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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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4.1 out of 5 stars (29 customer reviews)
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Truly Beautiful Book!, April 16 2011
By HelloWriters "Amy" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Bonjour Happiness (Paperback)
This is a collection of wonderful tales and ideas that offer sheer inspiration, and literally teaches each and every one of us to enjoy life and give ourselves a break!The author, Jamie, speaks about Grandma. Grandma was a tall, slim, elegant woman, with jet black hair that'd turned silver over time. Grandma had the `French' inside of her and she was the essence of a lady who knew all about "the art of living." A tender moment that Jamie and her Grandma shared was when Grandma used to shampoo Jamie's hair, and twist it into curls that made her resemble Shirley Temple. Jamie absolutely loved it when Grandma did this, because not only did she take her time, but she also used to send a smile to her granddaughter in the reflected mirror. That smile held more than love; that smile spoke volumes about a woman who'd truly lived and enjoyed every minute of it.
In honor of her Grandmother, as well as wanting to find out exactly what it is that makes Frenchwomen seem far more happy and content than American women, Jamie traveled through France. Living and studying in a small town called Auvillar, Jamie threw herself into the French life - from everything to wine, cheese, and real butter - to how they feel about romance, and living life to the absolute fullest. The French woman - no matter what their socio-economic class, don't spend all their time worrying about money and how `skinny' they look. They have this amazing optimism and they truly love each and every experience - whether good or bad - simply because it is the "moment" that they're living in.
This author offers wonderful stories that touch on dance, food, the power of the `dinner table' where families used to meet and actually speak to each other, and the power of handwriting - keeping it elegant in this ridiculous electronic world. She speaks about how age is a beautiful thing. Age means that you have traveled - you have lived - and there is nothing sexier than that. She teaches us that old dreams should be revitalized - that life is too short to set aside what you want and desire to simply pay the bills, and nothing else. These observations of life, dedicated to her Grandmother, are beyond enchanting. And all readers, including myself, could learn some wonderful lessons from these truly inspiring tales. Bravo!
Amy Lignor, [...]
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
Ridiculous at best, disturbing at worst, Sep 14 2011
By EAO - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Bonjour Happiness (Paperback)
I cannot stress enough how much I disliked this book. I am a total francophile. I love all things French. I really wanted to love this book and was excited to receive it. The more I read the book, however, the less excited I became. I barely managed to finish it. It has more to do with the author's disturbing memories of her unstable mother than it does with finding joie de vivre. The author talks about herself enough for the reader to get a strong sense of her; unfortunately she comes across as incredibly insecure, needy, and completely unoriginal. The book is poorly written and the tone conveys frantic desperation rather than any sort of joy. The few chapters that she begins to handle passingly well barely skip along the surface of the topic before rushing on to more bitter recollections. Whole sections of the book read like the author speaking to her therapist. It is neither in in-depth look at happiness and changing your life nor a light, happy, French-inspired read. Instead, it's a bizarre attempt at a light, happy read draped over a base of self-loathing and mother issues. I would happily include examples, but I already donated the book. I absolutely do not recommend this book, unless it's as a gift for someone you don't like, or someone with a very limited intellect.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Helping Discover Your Joie de Vivre, Mar 16 2011
By Katie O'Sullivan - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Bonjour Happiness (Paperback)
Jamie Cat Callan's second book, BONJOUR HAPPINESS, is a compilation of observations and life lessons on how we can all discover the secrets to being truly happy. Jamie shares her thoughts with the reader through vignettes of her recent travels through France and memories of her French grandmother, all told with warmth and humor that make you want to read more (and join her on her French adventures!)I connected with the author right from the introduction, when Jamie describes herself as a woman who often feels she is "not smart enough, not rich enough, not organized enough, not accomplished enough, not slim enough and definitely not young enough. All this to say I'm a typical American gal!" I thought, me too, and decided she might have some secrets that I could really use.
She does. With simple easy-to-take-home ideas, Jamie shows us how rediscovering our own joie de vivre is well within everyone's reach, no matter your age or body type. Halfway through the book, she reminds us that, "Everything you do in life has the potential to add to your happiness, your joie de vivre." You always have a choice, and throughout the book Jamie helps us see these choices and examine which ones truly make us happier.
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