French Impressions: Brittany

Brittany in a book

From the Back Cover

Did you know...

The beret-throwing champion of all France is a Breton?

The Klingon language is based on Breton?

King Arthur and Merlin are buried in seventeen different locations in Brittany?

French Impressions-Brittany is packed with facts, legends, and off-beat but insightful observations about this most fascinating of French regions. Inside these covers you'll find reviews of more than a hundred Breton towns as well as dozens of classic and little-known regional recipes.
You'll also find out what it is like to own property, live, or run a business across the Channel. Or how to protect your house from a thunderstorm with a row of acorns...or unblock a seriously eggbound hen.

If anyone should know his onions about France and the French, it's George East.
The former nightclub bouncer, private detective, radio DJ, pub landlord and gravedigger has been writing about and messing around in France for more than thirty years. As George cheerfully concedes, he still cannot speak the language properly and is further away from understanding the French psyche than when he started his adventuring across the Channel. This book is a record of a year spent living in a tiny hamlet in the Monts d'Arrée area of Brittany. Loved by millions of Francophiles and general readers, George's quirky, amusing yet informative style creates a vivid impression of a fascinating region, its people and past.

Whichever way you look at it, this is Brittany - and Life -in a book...

Reviews
"Those who have come to love George's 'Home Thoughts from Abroad' column in French Property News will not be disappointed by French Impressions: Brittany. He has that happy knack of conveying genuine insight into a region, fascinating facts and the sense of adventure and discovery that's so important in all good travel writing. But it's all written in a way that is laugh-out-loud funny. He reviews more than a hundred Breton towns and shares dozens of regional recipes; the classics as well as some more intriguing and esoteric dishes that he has discovered cider apple and blackberry atomic chutney anyone? Whats more, there are handy sections at the back with useful online contacts and a whistle-stop tour of beautiful Breton towns and villages that George visited on his travels. There's information and inspiration aplenty in this book, and above all, it's a thoroughly entertaining read." -- French Property News.
 

"Salut mon vieux pote (old fellow). I've received your last book and after reading the 100 first pages I can say that it's an unusal touristic book, sure! It's far from the eden vision some foreigners could have about France, but absolutly the truth. I really enjoy it even if I feel concerned about what you've written. And I must say that's the first time I can understand 95% of your book (thanks to my MBA course last year)! Your anylisis about Bretons and French is particularly fine and funny! For this Frenchman, your french impressions are impressive! "--Philippe Boulet -

CA Bank Manager, Normandie

What our customers think of george's books

Following are some of Georges many fan letters from very happy customers. Read on and see what real readers say.

       I just picked up your book, and now I can't put it down. I couldn't wait to finish it, before telling you how much I am enjoying your tales of rural France. For 15 years I visited my father and his partner in their rustic and charming home in the Ariege. He died two years ago this Saturday, and I am so sorry I won't be able to send him your book. He would have loved it. It's a wonderful coincidence to have found your work now, when I'm missing him the most. It's like listening to his favourite tales, but with new characters, new twists and turns. Apparently France is profond, whether North or South! --Sandy (Berkshire)

      I took my children to the local library last week and for the first time in forever was able to get a book for myself. I chose yours. Doubtful as to whether I would have time to read it as the busy mother of 3 and 4 year old girls, and working and housework etc etc, I luckily??? got the flu and was forced some down time. With the fire roaring and in between reading books to the kids I have savoured your book. It was delicious, and a wonderful escape. - Rebecca Cavarra (a proud Aussie housewife).

       My husband and I have so enjoyed your books. We have a holiday home at Montalivet but have now found we have to travel via Brittany ferries just to collect your charming books. Keep writing George. -- Julia Welsh 

About the Author

George East has been wandering and wondering through France for ever, and writing about it for more than twenty years. His love affair started as a young boy on a cultural exchange and has lasted since then in spite of some of his experiences in the country we love to love or hate. But love is not blind in this case. George tells it how it is in his writings about France, the French and life in what some would say is an idyllic place to be. According to the literally thousands of George East enthusiasts who have sent fan mail, the oversized author's style is a mixture of Bill Bryson, Eric 'A Short Walk In The Hindu Kush' Newby and P G Woodhouse, while his antics resemble more closely the worst excesses of Tony Hancock meets Frank Spenser and Basil Fawlty. As a leading critic once said, 'George does spectacular failure in France very well'.