I was actually lukewarm on the movie inspired by this book ('Julie and Julia'), but love the book. Talk about travel changing your life! The writing is brimming with personality, and it has many beautiful photos by Paul Child.
Posted by
Napa, CA
3580 posts
This is a fascinating book. I think it was another book that inspired the movie.
Posted by
Bainbridge Island
3098 posts
This is the book that inspired the movie :
http://www.amazon.com/Julie-Julia-Year-Cooking-Dangerously/dp/031604251X
Not nearly as good as the "real Julia's" book My Life in a France. I loved that book. Thanks for mentioning it---I want to read it again!
Posted by
OP
North Carolina
2448 posts
Actually, 'My Life in France' was part of the inspiration for the movie - the part I liked.
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7028 posts
I couldn't agree more. It's one of the best first-person, non-fiction books I have ever read. One of those I found hard to put down.
I liked the movie "Julie and Julia" but it was not nearly as good as her own book about her life in France and how she actually started cooking and sharing her love of it. I feel that same way about Frances Mayes' "Under the Tuscan Sun - At Home in Italy", the book was wonderful, the movie only luke warm.
Posted by
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6291 posts
I didn't see the movie, but I have read both books. "Julie and Julia" was so-so, but I loved "My Life in France." I love just about anything JC has written. Her cookbooks, especially the ones that came after "Mastering," are a delight to read. And cook from.
Posted by
OP
North Carolina
2448 posts
Added info - apparently, Julia and Paul Child's house in France has been recently purchased and is expected to be reopened in 2017 as a combination cooking school and yoga retreat.
Posted by
Walnut Creek, CA
368 posts
I have also read and loved her book My Life in France. When I was young my mom and I watched The French Chef together. I'll never forget the episode when the chicken landed on the floor :-) When I read the book and Julia was describing their first dinner in Marseille I could hear her distinctive voice in my head as I read the description. What a wonderful life. Also her life before France was also quite interesting.
Posted by
St. Louis MO
731 posts
I am currently listening to "My Life in France" as I type......I checked it out from our local library (the MP3, digital version). I love it and highly recommend it, especially if you are wanting to get excited for a visit to France (seriously, who NEEDS to get excited to go to France)? Even if you aren't going to travel, it's a great book for the lover of cooking!