What French women know....

I read this book after a blog author recommended it as a book every girl must absolutely read. I wholeheartedly agree. You know, how there is always one book that you want to give to your girlfriends. For me its been a string of totally unrelated books like Twilight, Eat, Pray and Love, Blink, The Book Thief, Time travelers wife..well you get the drift. I would say 'What French women know' certainly makes it to that list.

It is witty, humorous and insightful all at the same time. It is like sitting across from the author Debra Olliver and discussing how french culture differs from what she called the Anglo culture. I will not claim to know the American culture well enough with which a parallel is drawn constantly in the book. For some american women, this might not seem like a true comparison at all. I'd say read it with a pinch of salt with the knowledge that this is but one woman's outlook on the American and the French culture.

I have always found the french people fascinating- from their accent to their dressing style and to the heels they don. The book gives a very good insight into a French man/woman's behaviour and belief system. I believe it does capture quite aptly how and why the french seem so alluring to us outsiders. It is their nonchalance and the reason behind it that the author tries to explain.

The Americans, the book claims, admire the veil while the French admire a scarf. The veil says its a promise of eternity, promise to love and cherishing each other, to be there through good and the bad. The scarf, on the other hand, says - I don't give a damn! 

I often found myself smiling and smirking while reading the book (much to the amusement of the people around me on the train, am sure). I'd say this book is worth reading just for that smile it brings. :-)