Funny, endearing, and a true candid look at life in France, from the perspective of someone who is not French yet is trying his best to fit in (mind, one cannot 'become' French, it seems). Much of the vignettes in this book date from the early 2000s and might not seem 'actual' in tone, but this is after all a memoir of the life lived by the author, and this being the time period that most impacted his life in France, you cannot fault him for that.
I did feel the last 2 chapters veered a bit away from the light-hearted tone that'd been present throughout, and to end/leave on such a 'low' note felt a bit of a bummer that didn't do the whole book until then justice... But that's just my opinion. Still a very good look-see-through into Parisian life from someone who has one foot in (being married to a bona fide French Parisian) and out foot out (being an expat and thus not French/won't ever be French enough)

In Which The Author Shares His Insights....
In which the author shares his insights into France and the French from personal experiences. Mildly amusing, although rather grating in parts, with some interesting snippets. An easy, relaxed read.

I am one of the people who idealised Paris and dreamed about strolling down the streets of Montmartre, enjoying the morning coffee, having parisian friends...and in fact, I have never lived in France. However, reading John’s description of Parisians and his experience of living there was great. This book made me laugh at times, because his descriptions and experiences were funny. It made me agree, as I have lived in a french household at university and so many things were relatable. And it made me sad, for not having the first-hand experience of life in Paris.

John Von Sothen has written the true story of what it is really like to be an ex-Pat in France and it is a wonderful explanation of how the French live their lives and their contempt for those who do not follow their meticulous ways. I spent the first five chapters laughing out loud until the rest of my family asked for quietness. The quirks of French life are fully described by Jon and how he continuously is the brunt of their humour. A Bill Bryson like book that gives hours of pleasure.

You know that you are enjoying a book when you laugh out loud and can't resist reading out passages to your other half. To say I enjoyed this book is an understatement. I do have a deep love of France and all things French, so Paris Match was preaching to the converted before it even began, but lets just say from now on I shall be partaking in a little 'trous Normond' when I host my next 'diners'.

There is something about the Parisian lifestyle that tempts people. The nonchalant dating, perfectly raised kids and endless dinner parties seem like a dream lifestyle. But behind the romantic fantasy, there is a lot of annoying paperwork and language misunderstandings that are an inevitable part of the real Parisian life. Paris Match by John von Sothen talks about the first-hand experience of a foreigner living in Paris, getting to know the culture and people after being born and raised in America.

I enjoyed reading Sothen's adventures a lot, as they truthfully depict the real-life in France. His style is hilarious yet childishly curious, and reading this book you feel like you are in a group of friends listening to one guy talking about his life in Paris. It is charming without leaving out the difficult parts.

I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to take a glimpse of the French way of life. You will probably lose some of the unrealistic expectations but may fall in love with many new and unexpected things instead.

<i>"Paris was my kind of town, cold and cynical, and Anais is as Parisian as they get."</i>
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It is not a secret that the French have their own way of doing things, and the Parisians even more so. It is a culture of its own, where you adapt to the new social rules of the urban jungle of contradictions, or you perish trying.
For starters, is there anything more Parisian than being a foreigner who hates other foreigners?
Von Sothen has succeeded in portraying what it feels to be an expat in France with all the good, the bad, and the hilarious. His stories are told in a surprisingly honest, open, and sometimes even self-deprecating way. Although it might be a bit snobbish, and completely lacking in self-awareness at times, it is also very funny, emotional, and for a past Parisian like me, an irresistible stroll down the memory lane. After all, as the author's charming wife Anais has said, "On critique bien, ce qu'on aime le mieux."

(I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.)