In 'My Life in France,' Julia Child shares her delightful journey of culinary discovery and cultural immersion in post-war France. Through vivid storytelling, she recounts her transformative experiences that ignited her passion for French cuisine and cooking. With the charming backdrop of quaint French villages and bustling markets, Child's narrative is peppered with humor and love for food. The book captures the essence of her adventures, from learning to cook at Le Cordon Bleu to the challenges of becoming a cookbook author. This memoir invites readers to savor the flavors of life and embrace the joys of creativity in the kitchen.
By Julia Child, Alex Prud'homme
Published: 2007
""The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking, you’ve got to have a what-the-hell attitude.""
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Julia's story of her transformative years in France in her own words is "captivating ... her marvelously distinctive voice is present on every page.” (San Francisco Chronicle). Although she would later singlehandedly create a new approach to American cuisine with her cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking and her television show The French Chef, Julia Child was not always a master chef. Indeed, when she first arrived in France in 1948 with her husband, Paul, who was to work for the USIS, she spoke no French and knew nothing about the country itself. But as she dove into French culture, buying food at local markets and taking classes at the Cordon Bleu, her life changed forever with her newfound passion for cooking and teaching. Julia’s unforgettable story—struggles with the head of the Cordon Bleu, rejections from publishers to whom she sent her now-famous cookbook, a wonderful, nearly fifty-year long marriage that took the Childs across the globe—unfolds with the spirit so key to Julia’s success as a chef and a writer, brilliantly capturing one of America’s most endearing personalities.
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“"The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking, you’ve got to have a what-the-hell attitude."”
My Life in France
By Julia Child, Alex Prud'homme
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Julia Child was a pioneering American chef, author, and television personality, best known for bringing French cuisine into the American home through her engaging and approachable cooking style. Her most notable works include 'Mastering the Art of French Cooking,' co-authored with Simone Beck, which became a classic in culinary literature, and her memoir 'My Life in France,' where she shares her experiences of discovering the French culinary arts. Julia's writing style is characterized by its warmth, humor, and detailed instructions that make cooking accessible to everyone.
Alex Prud'homme is an acclaimed American author and journalist known for his writing on food, culture, and the art of cooking. He is the co-author of the bestselling memoir "My Life in France" with Julia Child, which details Child's experiences in France and her culinary journey. Additionally, Prud'homme wrote "The Ripple Effect: The Fate of Fresh Water in the Twenty-First Century," a compelling exploration of global water issues, and "Dinner with Julia: Recipes from Julia's Kitchen," which showcases recipes inspired by Julia Child. Prud'homme's writing is characterized by its engaging narrative style, meticulous research, and an ability to bring historical and cultural context to the topic at hand.
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