More news about the new book...

Oct 16, 2025

MORE NEWS about I Am Finally, Finally French, My Accidental Life in Brittany

JUDY MACMAHON (MyFrenchLife.org) is the Fondatrice of MyFrenchLife – MaVieFrançaise, a salon for Francophiles who want to experience France beyond clichés. It’s a place where stories are shared, questions asked, and ideas exchanged, where connections and friendships are made and where people can linger over the joys (and beauty and humor) of French language, culture, books, and everyday French life. You can join by clicking on the link above and get the newsletter, Le Bulletin, free. You can also get access to #FranceStack, a Curated Guide to France’s Best Newsletters and Substacks, including From I’ll Never Be French to… I’m (almost) Finally French. And, if you click on the le Bulletin link Zine, you can read Keith Van Sickle’s terrific review of I Am Finally, Finally French, My Accidental Life in Brittany.

KEITH VAN SICKLE (keithvansickle.com) is one of the most interesting, entertaining, and prolific writers about odd, often strange, sometimes weird cultural events in France, mostly in and around Provence. He is the author of two very funny memoir/travelogues, One Sip at a Time and Are We There Yet? and an interactive guide to Provence, An Insider’s Guide to Provence. Below is his review of I Am Finally, Finally French as it appeared in MyFrenchLife.org:

Mark Greenside is at it again.

30 years ago, almost by accident, he bought a house in Brittany. He spends months there every year and has written two hilarious books about his French misadventures, “I’ll Never Be French” and “(not quite) Mastering the Art of French Living”. Now comes “I Am Finally, Finally French”, a worthy successor.

As in his previous books, many of the funniest moments revolve around Greenside’s limited ability to speak the language. Granted, his French has improved since he began: for example, he no longer calls milk “jus de vache” (cow juice). But, as a friend tells him, “You speak a French that no one else in the world would recognize as French.”

This leads to awkward moments, like the time he shocks friends by telling them, “I love my life in France”.

It turns out that “my life” is ma vie, while he instead says mon vie, thus expressing his love for something that can’t be described in polite company.

Greenside also needs lots of help, whether it’s with paperwork, technology, or when his old house has a problem. He’s become so well-known for this, and for his mangled French that people’s faces tend to fall when they see him coming. And while he always ends up with a solution to his problem, there can be a funny adventure along the way.

Forging Connections

Often, his need for help leads to friendship. People are kind, they fix his problem, and a connection is forged. And there’s no reason for language to get in the way, as when a certain Monsieur C. stops by to check his furnace.

Often, he’ll sit with me in the kitchen sipping coffee: two unshaven guys, me talking crazy French, him repeating, “No problème, no problème,” neither of us sure what the other is saying, nor caring. It’s our time together that counts, and the time is always good.

And it’s not just with Monsieur C. Whether it’s a neighbor or a repairman or the pizza guy, Greenside has built friendships. Many, many friendships. He and his wife Donna enjoy a rich social life in France.

They take the time to enjoy meals with friends—at home, at the beach, at a village festival. There’s always time to enjoy another oyster or crêpe, or a glass of cider. There’s time to look at the stars. It’s not the constant go go go of American life. As Greenside puts it:

“In the US, I do. In France, I am.”

A Good Life

Unlike Greenside’s earlier books, this one can be wistful at times. He is getting older and is beginning to imagine the end of his time in France, which makes him appreciate it all the more.

He considers how deeply France and the French have changed him. A visitor once asked:

How did you ever succeed here?”

…and it stumped him because he had never seen his French life as successful.

As he puts it:

“In a land where words and language are foreplay, I can’t play. I can’t read my mail, understand TV game shows, or join a regular, normal conversation; I need help, explanations, and interventions to use the phone or operate my clothes dryer.”

But upon reflection:

“I see what people who are not me see: accomplishment, a full life, a good life, maybe even the good life.”

We should all be so lucky.

BOOK LAUNCH ON OCTOBER 28: the room is filling: if you want to attend the launch, or you think you want to attend the launch, or you want to send someone (hopefully someone you like) to the launch, you need to reserve your and their place while there still is a place to reserve. The room holds 80 people. Click here to reserve a seat.

ENTER THE CONTEST: If you buy the book, review it on Amazon and/or Goodreads, and send me the review—good, bad or indifferent—by December 6, your name will be placed in a hat and you will be eligible for one of four prizes: First prize, a freebie month vacation at the house in Plobien (a fictitious name); second prize, three weeks’ stay; third prize, two weeks’ stay, and fourth prize, one week. All at a time of your choosing—assuming someone else isn’t already there…

NOTE: if you don’t go or can’t go to Plobien, don’t let that deter you. Write your review, enter the contest, and give someone you love the best gift ever….

Bonne Chance.

Send your review by messaging me here or at mark@markgreenside.com.

You can preorder the new book at any brick-and-mortar bookstore, or click on any of the following retailers: