving behind life in the world's most romantic and beautiful city was never going to be easy. But it helps when your destination is another paradise on earth: Tahiti. "--
Media reviews
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
I received this book through the Early Reviewers program. Honestly I probably would never have picked this book up at the bookstore. The book was very slow moving for me. It took me quite a while to finish reading it. Some parts of the book where interesting but other parts I just struggled to
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get through. For example, when there were discussions about other individuals like Matisse. I would totally lose focus during these parts. If these parts were taken out and replaced with more of her day to day experiences on Tahiti maybe it would have been better. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member Alphawoman
At first I thought the tone of this book was very sad, but as the book progressed so did the outlook. I throughly enjoyed Almost French which I read several years ago and was thrilled when I was awarded this book from the Early Reviewers cache this month. The descriptions involving Tahiti were at
Normally I would pass this book on so that others could enjoy...but I am keeping this one as I breezed thru it so quickly that I want to be able to go back and read at a more leisurly pace to soak the obserations and the growth in her character as she comes to terms with her infertility and then her motherhood! With her embrace of Tahiti and her insights into two famous painters who spent time living and absorbing the culture. those stories were fasinating as well.
All in all a fantastic read.
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times scary and at others absolutely enchanting.Normally I would pass this book on so that others could enjoy...but I am keeping this one as I breezed thru it so quickly that I want to be able to go back and read at a more leisurly pace to soak the obserations and the growth in her character as she comes to terms with her infertility and then her motherhood! With her embrace of Tahiti and her insights into two famous painters who spent time living and absorbing the culture. those stories were fasinating as well.
All in all a fantastic read.
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LibraryThing member mppreads
It took me a few chapters to get into this book, and if I hadn't been an early reviewer, I might have set it aside. I'm so glad I didn't do that. Sarah shares her life in Tahiti in vivid, lyrical detail, both the positive and negative aspects, with interesting historical information sprinkled
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throughout. Her personal ups and downs, including her challenges to conceive and finally getting pregnant, add to the quality of this memoir. Once I was hooked, I didn't want to put it down. Show Less
LibraryThing member triciasunfire
I received this book through the Early Reviewers program. Honestly I probably would never have picked this book up at the bookstore. The book was very slow moving for me. It took me quite a while to finish reading it. Some parts of the book where interesting but other parts I just struggled to get
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through. For example, when there were discussions about other individuals like Matisse. I would totally lose focus during these parts. If these parts were taken out and replaced with more of her day to day experiences on Tahiti maybe it would have been better. Show Less
LibraryThing member ColieCakes
I loved the imagery provoked in the descriptions of Tahiti, especially the vibrant colors underwater. It brought me back to my experiences of scuba diving and made me eager to do again. That being said, I probably wouldn't recommend this book to a friend. Yes, I think Sara Turnbull is a beautiful
It seemed like a fantasy novel I was reading instead of someone's personal life. Do real people just pick up and move to Tahiti and have a private lagoon in their backyard? Do they just get whisked away to Bora Bora for a week, all expenses paid? How many people are able to afford 7 attempts at IVF and fly back and forth to Australia to do so? I'm not trying to be cynical but it was not relate-able to the common reader. In no way did she make it seem like her experiences were exceptional or that she was gracious to have them.
I did like the scuba diving :)
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writer, but I wasn't really captured by the story. I felt for her as she longed to be a mother despite numerous attempts at IVF, but I wasn't expecting so much of this book to be centered around this issue of infertility. The book started off with travel, culture, art (which was awesome) and then switched gears to a detailed account of her and her husband trying to get pregnant. The failed attempts, the numerous procedures, the pain and grief, etc. I also felt that it was a slap in the face to couples that don't have the means they did to have a baby. It seemed like a fantasy novel I was reading instead of someone's personal life. Do real people just pick up and move to Tahiti and have a private lagoon in their backyard? Do they just get whisked away to Bora Bora for a week, all expenses paid? How many people are able to afford 7 attempts at IVF and fly back and forth to Australia to do so? I'm not trying to be cynical but it was not relate-able to the common reader. In no way did she make it seem like her experiences were exceptional or that she was gracious to have them.
I did like the scuba diving :)
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LibraryThing member erin1
I had read Sarah Turnbull's previous book, Almost French, and greatly enjoyed it so I was looking forward to her latest about moving from Paris to Tahiti. Tahiti does hold a tropical utopian thrall upon most of the world and Trunbull's description of both the spectacular and the not so spectacular
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was a fascinating read. The author's honesty about trying to live a life cut off from most of the world, struggling to overcome her writers block and overcoming her fertility issues made this an almost voyeuristic read. At times, I was almost uncomfortable reading about her struggles with infertility but her honest made me realize that the stigma surrounding it is very much alive and well, making her story that much more important. I look forward to reading what she publishes next. Show Less
LibraryThing member catfan69
In this memoir, Sarah Turnbull tells of relocating from Paris, France to Tahiti when her lawyer husband is transferred there for his job. Her two goals for their two-year stay in Tahiti are to complete the novel she is writing and to have a baby. Turnbull and her husband's stuggle with infertility
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are central to this book, and the reader is invited in to share their anguish in detail. While this book includes such emotional depth, what really draws in the reader are the detailed descriptions of life in Tahiti. The author uses imagery throughout the book so that the reader feels transported to paradise with Turnbull. Show Less
LibraryThing member Bonnie.Franks
I did not read this author's book Almost French. I did understand her feelings for France from reading this book. I felt she was great at describing her surroundings, the customs, her feelings toward new and unusual circumstances. I also appreciated her frustration during her process of IVF. While
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this is not my usual style of book, I have to say I enjoyed it as the writing is good and the story mostly flowed. Show Less
LibraryThing member Amusedbythis
I received this book as an early reviewer. I had read Sarah Turnbull's "Almost French," which described her relocation to Paris and anxiously anticipated reading "All Good Things." I am sorry to say that I was disappointed in this work.
I anticipated that "All Good Things" would be more descriptive
There are many holes in her account and the book is generally not up to expectations.
I anticipated that "All Good Things" would be more descriptive
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of the persons that Turnbull met in Tahiti. Her home, scuba diving and swimming forays are portrayed as word pictures but most of the book seems to be centered on her desire to have a child; her efforts to conceive through IVF in Paris, Tahiti and Australia, and the birth of her son. There are many holes in her account and the book is generally not up to expectations.
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LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
Ms. Turnbull shares her life living in Tahiti, with its co-mingling of paradise and prison - of hope and longing and fear and joy. I liked that she was unafraid to present both the darker side of her moods and experiences as well as the moments of grace and illumination.
LibraryThing member frogprof
Well, I'm ready to move to la Polynésie française any day now ... Turnbull's book will transport you across the sea to a slower pace of life on a blue lagoon [without Brooke Shields, Dieu merci].
Sarah Turnbull is an Australian who married a Frenchman and lived with him in Paris for nearly a
They adjust slowly to Polynesian life -- the fact that Moorea, the island where they make their home, is French territory perhaps helps a bit -- and although there are bumps in the road, they find friendships with their neighbors and learn to live more slowly and "intentionally." They challenge themselves with scuba-diving and Sarah starts seeing a therapist (a doctor whose patient roster is apparently full of despondent ex-pats, among others), who tells her, with respect to her dream of having a baby, "It's not a crime to hope."
Frédéric and Sarah decide to head to Australia for "one last try" at IVF -- infertility research has made some strides since their last attempt -- and with family support they are hopeful for success. (No spoilers here!) Finally, after several years on "island time," Frédéric is offered the opportunity to open a branch of his law firm in Sydney -- Sarah's hometown -- so they pack everything up and move across yet another ocean. The job falls through, though, and they travel around the perimeter -- or a lot of it -- for 9 months in a camper. I can't wait for THAT book!
Along with lyrical descriptions of the sky and sea, Turnbull throws in quite a bit of art history, with stories of Matisse and Gauguin's stays in the region and Polynesia's influence on their art. This is a lovely book and I recommend it.
Sarah Turnbull is an Australian who married a Frenchman and lived with him in Paris for nearly a
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decade, until Frédéric's law firm asks him to move to French Polynesia. The couple have been trying for years -- via IVF, ultimately -- to have a baby, with no luck ... and Sarah thinks moving to an island might do the trick -- it'll be a fresh start in more ways than one.They adjust slowly to Polynesian life -- the fact that Moorea, the island where they make their home, is French territory perhaps helps a bit -- and although there are bumps in the road, they find friendships with their neighbors and learn to live more slowly and "intentionally." They challenge themselves with scuba-diving and Sarah starts seeing a therapist (a doctor whose patient roster is apparently full of despondent ex-pats, among others), who tells her, with respect to her dream of having a baby, "It's not a crime to hope."
Frédéric and Sarah decide to head to Australia for "one last try" at IVF -- infertility research has made some strides since their last attempt -- and with family support they are hopeful for success. (No spoilers here!) Finally, after several years on "island time," Frédéric is offered the opportunity to open a branch of his law firm in Sydney -- Sarah's hometown -- so they pack everything up and move across yet another ocean. The job falls through, though, and they travel around the perimeter -- or a lot of it -- for 9 months in a camper. I can't wait for THAT book!
Along with lyrical descriptions of the sky and sea, Turnbull throws in quite a bit of art history, with stories of Matisse and Gauguin's stays in the region and Polynesia's influence on their art. This is a lovely book and I recommend it.
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LibraryThing member sionna
I was an early reviewer for this book. I loved her first book, Almost French, which really highlighted for me the cultural differences between "anglo saxons" and the French. This one had some of that but was more about her journey to Tahiti as well as her personal quest to have a child, which was
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moving. I enjoyed this book. I didn't know anything about Tahiti and the author gives us some interesting historical background as well as her often lyrical descriptions of the tropical paradise. Although she does present some of the underside as well, such as crime. I find her writing style very engaging and she seems very likeable, as she does not shy away from poking fun at herself. All in all, a good read. Show Less
LibraryThing member mtbearded1
I would hope that all of us who consider Paris their second home would have read Sarah Turnbull's Almost French. I loved her take on the trials and tribulations, the joys and concerns, of learning how to live in the City of Light. It was with great pleasure, then, that I found my early reviewer
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choice of All Good Things at my front door a few days ago. I immediately set aside the book I was reading, and dove into Turnbull's account of swimming in the South Pacific when she and her husband take on the challenge of setting up a home and (for her husband) a business in French Polynesia. Turnbull is a masterful writer, no matter the difficulties she details with her writer's block and creative challenges. At times she reminds me of the early Annie Dillard. Her descriptions of the underwater life in the lagoons of Polynesia teem with the activity surrounding her as she swims, snorkels, dives with Scuba gear around the various islands and atolls of her new home. The incredibly personal story of her quest to become a mother was heartbreaking to read, and ultimately a wonderful read. I would gladly read anything by Sarah Turnbull, so much have I loved Almost French and All Good Things. Show Less
LibraryThing member kerinlo
I haven't read Almost French, so I didn't know what to expect of All Good Things or of Sarah Turnbull. I found that I was drawn into her story easily- that even though I haven't lived in Tahiti or France or struggled with infertility- I was able to connect with her story on a personal level. I
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enjoy her writing style because it is sincere. Her word choices are lovely and her descriptions poignant. My favorite quote from the narrative is her description just before heading to Sydney for IVF because it resonates with hope and renewal, "From the beach I watched little whitecaps scutter to shore. The air on my face was fresh. Fingers crossed, it was a lucky wind blowing from the south." A great read. Show Less
LibraryThing member bobbieharv
I loved this book. Turnbull has combined all the elements that, to my mind, make for a perfect memoir: wonderful writing (flowing, metaphoric, but accessible), exotic location, and a personal, self-disclosing style.
At first I thought it was just going to be about Turnbull and her husband's
Then, an extra added bonus: Turnbull is Australian, and the book ends with the family living in Australia, where I am headed today.
I hope she writes a third memoir about their life there. I missed her when this book ended.
At first I thought it was just going to be about Turnbull and her husband's
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adaptation to Tahiti, after living in France for several years (her first memoir, Almost French, is about that time - have to read that next!). But soon she began writing about their unsuccessful attempts to get pregnant in France and the resulting anguish - and the flashbacks to France made the book even more enjoyable.Then, an extra added bonus: Turnbull is Australian, and the book ends with the family living in Australia, where I am headed today.
I hope she writes a third memoir about their life there. I missed her when this book ended.
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LibraryThing member julie.martinez
I never read Almost French, but heard great things about it. I was really expecting a book about adjusting again to a new cultural experience, and while that happened in this book, it was really a very personal account. It was touching and now I feel like I might have to track down Sarah's other
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book. Show Less
LibraryThing member bpompon
I was excited to receive this book as an Early Reviewer copy. I had read Sarah Turnbull's earlier book "Almost French" and really enjoyed it. She has an amazing ability to make you feel as though you are living right along side her. In this book, I got a real feel for what Tahiti is like to live
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there, both the good and the not so idealistic. Show Less
LibraryThing member momweaver
Having read Almost Paris, I knew that I was in for an entertaining adventure. This is a story about Turnbull and her husband moving to Tahiti. What could be better?
LibraryThing member mjirsch
**recieved as an early reviewer**
I really enjoyed this book. It is wonderfully written, including vivid scenes of intersting travels as well as thoughtful insights regarding the author's personal experiences. I read as though I was listening to a friend. The book includes interesting antedates
I really enjoyed this book. It is wonderfully written, including vivid scenes of intersting travels as well as thoughtful insights regarding the author's personal experiences. I read as though I was listening to a friend. The book includes interesting antedates
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about the culture, history and politics of Tahiti. I can't wait to read what's next! Show Less
LibraryThing member chris227
This is a poignant biographical tale of Sarah, as she and her husband are relocated from France to the Polynesian islands. Turnbull is able to vividly recount details of the islands and provide historical accounts of artists and writers who traveled there. It is also a story of longing, mourning,
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tribulation, and joy. At times the island descriptives are a bit prolonged. Show Less
LibraryThing member Godsgirl
She is a very good writer, with many wonderful descriptions in the story. But i found myself wanting more dialogue to carry the plot along. I loved her vivid descriptions that made you feel like you were really there. Now I want to read the book that came before this about Paris!
LibraryThing member lahochstetler
This book chronicles the author's move from Paris to French Polynesia When her husband is transferred to Tahiti, the couple moved to the island of Mo'orea, a real-world tropical paradise. Much of the culture shock that Turnbull experiences is the sort that one might expect: life is more colorful,
Turnbull's time in Polynesia is heavily shaped by her desire to have children and her difficulties conceiving. Even before her move the author had been undergoing fertility treatments. Living on a island blooming with life and color and approaching her fortieth birthday, the desire to conceive looms large.
Location is everything in this book. While it covers three different places (Paris, Polynesia, and Australia), the most interesting parts were most definitely those on the islands. By the time the family had moved to Australia, I found myself getting somewhat bored. The descriptions of Tahiti and the surrounding islands are delightful. That's the reason to read this book.
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time is looser. Turnbull's descriptions are vivid, and I learned a great deal about French Polynesia. Many islands comprise the country, and Turnbull travels quite a bit, exploring the various island groups. I found myself looking at maps and researching the places she visited on the internet, to see photos of the places she described. Some of the Polynesian islands are exceedingly remote- essentially skinny coral rings surrounding large lagoons. The geography is fascinating, and throughout the book I thought quite a bit about what it must be like to live on a small island, out in the middle of the ocean, so far away from large land masses. Turnbull's time in Polynesia is heavily shaped by her desire to have children and her difficulties conceiving. Even before her move the author had been undergoing fertility treatments. Living on a island blooming with life and color and approaching her fortieth birthday, the desire to conceive looms large.
Location is everything in this book. While it covers three different places (Paris, Polynesia, and Australia), the most interesting parts were most definitely those on the islands. By the time the family had moved to Australia, I found myself getting somewhat bored. The descriptions of Tahiti and the surrounding islands are delightful. That's the reason to read this book.
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LibraryThing member kathyceo
I received this book through the early reviewers group however received it late do to my travels. I enjoyed it thoroughly! in fact upon completion I immediately downloaded her previous book. My husband is also European, and I spend a fair amount of time in his country with all of his friends
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without a sufficient command of the language, so maybe I related to this story a little bit more then I might have otherwise. Having been to Tahiti and several of the islands that she mentions I enjoyed imagining myself there and picturing some of her experiences. I found her style engaging and her little vignettes enjoyable. I will certainly seek out her next book. Show Less
LibraryThing member lamitchell99
I received a free advance copy of this book in exchange for a review. This book is a combination of travelogue, memoire, and history. If you like travelogues, you will like this book. The author describes Tahiti in very vivid and beautiful language, immersing the reader in the feeling and beauty of
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the islands. Swimming in the balmy lagoon and drift diving are described in rich and vibrant scenes. The author relates some of Tahiti’s history and, of more interest, stories of some of the famous painters who visited: Matisse and Gauguin. One learns of the warmth of the Tahitian people and a little of their customs, picking vanilla, family meals, and of the tensions in Tahiti between the traditional ways and modern ways introduced by the French. The saddest parts of the book were the descriptions of the author’s attempts at conceiving a child through IVF. “The mysterious science of creating new life,” as she described it, was filled with a roller coaster of more despair than hope, of dread and pain and clinical procedures. I kept looking for mention of the love between husband and wife, both emotional and physical, from which a child should be born, but such portrayals were sadly missing. Though there is no question that the child is loved, there is no love in the procedures that generated him. I do recommend this book, but travelogues are not at the top of my favorites list and it’s not one I couldn’t put down. Show Less
LibraryThing member maggie1944
All Good Things: From Paris to Tahiti: Life and Longing by Sarah Turnbull is a book given me by the Early Reviewer program. I don't know why it took me so long to read it, but probably I can chalk it up to eye surgery and recovery. My reading was definitely on and off this year. Selling my house
She wrote Almost French also which I did read and enjoyed. I think I'm a little put off by what might be termed "rich people writing memoirs as if they were literature"..... and in both this book and the earlier one I did find spots where I felt ennui of reading about her "hard life in Paris, and Tahiti".
But she does write well, and I was curious about her life (which I'd love to try to live), so I carried on; and then, she did a switcheroo on me and began to plumb the depths of a personal challenge. I do not want to spoil the book for someone who might like to read it, but I was converted. I began to like Sarah, and care about how her life was turning out. So, I think I'll give her four stars and suggest people who liked Eat, Drink, Pray* will like this book.
*what was the name of that book??? I obviously have remembered the wrong title.
ETA: ha ha ha The book is Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
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and moving back to my "manufactured home" might have been at fault also.She wrote Almost French also which I did read and enjoyed. I think I'm a little put off by what might be termed "rich people writing memoirs as if they were literature"..... and in both this book and the earlier one I did find spots where I felt ennui of reading about her "hard life in Paris, and Tahiti".
But she does write well, and I was curious about her life (which I'd love to try to live), so I carried on; and then, she did a switcheroo on me and began to plumb the depths of a personal challenge. I do not want to spoil the book for someone who might like to read it, but I was converted. I began to like Sarah, and care about how her life was turning out. So, I think I'll give her four stars and suggest people who liked Eat, Drink, Pray* will like this book.
*what was the name of that book??? I obviously have remembered the wrong title.
ETA: ha ha ha The book is Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
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LibraryThing member tandah
Sarah Turnbull is such a great writer - its there in the way way she describes Tahiti, her relationship with her family, her observations about people and activities and environments. But for me, the sadness she experienced as she was trying to fall pregnant was pervasive and too too often this
I really, really hope she's now working on some fabulous short non fiction pieces because her observations can be profound. Especially liked her observation (paraphrased) that whilst Australians are easy going, we're ferocious on petty rules and she described us as the Swiss of the South Pacific. This is the truth.
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book read as a personal journal, not a memoir.I really, really hope she's now working on some fabulous short non fiction pieces because her observations can be profound. Especially liked her observation (paraphrased) that whilst Australians are easy going, we're ferocious on petty rules and she described us as the Swiss of the South Pacific. This is the truth.
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Subjects
Language
Physical description
24 cm
ISBN
9780732288037
Local notes
Having shared her story in the bestselling Almost French, Sarah Turnbull seemed to have had more than her fair share of dreams come true. But there was still one dream she was beginning to fear might be impossible. Then out of the blue an opportunity to embark on another adventure offers a new beginning - and new hope. Leaving Paris behind was never going to be easy. But it helps when your destination is known as paradise on earth.