Rating: 
Summary: Three stars for great intentions ...
Review: ... but falls short of five stars for execution. The concept is great -- hey, how many of stateside gals don't want to be enigmatic, insouciantly stylish and able to eat all the brie and drink all the wine we want without having to pay the consequences? (Well, not me -- I'm one of those vegetarian "extraterrestrials" the French apparently love to loathe, and since, according to Entre Nous, I'd be hard pressed to find a dress size 12 or above in any respectable French boutique, I can forget about spending my greenbacks on threads at Rue de Anywhere).
First problem -- the woman wearing the toile de jouy print dress on the cover -- do ANY French women really wear that stuff? Make drapes out of it maybe, but wear it? Hmmm, that bugs me. But the poodle is cute (if cliched). I'm a dog lover, so right there I guess I'm already half-French. (In fact, I am entirely of French ancestry, so why -- come to think of it -- was I reading this book in the first place?)
I think that if the book had taken something different as its goal -- say, the exploration of what makes French women uniquely French -- it would have worked. But the book sets the reader up for a primer on something that we can never be -- truly French femmes -- no matter how much double C stuff we buy (real or fake) or how fetching the author may think running for "le Metro" in kitten heels is.
The French woman is extremely guarded, if you believe the book ... and I guess I have to, 'til that ticket on Air France falls from the sky. Now I don't know about you, but that's one of the things I cherish about America -- the openness of people, their willingness to wear the heart on the sleeve, the smile on the face. It's earthy. It's spirit-lifting. And in spite of how many times we might embarass ourselves in public doing it, most of us go right on doing it. When we say "have a nice day", we mean it more often than not. (Well, I like to think so). Apparently la Francaise don't. To quote the inimitable Steve Martin, "Well excuuuuuuse me!"
This book does not speak to the idea (myth or reality?) that the French are Jerry Lewis-loving loons. I'd like to know if they are, really. Anybody reading this who can answer that for me, I'll send you five bucks. Honestly. Because Jerry Lewis is, again, sooooooo American. Are they making an exception for Jerry Lewis? And if so why? In a country that loves its Sartre, its Camus, its right to smoke in the maternity wards of hospitals (apparently a right God has bequeathed on them especially from time immemorial, never mind the tiny pink newborn lungs that might happen to be taking their first breaths), why for the love of Pete are we supposed to buy wholesale that they love Jerry Lewis? Then again, it would be one of those delightful contradictions that the French are so famous for.
Which I guess boils things down for me: if I'm to believe that contradictions = enigmatic = mysteriously, enchantingly appealing, then that isn't going to play real well here in the U.S. of A. Men ALREADY don't know what to make of us, and we're supposed to become more opaque? Huh?
So this book is fun -- it's a lark -- but don't take it too seriously. I read it in a day, and made a list of all the movies and books I eventually have to watch/read, though I have already watched Amelie oh, I don't know, thirteen times, and in my next life I'm coming back as Audrey Tatou anyway, so I've got a jump on that.
Maybe the best thing to pay attention to is the thread running through Entre Nouse that whispers "slow down, enjoy things in the moment, don't rush about so much". We really do work our derrieres off just to keep up with the Joneses here, when in fact maybe what we need is a little more time spent noticing the small, beautiful things every day. That's the thing I will take most with me from having read this book, and I think that it's worth reading for this, if for nothing else.
Rating: 
Summary: "French Lessons" Made Easy
Review: Entre Nous is a delightful, easy read about French women's "certain something". If you find the French intriguing (French WOMEN in particular), you will most likely enjoy this lighthearted look at the culture, lifestyle and attitudes of the women and people of France. Not meant to be taken TOO seriously, this book is the author's personal take on why so much mystery surrounds French women. You may find yourself sharing her point of view by the time you finish reading. Reviewer: Linda Painchaud
Rating:
Summary: Fresh Take on the French
Review: ENTRE NOUS provides new insight into what makes French women tick. Debra Ollivier's specific examples of her own French friends, excellent movie and book recommendations and even recipes make this a light, fun read while being informative. And she's not gushingly adoring of the French - she provides a balanced look at at what works and doesn't work for both French and American women. I especially liked the comparisons. Of course there is poverty (and McDonald's) in France but this book fulfills its purpose of examining the chic French women many admire and would like to emulate.
Rating:
Summary: For Francophiles or anyone wishing to live more elegantly
Review: I finished this book last night and could easily keep it on hand as a reference for wonderful, conscious, elegant, sophisticated living. (Unfortunately, I borrowed it from the library and have to take it back. :( ) While this book doesn't cover many things I would have liked to known, you read the last page with an indirect knowledge of how a French girl would act in most situations. The best thing I got from this book (I took notes as I read) was a wealth of names of French people to look up (Pauline de Rothschild), French movie recommendations (Milou en Mai), French books to read, including wonderful cookbooks to peruse (Mastering the Art of French Cooking), and entertaining tips. Read this book and savor all the wonderful things that can be learned from it. For anyone interested in a fresh take on life!
Rating:
Summary: For Francophiles or anyone wishing to live more elegantly
Review: I finished this book last night and could easily keep it on hand as a reference for wonderful, conscious, elegant, sophisticated living. (Unfortunately, I borrowed it from the library and have to take it back. :( ) While this book doesn't cover many things I would have liked to known, you read the last page with an indirect knowledge of how a French girl would act in most situations. The best thing I got from this book (I took notes as I read) was a wealth of names of French people to look up (Pauline de Rothschild), French movie recommendations (Milou en Mai), French books to read, including wonderful cookbooks to peruse (Mastering the Art of French Cooking), and entertaining tips. Read this book and savor all the wonderful things that can be learned from it. For anyone interested in a fresh take on life!
Rating: 
Summary: Love the simple, everyday things
Review: I found this book informative, as I have never been to France, nor studied French. I am, however, very interested in the lifestyle of a culture who takes pleasure in the simple, everyday 'pleasures'. I also love to cook and eat, and view food and wine as sensual pleasures to savor and enjoy, like the French do. I was hoping to get other ideas from the French to make everyday chores into something that delights me and makes me feel good. I did like the little boxed 'footnotes' Ollivier included all over. Most of them included movies or lists I want to commit to my file for examples of French and simple living...and I do love movies, books, and lists! The reason I gave the book 4 stars out of 5 is, though I really enjoyed the book and will keep it to reread, there are no color pictures. The book could have been so much better had there been photos to 'see', as well.
Rating:
Summary: Entres Nous - What American Women Can Learn from the French!
Review: I picked up this book by chance and couldn't put it down...it's a delight to read! Sure, it plays into stereotypes but there is always some truth to stereotypes, non? I also don't think the author intended for this to be a serious lesson in revamping your American self. Instead, I think she wanted to provide casual insight into what American women can take away from their French counterparts. Dieting, mass consumption - these are very American concepts. The reason the French don't have the problems with body image that we do is because they're much more about appreciating who they are and enjoying things without swinging to extremes on the pendulum. While we deprive ourselves of butter and desserts - yet still have the highest rates of obesity - the French indulge in rich, delicious foods but they do so in moderation. Americans who subscribe to this feast or famine, all or nothing mentality need to take a page out of the French book on moderation. The moderate tendencies of the French can also apply to clothing. In America, there is a tendancy to buy as much as we can at the blowout sale. Ollivier decribes how the French woman builds her wardrobe slowly and carefully with select items that flatter her. She only pulls out her wallet when she sees something she really wants and can afford that will also enhance her wardrobe - in the longterm. Not a bad lesson for those of us with credit card debt and a closet full of mediocre clothing that either doesn't flatter us or is yesterday's trend bought in large quantity at the chain store's last big sale. The book also covers relationships, friendships, entertaining, work, and the home. While you might not be inclined to do everything that a French woman might do, you may find some gems that work for you. Since reading the book, I know I think twice now when I feel this urge to rush through my meal to get onto the next task. I also spend a little more time enjoying my coffee and reading and a little less time worrying about time and schedules. Overall, Entre Nous is entertaining, lighthearted advice for any American woman who is looking to enjoy more with less. Yes, "the joie de vivre" is something that we all deserve to have a little more of, French or not.
Rating: 
Summary: superficial
Review: Often stereotypes are not wrong. They are just simplified and generalized images, without any insight or depths in understanding about people. Unfortunately, this is exactly what this book is about - stereotype. Although the portrays of French girls the author gives are not wrong, there is no depth no insight. Just individual episodes on French girls do this, Americans do that, which are not even original. I found this book a disappointment. If you do not know much about French, maybe this will be a starting point, but if you really want to know why and how French girls do it, there are much better books out like Frederic Fekkai's A Year of Style or Geneviere Antonine Dariaux's A Guide to Elegance. Finally, if you believe that the author knows French in and out because she is married to a French and lived in France for 10 years (as I did when I bought this book), it just shows that if someone does not have an observant eye, living ten years does not improve that. I learned more about French after living just a year in France.
Rating:
Summary: Recommended for insight to French culture.....
Review: Olivier is an enthusiastic and adoring commentator on culture of upper class France with good insight on this refined and ancient society. And her description of the concrete support the French government gives to families (maternal leave, affordable child care) puts the self-righteous lip service of our government to shame. I think this would be an excellent book to read before visiting France, if only to assure that you don't add to the myth of the "Ugly American Abroad".
However, if you are an American girl who, amazingly, manages to live with style, discretion and good food despite the lack of exposure to France, prepare to feel a little incredulous at the white-hot adoration with which Olivier describes her French girl while asserting her (and the French's) fondness for her description of the overly enthusiastic puppy-sish, sweats-clad, Velveeta-munching American girl. (Velveeta? I've never bought Velveeta in my life!)
As a native of California who has found much style, grace, and rituals of good food in my home region as did my sister Californians, M.F.K. Fischer and Julia Child, I am pleased that Olivier has found such joy in her culture by marriage. However, I hope I do not sound too jingoistic when I say that in her very acceptance and appreciation of the French culture (a very American/Californian trait) Olivier tends to treat her native culture with thinly veiled condescension ....a very French trait.
Rating:
Summary: Vignettes of French wisdom in an entertaining package
Review: This book expresses basic philosophies that seem to escape our daily existence. Through stories, antidotes, and profiles of admirable French women, this book can help you come to realize that one perfectly simple and elegant little black dress is better than a handful or mediocre ones. 'Tis better to spend your life with good friends, good food, and good belongings instead of passing the years with things that are stop-gap acceptions. I enjoy how the book helps to explain methods to find happiness that do not come from the pursuit and collection of an abundance of things that are meant to bring happiness, but miss the mark.
This book was given to me as a gift after I had spent some time in France. While there, I developed a love of French fashion and food, but also learned that there was this essence to French culture that made culture and pursuit of happiness top priorities. It was hard to keep that in my day-to-day life in the States, but this book reminded me of the basics. If you feel that "freedom" should replace all things "French", this book may not be for you. But I think it is a worthwhile read and I keep it on my bedside bookshelf.
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