When Beth, her beloved dog, Sam, and grumpy husband, Jack, return to France, disaster strikes. As they battle to restore order to their home, French authorities visit with shocking news. Obliged to sit examinations in French, coping with furred and feathered babies, and wrangling French tradesmen, there’s no let-up in this action-packed episode of the Haslams’ adventures.
Fat Dogs and French Estates, Part 4
By bethhaslam
This is another delightful offering in Beth Haslam’s Fat Dogs and French Estates series. Following on from book 3, I really enjoyed reading about Beth and Jack’s efforts to renovate their rambling French home. Although it’s almost impossible to gain a clear idea of the layout of their property, it doesn’t really matter as the couple’s enthusiasm for renovation and integration in their French life make up for any lack of visual images of the lovely but run down property they bought.
There were some vivid descriptions that I especially enjoyed, such as the night and day of the storm that decimated their woodlands. I admired their courage in setting out to find fuel with the world in apocalyptic disarray all around them. Then there were the lovely accounts of their wildlife viewing, the meetings they had with various eccentric locals at the auberge and the charming characters who help them with their renovations, not forgetting their champion Polish forest clearance team.
I laughed at the animals’ antics and Beth’s ability to persuade Jack into collecting ever more pets. Later, I cried with Beth when she loses two of them and felt her sorrow deeply.
Altogether, this was a lovely read with some evocative description, great dialogue and plenty of giggles too. And to add to the pleasure, I am getting to like grumpy Jack more with each book. He’s beginning to feel like an old friend now!
It takes hard work to retire in France.
Hard work if you love animals and manage forest land. That is to say Beth, who exhibits the personality of bubbling, sparkling water loves animals. Husband Jack who displays the personality of rough sandpaper hates animals as evidenced when he helps rescue a feral cat, climbs a tree with their old dog strapped to his back so they can all enjoy the view, and sits outside with rescue kittens crawling over him. Perhaps one of the most endearing qualities of this book—and it has many—is its irrefutable proof that no matter how opposite husband and wife seem, every marriage can work if the couple puts the effort into making it work.
Humor, wit, catastrophes, and quirky French characters combine for an enthralling read. When the 200-mile-an-hour storm Tempete Klaus roars through France, it kills twelve people, causes 1.2 billion euros in damage, destroys 2,000 trees on the Haslam’s property, and knocks down large areas of fencing.
Quirky French characters aide the recovery process, as well as the renovation project at the Haslam’s centuries-old home.
More tragedy as Beth’s fifteen-year-old Australian shepherd dies and an adventurous rescued kitten meets with disaster, but each heartbreak is overcome by British Beth and Jack who have found the home of their hearts in France.
Fat Dogs and French Estates Part IV is a memoir with heart and grit.
Beth Haslam’s writing just gets better and better! Full of laughter and a few tears, too, this charming sequel will keep you up reading late into the night.
Possibly the best of the bunch. Highly recommended.
Chickens, kittens, wild boars, eccentric builders, an irascible husband, and tragedy. This book has it all. This is a wonderful series of books, and Fat Dogs 4 is a delight to read. Once again, I was captivated by Beth’s ability to describe things so well that you can imagine that you are there with her as she battles more house renovations, brings up baby chickens, rabbits and kittens, and survives a battering storm. Her characters are all brought to life through her vivid descriptions, and I shed several tears as the story progressed. If you haven’t read any other books in the series, I can highly recommend starting with book 1 and work your way through this delightful series. The only problem is that you will come to the end of book 4, as I have, and be desperate to read more from this talented and entertaining writer. Hoping that book 5 is released soon!
I always look forward to the newest installment of the series and Part IV did not disappoint.
Beth’s humorous writing skills about her life in France with her partner Jack and all the animals makes for a real treat.
This time disaster strikes in the way of weather, new animals arrive and renovations abound.
The quirky and loveable French characters that enter Beth and Jack’s life make the read even more fun and adventurous.
My favorite parts are Beth describing Jack at his finest, either it be a conversation with her or one the workers they employ. Always good for laugh out load moments. Especially when Beth brings new animals into their lives.
If you haven’t read any of the Fat Dog adventures, you are truly missing out!