They Eat Horses, Don't They?

November 3, 2014
British-born francophile and France-resident Eatwell conducts a lighthearted journey through her adopted country by setting the record straight on commonly held stereotypes about the French. Divvying her subject up into 10 categories ranging from food and drink to the shifty relations between the United Kingdom and France, Eatwell includes a series of myths for each section that she explores with historical and contemporary anecdotes backed by secondary sources, but her conclusions seem somewhat subjective, and she concedes, “opinions and conclusions in this book are entirely my own.” It is true that the French kiss upon greeting, tend to forgive political adulterers, have not quit smoking, and dislike pooper scoopers, yet it is surprising to find resistance among Parisians to the once ubiquitous bidet. While the point of view is decidedly British, the combination of history, trivia, and firsthand observations offers insights into the cultures on both ends of the Chunnel. Agent: Andrew Lownie, Andrew Lownie Literary Agency (U.K.)

October 15, 2014
In this debut, Eatwell pulls back the veil on France and French culture, exposing the truth behind 45 myths that have swirled around the French for ages.Through research and interviews with countless English and French people, the author begins by examining the eating, drinking and bathing habits of the French. She intertwines historical facts with present-day evaluations, providing readers with in-depth analyses on a wide array of topics, including the eating of horse meat in France, the numerous types of cheese available and the subcultures that surround them, and the drinking habits of the old and young. She examines French toilets and plumbing, which body parts French women shave, if any, and the use of the bidet, which turned into a common feature in whorehouses; it was "the indispensable tool of the trade for the world's oldest profession, a receptacle for ablutions, a cleansing contraceptive, purger of venereal disease, and in some cases an aid to home abortion." Lovers of Paris will enjoy Eatwell's chronicles of her journeys through the streets of the Left Bank in search of artists and writers, her descents into the Paris Metro and cataloging of its various smells. She also discusses the massive amount of canine excrement found on Paris streets. In addition, she follows the French on holiday as they flee the cities and migrate to the coast and tells all on French women going topless on the beaches. The French have influenced cultures around the world, but particularly that of the British, and Eatwell also studies the effects French food and culture have had on their neighbors across the Channel. At the end of each piece, the author provides a "myth evaluation" on the myth's overall veracity. Entertaining mini-essays that debunk common idealized conceptions of the French.

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December 1, 2014

Join former lawyer/filmmaker Eatwell as she debunks myths about the French in this fun, informative guide. Each chapter presents a myth followed by a thorough, well-researched explanation and ends with a "myth evaluation" of true, false, or somewhere in between. Beginning with food, the author explores the titular tradition about the French predilection for horses, frogs, and snails and concludes that it's "arguably true." Along with fictions about France's cuisine, the book investigates the truth behind about all things French from French sex and marriage to the French on holiday and the country's history and culture. Eatwell, herself a British import to France, concludes with a section on "the best of enemies" by looking at tales concerning the two countries. For example, the accepted wisdom about the British as expert gardeners is determined to be false as she judiciously notes that "the French and English have been champions of gardening at different periods of history." The volume contains delightful illustrations and photographs. VERDICT Eatwell's myth busting has broad appeal and will draw in readers, from Francophiles to history and culture buffs alike.--Lacy S. Wolfe, Ouachita Baptist Univ. Lib., Arkadelphia, AR

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