Au Revoir: Running Away from Home at Fifty

Well known gardening writer and TV gardening show host, Mary Moody, decides that, at 50, she deserves a break from the demands of family and household chores, and takes herself off to France where she lives the life of a local, and immerses herself in local culture, food and wine. This book is really a diary of sorts where she records the impressive meals she consumes and the gallons of red wine with which she washes them down. Most of the friends she makes, with a few exceptions, are expat Australians, Brits and Americans which somewhat defeats her intentions of learning to speak French like a native, but her descriptions of the local gardens and flora are excellent. It's a quick, light read which most people would enjoy.

Mary Moody writes with verve and honesty about her need to escape on her own, to take a break from her frantically busy work and family life, and to experience life in rural France. She takes the reader on a journey into the Lot, where her descriptions of country life sparkle. Her insights into family life and her own reasons for 'running away', as she terms it are interspersed throughout the story. I found it a fascinating read, and although it didn't make me want to run away myself, my desire to explore those areas has escalated. An enjoyable memoir.