Touché
A French Woman's Take on the English
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- $3.99
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- $3.99
Publisher Description
Why France and Britain are so different, and why they do things in opposite ways.
A brilliant and vigorous observer of both French and British societies, which she knows intimately, 32-year-old Agnes Catherine Poirier has spent the last ten years explaining the peculiarities of France to the British and of Britain to the French. Not an easy job.
Having studied both in Paris and London, writing in both languages for the French and British press, Agnes Catherine Poirier plays with national stereotypes, which are both stupid and dangerous, with dexterity and savoir faire. She goes beneath the surface to explain why France and Britain keep arguing and competing endlessly, why they are so different and why they do things in almost opposite ways.
Covering the worlds of art, politics, action, food, institutions, sex, history, media, society and philosophy, she tells us as much about us as why France is a nation apart.
Revenge for tabloid attacks on France or for British expats' invasions of Brittany and the Dordogne? You decide. But this will entertain and educate all readers about their own country and whether its 'entente' with La Belle France is 'cordiale' or not.
You may disagree with her but you may never see yourself in the same way again.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this series of sharply written, often funny essays tackling the English-French divide, a number of cultural sticking-points are examined with equal measures of affection, bewilderment, frustration and envy. Fascinated by politics and culture clashes from an early age, journalist Poirier (raised in France, currently living in the UK) dispenses with a brief nod to civility ("British friends, never doubt the admiration you inspire") before lighting into her neighbors across the channel with honesty and verve: disappointment with nearly-nonexistent public demonstrations (a staple of French life), disbelief at the British penchant for apology (which "verges on hypocrisy"), and affront at the scant respect given artists (long revered in France). Class politics, the UK's cool attitude toward a united Europe and British men (gentlemen or thugs?) also take a few licks, though she applauds England's inroads to French-style Cafe society. Poirier's commentary is thoughtful and good-natured even while delivering some wicked lumps: on Brits' love of animals, she observes that the Royal Family, following the death of one of the Queen's corgis, "hadn't displayed public grief like that since the Blitz." Also included are strong opinions on Americans, love, small talk and, of course, food: "My first step into the world of British chocolatier Cadbury felt like one of the best on-screen love scenes... played out in slow motion to the music of violins."
