First French Essais: Venturing into Writing, Marriage, and France

American Kristin Espinasse has compiled 28 pleasant essays about her life in France after she met and married a French man. The book grew out of her French Word-A-Day blog. As with each blog post, she includes a few French words and definitions in each chapter, as well as interesting photos. Essays touch on quaint customs, colorful observations, small human dramas, family anecdotes. Reading this book feels like strolling through gently rolling French countryside, finding a grassy spot for your blue-and-white-checked picnic cloth, and resting against your wicker picnic basket all afternoon to gaze quietly over farms and villages as little everyday French scenes play out before you.I have subscribed to and enjoyed Kristin’s blog for several years. As an American, I like discovering differences in French culture (like doggy bags and parking meters) along with Kristin. I like learning handy French words and expressions (like la bagnole for car) that often don’t show up in textbooks or even dictionaries. I believe First French Essais has more vocabulary than the blog, and I like that. In the book, for some odd reason, Kristin teaches that la belle-mère means the mother-in-law at least three times. After the first mention, she could have used the space on her vocabulary blackboard graphics for fresh words.And I would say that for the book’s language lessons to stick, a reader would have to already have some foundational grammar pegs to hang the new expressions on. Even if a reader did not pick up a single new French word, however, First French Essais: Venturing into Writing, Marriage, & France is an enjoyable read. The simple stories are charmingly well-told, and you can identify with the emotions of the people in the stories. Two bonuses at the end: a hidden-word puzzle and a dual-language story of how Monsieur Farjon, “the plant man,” ended up on the book’s cover. I enjoy Kristin’s openness to cross-cultural experiences and her candor about both failures and successes.

Kristin Espinasse is an American from Arizona who moved to France several years ago to marry her french boyfriend, Jean-Marc who she lovingly nicknamed "Chief Grape" since he's into the wine making business. As one who reads the author's blog, "French-Word-A-Day.com" I pretty much knew what to expect since the "French Essais" in this book were taken from some of her blogs written over the years. Her book (and her blog which is also written in English) take us to some of her interesting adventures in a foreign country and sometimes through trials and tribulations in living in France while trying to adapt to a new language and a new culture while raising two kids. Through Kristin's stories, we also meet some of her neighbors and colorful locals. What I didn't expect was the many beautiful photos throughout this book that the author has taken and they're all in color!I have been to Provence a couple of times, and books such as this one bring back so many wonderful memories. Kristin Espinasse's writing is warm and inviting and when her blog comes through, it feels like a ray of sunshine. And just like in her blog, this book at the end of each essay, features a "French Vocabulary" which has a list of the French words that were sprinkled in her essay and what they mean in English. It's a fun way to learn French!

Kristen Espinasse make everyone want to live in France and speak the language. She shares her wonderful life stories of falling in love with a man, his culture and language. She makes France 🇫🇷 come alive.

I have been reading Kristin's French-Word-A-Day.com since 2010. I always look forward to reading about her adventures in France, and seeing her stunning photos - especially the photos of the countyside, and her charming furry family members.Her new book is enchanting, with witty and interesting stories as well as lovely photos. I also love the French vocabulary words sprinkled throughout the book.I started reading her posts and her books when I started taking French classes. I wanted to be exposed to the French language. However, I have enjoyed learning not only more French words, but the French culture in words and photos via Kristin's life and adventures in France.If you want to experience the beauty and charm of southern France without leaving home, you have to read First French Essais!

I've been following French-Word-a-Day for years now. I've always enjoyed Kristin Espinasse's scenes from a French life. I love the pictures that go with the story and was very happy to see them here and in color.I recommend her other two books (Words in a French Life and Blossoming in Provence) and strongly suggest that if you aren't already signed up for the blog that you do so immediately - you won't regret it. Plus, it turns out there are unexpected benefits. I haven't spoken French since the late 80s. I guess I must have taken in more of the vocabulary than I thought I was - we had a visiting dignitary and I actually managed to carry on a conversation.

Kristin's blog has been coming into my inbox since its inception. I always learn something new. As a French teacher, her words have often been added to my classroom vocabulaire. I just downloaded the e-version and have already stopped what I should be doing - my taxes - to read the first four essays. I have been blessed in my career choice as has Kristin. I have been blessed to have spent considerable time in the Luberon and in April, I will be 22 times blessed to introduce our beloved France to 22 of my students. I will try to save this delightful read for the plane ride over enjoying one essay at a time - ce sera difficile! Thanks Kristin. Keep up the good work!

I had thought it would be a hard backed bookI love the writing and stories but the surrounds of pictures are a bit gimicky. Without the surrounds they might have been bigger and easier to see. The colours in some of the photo reproductions were poor and some photos not so clear.

An enjoyable comfortable read , well written yet relaxed . It's like going there being there !