Ariège Author

Been busy writing, Sweet dix-sept! Just emerging from the woodwork and dipping a toe into the forum. Keep up those exclamation marks!!!

Just finished a thriller set in the valleys around Bagnères-de-Luchon by French author Bernard Minier. Originally called Glacé, it was a bestseller in France and is now available in English as The Frozen Dead (interesting title change!). It's a decent thriller but for me his take on the Pyrenees as a brooding, sinister place filled with menace was fascinating in that it's so far removed from my own portrayal of the area as majestic, inspiring and filled with life. Well worth a read.

A bit late to this but I'm a massive Seamus Heaney fan. And I have to disagree with you, NormanH (not something I would normally do!), as I think it is precisely his disregard for structure that appeals! As for music...his poems are infused with a lyricism that merits reading them regardless of the amazing content. But they need to be read aloud. On top of all that, he was the kind of bloke you could imagine having a pint with. Totally grounded despite his amazing talent and international fame. Like I said, I'm a massive fan!

Not that simple - the car stalled on the ramp up into the top of the ferry when boarding and wouldn't start again. But the good news is, it started no problems this morning and they are on their way...phew. Coming from a rain soaked west of Ireland, they were determined to get their holiday in France, even if it meant two weeks in Roscoff while the car was fixed! Thanks all for the help.

Cheers Russethouse! I've got the number for a garage nearby and have called them to say there might be a call for their expertise in the morning...fingers crossed it starts. Failing that, my parents get a holiday in Brittany!

My parents are on their way to France from Ireland and their car won't start. The problem happened on the boat and they will most likely need a mechanic/garage when they land tomorrow morning (Thurs 6th June). Any locals out there in the Roscoff area who can offer a recommendation? Thanks!

It doesn't take long to read and is so evocative. Hope you enjoy it!

Just finished this lovely tale of...The President's Hat (by Antoine Laurain, translated/published by Gallic Books). It's set in 1980s France and follows the impact of the President's lost head attire upon those who come across it. Very whimsical. Very French. Perfect read for a grey day!

Thanks for posting the link, Sweet17 - although describing the monarchy as a 'holy cow' could land you in the same Mantel boat!! I had read the article and agree that while some of Ms Mantel's language could have been better chosen, she is making an interesting point - but yes, takes a while to get there. Nothing new there then! And while I can't claim to know the author personally, I've met a lot of booksellers who have had the pleasure of meeting her and all of them thought she was wonderful. Arrogant never came into the equation. Given some of the stories I hear about diva writers and their behaviour at book signings, this makes a change. So it makes me think that no insult was intended. And I guess we'll never know if it was taken...

Gulp - I've got that on my to-read pile! Will give it a go anyway. But think I'll rip through a Martin O'Brien first to give me some relief.

I think it's a measure of the book that I agree with you both! The style certainly jarred in places - sporadic use of dramatic-style dialogue for one - but Sweet17 is right that Mantel manages to portray the very heart of the revolution from several personal perspectives. One of those books that stays with you for a long time. And also an advocate for getting an e-reader! It's a heavy tome.

Anyone else read A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel? It focuses on the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror. I've just emerged from it - it's a huge book - and would love to know what others think.

Excellent thread! I'm with Chancer in that the bibliothèque was my first port of call. I started with books aimed at young children and found the stories so much more philosophical than you would get in comparative literature in the UK. The librarian also gave great recommendations. Right - off to make a note of all the suggestions on here... thanks all!

I've just got back from 3 days working at the France Show in London and had the pleasure of meeting Kate Mosse (author of aforementioned Citadel) which reminded me of this thread...Did you ever discover the title of the book, Chrissie? Would love to know!

I'm a bit late coming to this but could you mean Citadel by Kate Mosse? It's set in and around the Carcassonne area during WWII and she's a big enough name to be interviewed on the TV!

Don't know if any of you have come across these but I'm nearly at the end of my first one (The Foreign Correspondent) and so far, it's a good read. (Good enough that I've forgiven him for his inaccurate description of the area south of Tarbes as being barren and desert-like...??!) It's a bit like Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther novels set in 1930s Berlin except Furst uses Paris as his backdrop. Worth a look.

With regards to licences, whether or not you get a visit seems to depend on the diligence of the gendarmes in your area! We ran an auberge in the Pyrenees for 6 years and they came by several times to check our licences were all in order. And a couple of times they had to come back again as they hadn't understood the paperwork themselves...! Bon courage, Louise.

This book has been on my 'to buy' list for a while - got talking to an elderly Jewish man in London at the French Property exhibition and he had been hidden for the entire war by a French family. He told me about this book and said it was a must-read. He'd even written to Tatiana de Rosnay to tell her. Can't get a better recommendation than that!

Thanks, Val_2. Any other councillors out there want to give their two centimes worth?

Noooo - but do tell more! Sounds like a story... (And after years of following this forum, I know you tell a good story.)

Thanks for the prompt reply, Val. Thought extraordinary meetings did take place, despite what I was told elsewhere. Would you be happy to answer some further questions? If so, I'll email you.

I'm trying to find out if there is such a thing as a 'session extraordinaire' for local councils and whether the rules that govern them are in any way different. Specifically with reference to the Ordre du Jour. I've trawled through the Code General (yikes!) and the net and have also asked on some French forums (contradictory replies...) so just wondered if someone here would be willing to answer a few questions if they have experience of sitting on a local council. No pain involved! And all in the name of research. (Not sure if the Complete France section is appropriate for this but I couldn't think of a better place to post it in.)

Glad I'm not the only one caught up in all things Chabal! It's a great site though.

Thanks for taking me seriously, Peter! In the meantime, I've done some more research and have come across Chabal's website - the videos of him trying the Olympic sports are worth a watch for all Chabal fans. (Not getting much writing done today!) http://www.sebastienchabal.fr

Hi, A bizarre question but... can any Chabal fans out there tell me, did he always play with his hair loose or tied back? Or both?? Need to know for my current book... I'm a rugby fan myself, and he's one of my favourites but I can't recall his hairstyle preferences! And google photos are inconclusive...