"The book is not a typical memoir of an American in Paris.A largely witty and often highbrow look at the French exuberance for life." - Kirkus Reviews "Yandell's personal accounts offer fun glimpses into French life, and her commentary on national character and culture is well observed. Francophiles, take note." -- Publishers Weekly "A wonderful celebration of and guide to the many joys of life in contemporary France.Yandell provides first time visitors as well as dedicated Francophiles with a host of ideas for ways to deepen their understanding of this rich, complex and diverse culture." - Janet Hulstrand, author of Demystifying the French "[An] erudite book sprinkled with amusing and informative personal anecdotes.Yandell manages to capture the uncapturable by showing the multitude of ways the French find joy in a culture where even the simplest things are celebrated.

" - Harriet Welty Rochefort, bestselling author of French Toast and Joie de Vivre "This book is a delight, a high-spirited portrait of a culture that does indeed embody joy and possibility.Yandell knows France, having lived, studied, and taught there over the course of several decades.lives up to the joie de vivre of its subtitle." -- Susan Cahill, author of Sacred Paris and The Streets of Paris.