A Perfect Circle

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View books by Susie Kelly.

Tinkerbell wasn't the only one that ran out of steam - Rated
I really wanted to like this book, the idea is marvellous. We would all like to disappear off round France (or anywhere - desk bound, just round my garden would be a treat!) and ina camper van and the book promised much. However, I found it very turgid. Interesting but turgid. A slightly more informative map in the preface (couldn't the printers have allocated two or more pages to it?) would have been very helpful because it is more more of a guide book, taking the reader to places that they might never have heard of if Susie Kelly and her bloke hadn't partaken of the trip.

It took me ages to read it (adn I am not a slow reader) as it didn't grip me in any way. And unlike Susies daughter, (did I spot nepotism in her review!) I didn't rock and roll with laughter either. Mildly amusing, and the little dog that grew to be big was the most amusing thing in the book, although rather out of control! I am not sure I would have wanted to stay on a crowded campsite with them.

If you want a guide book round France then this is one of the better ones as it delves into all those unknown crooks,crannies and coves, but as a humourous pacey book - no way.

A Perfect Read... - Rated
.. for Francophiles and anyone planning a trip to France. I am slightly biased, since having thoroughly enjoyed Susie Kelly's first two books (Best Foot Forward and One Step Forward, Two Steps Backwards)I couldn't wait to read this, the third. This time Susie takes her husband Terry and two dogs on her journey around France in a camper van, which only adds to the fun - and often the chaos. I didn't want their journey to end and when I got to the end of the book, was tempted to set off on a tour of France's outer boundaries myself - though perhaps not in a campervan. The book is full of interesting anecdotes and facts interspersed with useful tips for anyone planning a trip to France (eg avoid the Begonia farm near Rochefort at all costs; ditto one or two dour chateaux that received the thumbs down from Susie, but the absinthe factory sounds very convivial.
One thought occurred to me: it might be useful to have a directory at the back with addresses of the restaurants, cafes, campsites etc that Susie and Terry visited.

Je l'ai adoré! - Rated
This is a 'must-read' for anyone who loves France or is planning a trip there in the near future. It is packed with places and anecdotes that make you want to set off on the road yourself, touring the perimeters of la belle France, though perhaps not with two enormous, boisterous dogs stuffed into the back of your campervan. Those who have read 'Best Foot Forward' and 'One Step Forward, Two Steps Backwards' will already be familiar with Susie Kelly's quirky, observational style of travel writing and gentle, wry sense of humour. Unlike many books on France, it does not fall into the usual trap of being hideously smug or mocking the French but instead is hilariously funny in places and throughout, her genuine interest in the people and places she is visiting,and her affection for France, shines through. (Plus there are some useful tips on places to avoid, such as one or two very grim chateaux.) Allez acheter toute de suite!

Another cracking read - Rated
This book has been long awaited and much enjoyed. Having been told by my mother that on this journey she would be taking Dad, 2 dogs, laptops and Tinkerbell round France all I could do was wait for the book to arrive and to then sit and do nothing else until I had read it cover to cover!

The only disappointment is that the book is far too short, as I love the way Mum writes and the tears have rolled down my face with the stories of Dobbie, Tally, Dad and other strange people along the way! I have inherited my Mums skill at map reading so I know what it is like to have 'the driver' cussing and tutting at me while being confined in a vehicle with no means of escape!

I have no idea where the next travel will take us, but I know that the journey will be as fantastic and as informative as this one. I have leart so much about the history of the places they have visited and feel that the history of France has been touched upon in an enlightening and educational manner.

A Fantastic read and can't wait for the next one.

A Baedeker with dogs, pitchforks and absinthe. - Rated
Susie Kelly's account of her journey around the perimeter of France with her husband, their dogs and their much abused campervan 'Tinkerbelle' is an interesting and amusing read.

Written with elements of the joie de vivre and eccentricity of Jerome K. Jerome's Three Men In A Boat and E.M. Forster's A Room With A View, the book provides the reader with a wonderful ambling journey through the French countryside.

The book is not without it's weaknesses, the main one being that so much is packed within the writing that you can become swamped with information. The map at the front of the book is a welcome tool for keeping track but it lacks detail and can leave you unsure as to where you are, geographically, within the book. Other weakness are possibly due to the singular narrative of the book and in places the contribution of Kelly's husband, Terry, would have possibly provided an interesting, alternative perception of proceedings.

These are minor asides though as Kelly manages to hold the reader with her passion for the eccentricities fo French life and her clear love of the country.

Also enjoyable is Kelly's detailing of the more unusual bits and pieces of French history which can, at points, be both funny and touching.

As someone keen to learn more about France and her delights this book is a nice, gentle introduction. It provides much information as to what to see and do in various places but probably the best advice gleaned from this book is that you should never attempt this journey if you are a vegetarian dog lover with a slightly below par camper van.