C'est la Folie cover art

C'est la Folie

One Man's Quest for a More Meaningful Life

Preview

£0.00 for first 30 days

Try for £0.00
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

C'est la Folie

By: Michael Wright
Narrated by: Michael Wright
Try for £0.00

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £21.99

Buy Now for £21.99

Confirm Purchase
Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.
Cancel

About this listen

One day in late summer, Michael Wright gave up his comfortable South London existence and, with only his long-suffering cat for company, set out to begin a new life. His destination was "La Folie", a dilapidated 15th century farmhouse in need of love and renovation in the heart of rural France.

In a bid to fulfil a childhood dream of becoming a Real Man, he struggles to make the journey from clinically social townie to rugged, solitary paysan. Through his enthusiastic attempts at looking after livestock and coming to terms with the concept of living Abroad Alone, he discovers what it takes to be a man at the beginning of the 21st century.

©2006 Michael Wright (P)2008 Isis Publishing Ltd
Environment Growing Up Travel Writing & Commentary Fiction Funny Inspiring Witty Adventure Cats
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Listeners also enjoyed...

Street: Empathy cover art
À La Mod cover art
C'est Modnifique! cover art
Sanctum: A Jake Crowley Adventure cover art
My Good Life in France cover art
Cider with Rosie cover art
RealmShift cover art
The Olive Farm cover art
Glass Houses cover art
The Tube Riders: Underground cover art
(Not Quite) Mastering the Art of French Living cover art
Chickens Eat Pasta cover art
The Olive Tree cover art
Return to the Olive Farm cover art
Narrow Minds cover art
Fresh Eggs and Dog Beds cover art

Critic reviews

"Wright captures the fun of the countryside perfectly." (Sunday Times)
"What elevates this book...is Wright's gentle humour and his ability to create a vivid impression of his literal and emotional journey...with such wit and perception." (Sunday Telegraph)

What listeners say about C'est la Folie

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    71
  • 4 Stars
    21
  • 3 Stars
    9
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    57
  • 4 Stars
    6
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    53
  • 4 Stars
    10
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

if you've ever dreamed of living the dream...

Then this is book for you! Francophile or not this books takes you away from the 9-5 into a world of nature, simplicity and tranquility.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

C'est merveilleux

Absolutely enchanting. I loved this book when I read it years ago. Now listening to it on Audible, il est devenu vivant!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

C'est formidable !

Listened to this first in a cottage in Northern Brittany but would have enjoyed it anywhere. Really funny, and yet very insightful and honest about his own character and those of the wonderful characters living around him. His love and enthusiasm for the country and the people he meets shine through. Listening also evoked many memories of growing up in the late 60's and 70's as well as capturing the difficulties of learning and speaking another language while in that country. His reading is note perfect.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

emotional roll through life in rural france

I have loved this book and the one that follows. Funny, honest, account of the struggles to adapt to a very different life. I loved his different accents and his bit and pieces of French language. I will play it again and again.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

I felt like I could relate to the writer from the off. Lots of nostalgic and inspiring feelings mixed in with a certain something. If only the English had a word for it.. It was as if someone had access to my brain at times, such were the thoughts that the writer told with a subtle, but sophisticated skill. On to the next book I can find by Michael Wright.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Entertaining throughout!

Enjoyed the characters and how the story draws you into the lifestyle created by Peter in rural France ! His kind thoughtful sincere and interesting personality is engaging ! Loved the book !

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Supprisingly adictive

I bought this book because I have always wanted to live in France. I found this book addictive and what ever the audible equivalent of a page turner. I listened to the book in about 5 days and can't wait to listen to the follow up. Michael's description of living with Chickens has even made a true towny like me think about it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A wonderful story

Michael tells the wonderfully warm story of his adventure moving to France. His warm tone and sensitive words paint a wonderful picture of his life at La Folie.

I’d recommend this to anyone who, like I, have a dream of escaping to France.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Tres agreable

I really enjoyed this lovely tender book so much so that I will read the sequels

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A gentle dip into the real side of France

Would you listen to C'est la Folie again? Why?

I've listened to this book several times and enjoyed it each time. It's so well written, with beautifully descriptive sections, factual daily-life stories and humourous episodes - all adding up to a vivid snapshot of the author's adjustments to life in France.

What did you like best about this story?

The fact that the author read it himself. He reads well. I also liked hearing about the differences between English and French life. I'm a Francophile, so perhaps I'm biased! I was very interested in learning about the Ouessant sheep (you have to read the book!).

What does Michael Wright bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Somehow it makes it more believable with the author reading it.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Made me laugh in parts. Didn't cry - don't think it was meant to make you cry!

Any additional comments?

A must-read for anyone interested in France and the French.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!