Joie de Vivre: Simple French Style for Everyday Living

I LOVED this book -I have read it twice. I lose myself in it and wish the American way of life had more of this Joie de Vivre.

I can't believe only one other person gave this a poor rating. Maybe the others didn't even bother. I picked up this book at the library, thankfully, so I can return it.

This book provides nothing more than a look at the insipid life of a man with a hyphenated identity, but claims to be only French. Most of the images in this book are of his home, friends and kids. It's like a family newsletter made thick and glossy. I honestly don't care to know so much about him.

Sure, it's charming to have a home in the French countryside. If you want to read some escapist travelogue, which can be fun, there are lots of those around. If you're looking for a cookbook, find one of those. And if you're looking to improve your life, then head to self-help. This book is none of these. It's just plain dumb.

I really enjoyed the overall tone and suggestion on how to slow down and savor life a little more. A very touching, sweet book.

I bought this book, on the recommendation of Diane F. Von Behren and Lee Mellott, two reviewers that I've begun to really trust here on Amazon. I was delighted to find, that typical of the other books I've bought on their say so, this one too is a joy to read and own.

It is idealistic. That IS the point.

This is a book ABOUT slowing down, thinking thru the day, not rushing from 7 am into eternity with one's head down, speeding thru an ever increasing load of chores till you drop dead wondering what life was all about.

I think this whole French/North American contrast genre of books, whether it's French women not getting fat or the Entre Nous book are all about re thinking an approach to life.

A little wake up call to examine what is important.

There are plenty of things I love about being a Canadian that make me very different from the French in France, or the American in America and that I prefer to hang onto. Some things won't change. They work for me.

But not because I hit the default button and just am Canadian because I was born here, and never thought about changing anything about me.

I think one of the joys of life is changing those things we don't like to stuff we do like.

Taking a broad cultural over view of the French way of life, and comparing it to the American (or British/Canadian/Australian etc) way makes it easy to spot the areas where we can borrow a better way and add it into our lives.

Enriching my life with some excellent recipes, and a conscious re thinking of life patterns (thru my day, my year or how I run my life) is the value in this book.

It is NOT a critique of America, rather it is an explanation of one mans view of life as he lives it, complete with recipes, side notes, cultural observations and the like.

IT is the reader who is allowed to then observe, contrast, and critique their own life and decide whether or not doing things differently would be a worthwhile change, something that could add to one's joie de vivre.

In my case it has. I'm stopping and enjoying life more as a result. My life is better, and yes, I have a little more joie de vivre as a result of this book.

I think it is a wonderful addition to my library and plan to keep it.

I purchased this book from Amazon more than 2 years ago. I find myself time and time again turning to Joie de Vivre for recipes, dinner party ideas and general inspiration. It is so wonderful! So stylish, yet so warm, cozy and inviting. Robert Arbor takes the 'gently gently' approach with his readers - he knows we're all stressed, overworked and unwilling victims of a processed food culture. He knows that we want to slow things down a little, enjoy life more. He knows that we want to have less mind numbing TV and mass-media in our lives (and MUCH less exposure to this ridiculous celebrity worship going on right now) and more quality interaction with friends and family. Monsieur Arbor completely understands that we don't all live in gorgeous French farmhouses or bohemian Parisian maisons (he is a New Yorker for much of the year)and he encourages readers from all walks of life to basically 'get a life'. I love it and I recommend this book to all.