My Life in France
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Julia's story of her transformative years in France in her own words is "captivating ... her marvelously distinctive voice is present on every page.” (San Francisco Chronicle).
Although she would later singlehandedly create a new approach to American cuisine with her cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking and her television show The French Chef, Julia Child was not always a master chef. Indeed, when she first arrived in France in 1948 with her husband, Paul, who was to work for the USIS, she spoke no French and knew nothing about the country itself.
But as she dove into French culture, buying food at local markets and taking classes at the Cordon Bleu, her life changed forever with her newfound passion for cooking and teaching. Julia’s unforgettable story—struggles with the head of the Cordon Bleu, rejections from publishers to whom she sent her now-famous cookbook, a wonderful, nearly fifty-year long marriage that took the Childs across the globe—unfolds with the spirit so key to Julia’s success as a chef and a writer, brilliantly capturing one of America’s most endearing personalities.
Although she would later singlehandedly create a new approach to American cuisine with her cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking and her television show The French Chef, Julia Child was not always a master chef. Indeed, when she first arrived in France in 1948 with her husband, Paul, who was to work for the USIS, she spoke no French and knew nothing about the country itself.
But as she dove into French culture, buying food at local markets and taking classes at the Cordon Bleu, her life changed forever with her newfound passion for cooking and teaching. Julia’s unforgettable story—struggles with the head of the Cordon Bleu, rejections from publishers to whom she sent her now-famous cookbook, a wonderful, nearly fifty-year long marriage that took the Childs across the globe—unfolds with the spirit so key to Julia’s success as a chef and a writer, brilliantly capturing one of America’s most endearing personalities.
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Community Reviews
Living, breathing and especially eating her work, Julia Child lived with a single-minded passion. It is exciting to learn about someone who is so clearly doing what they are meant to be doing. Hers was a passionate life, filled with curiosity, daring, and hard work.
Inspiring
Who doesn't love Julia Child?? Even tho I don't like to cook, I've always loved the IDEA of cooking. And lately I've been watching the Julia TV series with the amazing Sarah Lancashire, and so I'm back on a Julia Child kick.
Child takes us with her on not only her love of French food and the cooking process but also includes all of the beautiful places and people she encounters along the way.
Who doesn't love Julia Child?? Even tho I don't like to cook, I've always loved the IDEA of cooking. And lately I've been watching the Julia TV series with the amazing Sarah Lancashire, and so I'm back on a Julia Child kick.
Child takes us with her on not only her love of French food and the cooking process but also includes all of the beautiful places and people she encounters along the way.
I absolutely LOVED this book. What an intelligent, honest, fun-loving adventure filled with wit and sheer deliciousness! I will never again think of her recipes as "just recipes" but instead as her tried and true labors of love. Her story is an absolute delight!
Of course, I expected foody stories and recipes but I was completely taken by surprise at her beautiful, enthusiastic descriptions of France, the French people, and their food. Her sense of adventure sets the tone for her story and it rarely wanes. Being a bit apprehensive upon their arrival, she describes her first sight of France from the ship:
She and Paul had a wonderful marriage and it was such fun to learn about their relationship. While attending cooking school she referred to Paul as a Cordon Bleu Widower. But he was her biggest supporter.
She projects such a positive attitude and witty, fun metaphors. For example, "Driving in France was always a competitive sport" and "This was our first true mistral, the notorious windstorm, and it was so exhilarating it was hard to think straight". How about this one: "...Wharton let him have it with a couple of wonderfully earthy zingers, including 'You can't fertilize a five-acre field by farting through the fence!'..."
There were a few times that they spent Christmas in England with friends and preparing Grand Marnier Souffle became their annual tradition. This intrigued me and my friend who lent me the book, so we decided to give her recipe a try (in Mastering the Art of French Cooking). Ooh la la! It was fantastic!!! I had never tasted or baked souffle before but I'm here to tell you it was amazing; Golden and slightly crisp on the outside with fluffy deliciousness inside. I couldn't believe we had made it ourselves. It may very possible become a holiday tradition of our own.
Let me close by saying if you see a book with Julia Child's name on it, don't question or hesitate. Simply pick it up and read it. You'll enjoy every word.
Of course, I expected foody stories and recipes but I was completely taken by surprise at her beautiful, enthusiastic descriptions of France, the French people, and their food. Her sense of adventure sets the tone for her story and it rarely wanes. Being a bit apprehensive upon their arrival, she describes her first sight of France from the ship:
My gaze stopped on a burly, gruff man with a weathered face and a battered, smoldering cigarette jutting from the corner of his mouth. His giant hands waved about in the air above his head as he shouted something to someone.....His swollen belly and thick shoulders were encased in overalls....and he had an earthy, amusing quality that began to ease my anxiety.
So THAT's what a real Frenchman looks like, I said to myself. He's hardly Adolphe Menjon. Thank goodness, there are actual blood-and-guts people in this country!
She and Paul had a wonderful marriage and it was such fun to learn about their relationship. While attending cooking school she referred to Paul as a Cordon Bleu Widower. But he was her biggest supporter.
Julie's cookery is actually improving, Paul wrote Charlie. I didn't quite believe it would, just between us, but it really is. It's simpler, more classical...I envy her this chance. It would be such fun to be doing it at the same time with her.
She projects such a positive attitude and witty, fun metaphors. For example, "Driving in France was always a competitive sport" and "This was our first true mistral, the notorious windstorm, and it was so exhilarating it was hard to think straight". How about this one: "...Wharton let him have it with a couple of wonderfully earthy zingers, including 'You can't fertilize a five-acre field by farting through the fence!'..."
There were a few times that they spent Christmas in England with friends and preparing Grand Marnier Souffle became their annual tradition. This intrigued me and my friend who lent me the book, so we decided to give her recipe a try (in Mastering the Art of French Cooking). Ooh la la! It was fantastic!!! I had never tasted or baked souffle before but I'm here to tell you it was amazing; Golden and slightly crisp on the outside with fluffy deliciousness inside. I couldn't believe we had made it ourselves. It may very possible become a holiday tradition of our own.
Let me close by saying if you see a book with Julia Child's name on it, don't question or hesitate. Simply pick it up and read it. You'll enjoy every word.
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