May 15, 2011: French Leave

French Leave by Anna Gavalda

Simon, Garance and Lola flee a family wedding that promises to be dull to visit their younger brother, Vincent, who is working as a guide at a château in the heart of the charming Tours countryside. For a few hours, they forget about kids, spouses, work and the many demands adulthood makes upon them and lose themselves in a day of laughter, teasing, and memories. As simply and as spontaneously as the adventure began, it ends. All four return to their everyday lives, carrying with them the magic of their brief reunion. They are stronger now, and happier, for having rediscovered the ties that bind them. - from Europa


Before I get into my review, I have to apologize.  I took a little bit of a break from my blog.  I've been in such a reading rut, I just could not force myself to read many quality books.  I was tired and cranky, then I picked up this book.  This book was the perfect palette cleanser.  It was short, but it was not lacking in quality.  It cheered me up on this rainy day.


The biggest thing I took away from this book was the importance of a good sibling relationship.  I love how these siblings were written.  I only have one sister and we are very close, but I've always wondered about the family dynamics of multiple siblings.  I loved how close Gary, Lola, Simon and Vincent were, even when they had a long amount of time separating them.


I found myself laughing quite a bit throughout the book.  Even the last quote had me laughing.  I like a book that makes you laugh.  I love the part when Garance decides to skip over her conversation with Lola because it's in their shorthand.  So many of my conversations with my sister are like this.  We always joke that if someone stumbled into our conversations, they would think we were crazy.  Anna Gavalda wrote these siblings so realistic and so loving towards each other.


I loved how quickly I read this book because I was so caught up in the scenery.  I didn't even realize I was at the end.  I do wish that we could have seen Carine's reaction to being left at the wedding though.  That would have been hilarious!


If you are looking for quick, cozy book to read then check this one out.  Gavalda creates such a comforting and joyous atmosphere, it's hard not to get hooked.


*Europa provided this book to me for review on this blog.  

**Check out Europa's website, they have some excellent books coming out this fall...
I accidentally pre-ordered 4 of them.