Modern Family, French Style
In a very endearing style reminiscent of Guy de Maupassant and Gustave Flaubert, Françoise Bourdin brings the modern French family into center stage with “The Man of Their Lives”.
The story of Louis, a 40-year old widower with a teen-age son and Francine, a 40-year old divorcée also with a teen-age son, “The Man of Their Lives” relates how Louis and Francine deal with falling in love for a second time while navigating the maze of their dysfunctional families and teenage angst courtesy of their sons.
And while the setting is definitely Paris, the circumstances in “The Man of Their Lives” can easily be set in any modern city of today. Françoise Bourdin captured the current zeitgeist on marriage and family relationships not just in France but the western world in general.
This book is Rated M for Mature due to some sexual content and adult situation
Synopsis:
When Louis, a magnetic 40-something musician searching for true love, meets Francine, a young divorcée who immediately falls for him, everything seems simple. However, even though Louis is a widower, he needs the approval of his meddling twin sister, Alix, and his troubled adolescent son, Frédéric. What’s more, Francine happens to be Frédéric’s French teacher and the mother of a boy he hates.
Inevitably, things quickly become problematic for Louis and Francine. It will take all of Francine’s determination and a little help from fate for her to finally win the love of her life. With endearing warmth, Françoise Bourdin explores the difficulties of starting over at age 40 and the day-to-day worries that arise when families merge.
