French Dirt: The Story of a Garden in the South of France

By Richard Goodman

Book Overview

A story about dirt--and about sun, water, work, elation, and defeat. And about the sublime pleasure of having a little piece of French land all to oneself to till.

Richard Goodman saw the ad in the paper: "SOUTHERN FRANCE: Stone house in Village near Nimes/Avignon/Uzes. 4 BR, 2 baths, fireplace, books, desk, bikes. Perfect for writing, painting, exploring & experiencing la France profonde. $450 mo. plus utilities." And, with his girlfriend, he left New York City to spend a year in Southern France.

The village was small--no shops, no gas station, no post office, only a caf and a school. St. Sebastien de Caisson was home to farmers and vintners. Every evening Goodman watched the villagers congregate and longed to be a part of their camaraderie. But they weren't interested in him: he was just another American, come to visit and soon to leave. So Goodman laced up his work boots and ventured out into the vineyards to work among them. He met them first as a hired worker, and then as a farmer of his own small plot of land.

French Dirt is a love story between a man and his garden. It's about plowing, planting, watering, and tending. It's about cabbage, tomatoes, parsley, and eggplant. Most of all, it's about the growing friendship between an American outsider and a close-knit community of French farmers.

"There's a genuine sweetness about the way the cucumbers and tomatoes bridge the divide of nationality." --The New York Times Book Review

"One of the most charming, perceptive and subtle books ever written about the French by an American." --San Francisco Chronicle

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1565123522
• ISBN13: 9781565123526
• Release Date: April 2002
• Publisher: Algonquin Books
• Length: 203 Pages
• Weight: 0.79 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.9" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

"French Dirt"

As May came to Wellsboro, I longed for the smell of fresh air and the feel of my hands in the dirt. Reading Richard Goodman's "French Dirt" satisfied me when my garden efforts were stymied. An account of an American who eventually gets to know his new neighbors in a small village in France, I think "French Dirt" is better than the more well-known books by Peter Mayle. Editor,"Of A Predatory Heart"

Skillfully written and heartfelt,...

Skillfully written and heartfelt, I found Richard Goodman'ssundrenched first novel "French Dirt" a true feast on everylevel. A must read - I literally could not put this novel down. I was transported into Mr. Goodman's village, St. Sebastien de Caisson - where the earth, sun and love interweave with one another like a summer salad - filled with fresh tomatoes that burst in your mouth from the heat of the sun, and a love story that will stir your soul. You won't want to miss a word, or a moment, of this enchanting journey!

Help Yourself to Richard's Garden

This delightful short novel explores the author (an American) and his girlfriend's endeavors to cultivate friends and fruit in the south of France. I found myself walking alongside Richard as he introduced himself to his first real friend, Monsier Vasquez, as he binged on plant buying, as he picked his first vegetable. His description of the prank in which one of the least likely villagers placed perfect red, ripe tomatoes in his garden in early June was hilarious. For anyone wanting to experience living in a small French village this book vividly plants you there!

i read it four times in two days

I borrowed this book from a library a few years ago and haven't seen it since. During the two weeks I had it, I walked around the house repeating Richard Goodman's pungent phrases, causing my roommate to wonder what I was babbling about "crisp, dirty carrots". His imagery brings his garden to life before your eyes. Now that I am a gardener myself, I appreciate his vision and his bright words more than ever. A real jewel for anyone who enjoys gardening or France.

Like a garden on a sunny day...

... this book is a pleasure for the senses and a gentle adventure for the spirit, chronicling the author's year in Southern France and his dream of raising a garden there. It's part travelogue, part gardener's journal, part pilgrimmage and wholly enjoyable. A feast of a book!