A successful book launch and other news...

Nov 04, 2025

The October 28 book launch at Mrs. Dalloway’s bookstore was terrific. I was nervous, but Marion Abbott (who asked the questions and led the conversation) was soothing, and her questions were thoughtful and provocative. The bookstore was full to capacity. Every chair—all 80 of them—were used. People I hadn’t seen in a while showed up, and every copy of Finally, Finally was sold. Here are a few pictures.

photos courtesy of Jessica Green and Donna Umeki

NOVEMBER EVENTS

On November 6, I will have a one-hour Zoom conversation (with questions and hopefully answers) with Murielle de Wekker, Executive Director of the Charlottesville, Virginia chapter of Alliance Française. The event is for members only.

On November 12, Alliance Française, U.S.A, the national organization is hosting a one-hour Zoom conversation (with questions and answers) with me and Janet Hulstrand, author of the now classic, must-read, Demystifying the French, and the beautiful memoir, A Long Way from Iowa: From the Heartland to the Heart of France. The event is open to everyone, and if you sign up as ‘Guest of the presenter’ where it asks for your Affiliation the event is free for you. Here is the Alliance Française, U.S.A. registration link: Finally French: Mark Greenside’s Adventures in Brittany

On November 20, France Today, the largest circulation English language magazine about life in France, is hosting a different question and answer Zoom conversation with Janet Hulstrand. France Today has generously made this event free for you. Here’s how to register:

A special (for you) 30-day free trial page for the magazine has been set up so you can sign up and watch the event at no cost. NOTE: you must start the trial before registering for the event. You’ll need to follow these two steps in order:

Take out a trial here: https://francetoday.com/30-day-trial-mark-greenside/
Register for the event here: https://francetoday.com/france-today-live/in-conversation-with-author-mark-greenside/

This is the description of the event:

Join us for an engaging online conversation with Mark Greenside about his eagerly anticipated memoir, “I Am Finally, Finally French: My Accidental Life in Brittany.” Known for his signature blend of wit and heart, Greenside invites readers into the latest chapter of his decades-long journey adapting—often awkwardly, always humorously—to life in rural France. Interviewed by Janet Hulstrand, American writer and literature professor living in France, don’t miss this lively conversation with one of expat literature’s most authentic and charming voices.

Book Review: I Am Finally, Finally French: My Accidental Life in Brittany by Mark Greenside
by Janet Hulstrand

Those who have read Mark Greenside’s two previous memoirs about his part-time life in Brittany, will enjoy this return to familiar territory as he stumbles his way, linguistically and otherwise, through a series of adventures—and misadventures—in his little Breton village. Those who have not read those two books are in for a treat as he opens his part-time French life—the good, the bad, and the embarrassing—with admirable candor and generosity of spirit.
Greenside writes with self-deprecating humor and deep affection for the large cast of Breton, English, Irish and French friends, neighbors, and assorted other characters who help him keep his car, computer, furnace, washing machine, septic tank and other assorted necessities of life functioning so he can do what he does best, which is to write about it all.
A helpful “primer” at the end of the book provides a summary of Greenside’s lessons learned about life in France, from the practical (“Vous and tu matter.”) to the philosophical (“Disagreement is a way of life in France, and one of the rules of living. To differ is not a breach, but a bond.”)

The new book is available at any brick-and-mortar bookstore, or click on any of the following retailers: