Entre Nous: A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl

Entre Nous is an innovating book that captures the femininity and admiration of the French woman. From tips to ways of life, this book focuses on the importance the French girl puts on food, life, and play. Throughout the text, the author recommends books and films that capture the essence of the topics at hand.

This book will help to change the way one thinks of her work. It will also help one to encourage relaxation, to take life slow, and enjoy the pleasures life has to offer.

This book is incredibly TEDIOUS. Maybe because I ready after How to be imposibly french wich is great!.


I find the little quotes and film notes more interesting than the book itself. But very distracting.

Of course this book is full of superlatives and portrays French gals in that better-than-ourselves version. Just as we know that not all Brazilians look fabulous in bikinis and dance samba with grace, we also know that not all French are graced with fashion sense and the Amelie impish grin.

What I enjoyed about this book is that it reminded me there is that better version of me, a more poetic side that I can tap into. So ignore the hard-to-believe parts, especially those that tout French women as hostesses who know exactly how to consider every party details while looking amazing and flitting about the room with brilliant words on their tongues. No way.

Entre Nous begins by the author describing the first French girl that she was in contact with. She dressed well, was intelligent, had style, was sensual, and she felt comfortable in her own body. She didn't really gossip, and she kept her secrets until she knew her for many years.
The author goes on to tell you how to cook, shop, play, work, and love: like a French girl.

There are many tips in between, like: "Borrow a page from the French girl's book: Self Possession." Or, Le Film, Le livre (the book) and French Girls We Love. All of those little tidbits contained some great recommendations, and there were other fun side notes like: who gets vous (formal) and who gets tu.(informal)

Ollivier has created a book that brings out some our defensive qualities. "I love Farmers Markets! I don't wear sweatpants!" I'm sure that not every French girl loves to read, nor does every French girl accept her husbands indiscretions. Maybe not every French man chooses to cheat, either!
You can't write a book about an entire culture and be correct about all of it. Besides, maybe one of the reasons that the French girls have a strong sense of self is because their cultures and traditions have been handed through many generations. Their country has existed for such a long time, whereas, our country is still very new compared to theirs.

Either way, Ollivier ends her book going back to California, so if you are worried that she chooses "them, over us," she must love America as well. She also ended the book with a list with "What the French girl loves about us."

So, don't worry. Put the defenses away. It's a fun, well written book, with some great ideas on how to be a self possessed, strong, stylish woman in general. She gives some good advice. I've read it more than once because it's that enjoyable!

Recommended!

This book will make you want to move to France. Very educational and
entertaining.