Fifteen years ago today, Him indoors and I did the most extraordinary thing. We sold up, packed up everything, switched off the lights and said goodbye to England. What on earth could have induced us to do such a thing? Sometimes in life we all reach that fork in the tree of life where a decision has to be made, the consequences of which can be far-reaching. But emigration - could you do it?
Pensioners in Paradis was published by Crooked Cat Books in 2017. I set out to write a non-fiction book but written in a readable, factional style, chronicling exactly what happened to us in 2005. I had no idea of the impact my book would bring. To date, over 800,000 pages have been read, it’s a 4-times international best-seller and it’s currently my publisher’s third best-seller of all time.
Ask any writer and they’ll all say the same thing. It’s impossible to predict what will catch the public’s attention. I’m fortunate that the combination of the inherent comedy and the idea of running away from life did appeal to readers. Here’s what the book’s about:
Humour is a joyous thing. It enables us to recognise the ridiculous and to empathise with life’s disasters. Take the lives of a self-deprecating couple from England, steeped in life’s troubles, and whisk them across the Channel. Laugh with them as they encounter hilarious situations en France - from troublesome workmen, the infamous bureaucracy and even sex a la francaise! Take notes on this transition from English doom and gloom to la belle vie francaise and follow the exploits of this oh-so-recognisable English couple. What could possibly go wrong?
For those who haven’t read it yet, here’s the buy link. It’s a welcome break from today’s troubles. mybook.to/pensionersinparadis
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