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Lessons in Impermanence: A Barn-Dwellers Guide to Woodwork and Buddhism in Brittany
What happens when you pluck a family from a Welsh hillside and transplant them in a French Field?
How do you renovate a derelict pig shed 'pas de finance'?
Lessons in Impermanence: A Barn-Dwellers Guide to Woodwork and Buddhism in Brittany, is an exploration of experimental living. Jettisoning the 9 to 5, Jane Parry documents the Breton country year in a journal, facing up to the many challenges involved when you opt to live 'close to nature'.These challenges encompass the physical and psychical, material and emotional. Mousetraps, schooling, the French tax system, yoga, riverflows and mandalas all provide scope for new experiences.
A candid account of rural Breton living, Lessons in Impermanence reveals the development of a very personal philosophy, as Jane and her family embrace the difficulties and triumphs of their alternative lifestyle with wit and humour.
How do you renovate a derelict pig shed 'pas de finance'?
Lessons in Impermanence: A Barn-Dwellers Guide to Woodwork and Buddhism in Brittany, is an exploration of experimental living. Jettisoning the 9 to 5, Jane Parry documents the Breton country year in a journal, facing up to the many challenges involved when you opt to live 'close to nature'.These challenges encompass the physical and psychical, material and emotional. Mousetraps, schooling, the French tax system, yoga, riverflows and mandalas all provide scope for new experiences.
A candid account of rural Breton living, Lessons in Impermanence reveals the development of a very personal philosophy, as Jane and her family embrace the difficulties and triumphs of their alternative lifestyle with wit and humour.
156 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2014
About the author
Jane Parry
2 books1 follower“An artist, her ability to use colour and form have translated effortlessly to painting with words”
Jane writes creative non-fiction, taking inspiration from the landscape of north Wales. Her new book NONCONFORMIST is about discovering her Welsh roots, exploring the language and culture of contemporary Cymru.
Jane's first book LESSONS IN IMPERMANENCE is a memoir documenting life in a Breton barn. She lives on the Isle of Anglesey in north-west Wales.
Jane writes creative non-fiction, taking inspiration from the landscape of north Wales. Her new book NONCONFORMIST is about discovering her Welsh roots, exploring the language and culture of contemporary Cymru.
Jane's first book LESSONS IN IMPERMANENCE is a memoir documenting life in a Breton barn. She lives on the Isle of Anglesey in north-west Wales.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 7, 2016
I received a copy of this book from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
Being a French woman living in the UK I was quite interested to know how the reverse experience worked for that family.
The book is very well written and easy to read.
Having watched a few TV shows of British people moving to France I was expecting the family to face similar problems to most and I wasn't disappointed, from the language barrier to the heavy and complicated bureaucracy, all was there. Despite all the problems, the optimism remains, which is very British and very unFrench!
Jane Parry's novel is a promising first novel although more of a diary than a novel. I think it would have been more complete as a novel with non personal fiction elements to it which would have added a bit more drama/humour and rhythm to the book.
Being a French woman living in the UK I was quite interested to know how the reverse experience worked for that family.
The book is very well written and easy to read.
Having watched a few TV shows of British people moving to France I was expecting the family to face similar problems to most and I wasn't disappointed, from the language barrier to the heavy and complicated bureaucracy, all was there. Despite all the problems, the optimism remains, which is very British and very unFrench!
Jane Parry's novel is a promising first novel although more of a diary than a novel. I think it would have been more complete as a novel with non personal fiction elements to it which would have added a bit more drama/humour and rhythm to the book.
July 8, 2016
The Good Life, in France, with baguettes.
A middle class family decide to shed the trappings of modern life to live cheaply in a barn in France.
The annoying thing about the of the book is that the writer spends much of the book obsessing about designer labels, eating out, makeup etc whilst still claiming that this new paired down life is better. There's alot made about the fact she wishes to be seen as working class yet this is plainly not the case as the children sit and play chess and she talks of London noodle bars. The whole book seems to focus around denial, its not about the wanting to have less, the book is about being able to afford less than you want.
Not awful but only three stars
A middle class family decide to shed the trappings of modern life to live cheaply in a barn in France.
The annoying thing about the of the book is that the writer spends much of the book obsessing about designer labels, eating out, makeup etc whilst still claiming that this new paired down life is better. There's alot made about the fact she wishes to be seen as working class yet this is plainly not the case as the children sit and play chess and she talks of London noodle bars. The whole book seems to focus around denial, its not about the wanting to have less, the book is about being able to afford less than you want.
Not awful but only three stars
November 29, 2015
It was interesting but I would have liked more detail about the renovation of the barn and the daily living and perhaps more of the promised humour, and less space devoted to phylosophy and angst about returning to the UK. On the other hand it is truthful about the difficulties about moving to France and shows that life is not always greener there and not always the idyll as sometimes portrayed, also that sometimes you can find you ideal life by looking in your own 'backyard'. I loved the description of the countryside which is beautifully written.
I received a free copy of 'Lessons in Impermanence' thanks to the publisher and the Goodreads Firstread Giveaway.
I received a free copy of 'Lessons in Impermanence' thanks to the publisher and the Goodreads Firstread Giveaway.
gave-up-on
September 20, 2020Unfortunately I can't give a full review.
The writing style is very easy, flows well enough and does have a great family dynamic of the two different lives. France vs UK. However I was desperately wanting something more to kick in earlier about Buddhism. Hence being the reason as to why I entered to win-review this on Goodreads.
2 stars up to 23 pages.
I would like to thank the giveaway lister and Goodreads for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review.
The writing style is very easy, flows well enough and does have a great family dynamic of the two different lives. France vs UK. However I was desperately wanting something more to kick in earlier about Buddhism. Hence being the reason as to why I entered to win-review this on Goodreads.
2 stars up to 23 pages.
I would like to thank the giveaway lister and Goodreads for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews