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feedback

August 20, 2009

To La Grande Galerie in Civray this morning to drop off more copies of Tout Sweet. It's such a charming little place, always busy and worth the 25km journey just for the cappuccino (made with fresh rather than UHT milk) and homemade cakes.

While there I sold another three copies on the spot, two of them to a charming woman, who told me her husband had just read Tout Sweet and really enjoyed it, which was quite an achievement as he'd only ever read about two books in his life (I'd love to know what the other one was!)

Along with my French friends' comments that the book should be available on the health service for anyone suffering from depression, this is my favourite piece of feedback so far.

Another customer at the cafe, complained that the book was keeping him awake at night, as his wife kept laughing out loud. It made my morning.

Perhaps the best thing about writing Tout Sweet is the instant feedback and the emails that arrive on a daily basis from around the world (many from people who are unable to buy the book in their country but read about it in the Daily Mail).

I have been really touched by all the goodwill and positive feeling the book seems to have generated. Thank you to everyone who has emailed me, posted a review on Amazon or bought multiple copies of the book to pass on to friends. I've been particularly moved by those who have sent very personal messages, many of them saying they were inspired to move to France as a result.

comments (7)

1. Posted by Ann de Bretange on August 20, 2009 2:32 PM

Great to hear the book is such a huge success. Cappuccino and cakes in Civray sounds absolute heaven, brings back happy memories of Croque Monsieur and cappuccino under the sun on Rue Nationale in Pontivy.


2. Posted by mimi pompom on August 20, 2009 2:51 PM

Dear Ann,

thanks for your comments. I'm more than a little embarrassed as'huge success' is wildly overstating it(at least in terms of numbers sold so far, as it's still languishing on lower shelves of most bookshops I've checked out) and it hasn't been reviewed in any newspapers, but in terms of reader feedback so far, I would say it has been a success as I never expected to receive so many wonderful emails from people.

Mimix

3. Posted by Metropolitan Mum on August 20, 2009 4:02 PM

I had to order my copy at Borders, as it wasn't in stock. If only I'd known that they had signed copies at Waterstones. :-(

4. Posted by nath on August 20, 2009 6:53 PM

The ransom of success...

5. Posted by petra van de stolpe on August 30, 2009 10:00 AM

I read about you in the Sunday Times and would love to read your book. I live in Malta and have restored 4 or may be 5 houses, mostly village houses,I was born in 1926 in Amsterdam but left when I was 22,have lived abroad ever since,NZ OZ,Hamburg , Beirouth,and since 1964 in or on Malta ...it was my late husbands idea. I sort of got stuck. I worship trees and there are very few in Malta. I have a cousin in Provence I stayed there 2 years ago. I speak French pas mal. I am ancient now but fit and well and sun damaged, I was very pale when young I love the olive Mediterranean skin my friends have. I could tell you lots more. I live in a village calld Naxxar. My house is about 400 years old, no garden but I sit in my alley as old ladies do here and chat to the neighbours.

6. Posted by Tony McInnes on August 30, 2009 10:21 PM

Karen

Great article in the Sunday Times. Do you have any advice on property in the region- maybe one or two estate agents that you could recommend.

Also what kind of work is available to a lapsed Scots accountant with broken French, but bags of enthusiasm?

Hope things continue to go well.

Regards

Tony McInnes-Glasgow [Hoping to move to France --soon!]

7. Posted by Selena O'Donnell on October 8, 2009 10:37 AM

Hi,
John's sister here, hope you remember him or that won't make any sense!
Have enjoyed the few extracts from your book I've found so far, especially as my uncle-in-law also renovated a house in the same region and we've been lucky enough to stay there recently. You've got to love those sunflowers.
Good luck with it all.

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