French having lived a long time abroad, I expected a lot from this book by buying it. This is a good book, but say that it is a novel, or that it is very good, is rather exaggerated. In no particular literary style or particularly extraordinary information this book is refreshing and enjoyable to read .It must therefore take this book for what it is: the impressions of an Australian who really landed in France, but in Paris (history ultimately very Parisian). Also worth a read to dive maybe in self-criticism / reflection on our own and through customs and wonder if we really like that ...