Author Beth Haslam has written a book that is sure to brighten the dreariest of days; I have been ill and it sure did that for me. There is a wealth of wonderful writing to enjoy in this richly descriptive account of the adventures and misadventures of Haslam, along with her husband Jack and two fat dogs, in their search to find a second home retirement property in Southern France. Much to my delight, the story is chock full of unusual (An Understatement) characters who take the personality traits of quirky and eccentric to new, outrageous levels. The situations these intrepid explorers encounter are hilarious, and at times perilous. A real page turner; I kept wondering what would happen next. Expect the unexpected when you read this superbly crafted travel memoir by an extraordinary writer. Haslam applies detail exceptionally well; I especially enjoyed the vivid, comic descriptions of decrepit houses and neglected estates among the properties visited by Beth and Jack. The dogs were definitely two wild cards in the deck and added more than their share of humor (And exasperation) with their unpredictable antics. FAT DOGS AND FRENCH ESTATES, PART I was a great joy to read and I now look forward to reading the second book of the series in what promises to be another fascinating and entertaining journey. Highly recommended. 5 enthusiastic stars.

I enjoyed Beth Haslam's book a great deal and much of it was laugh-out-loud funny, particularly the descriptions of their dogs. She writes well and engagingly and there are none of the errors due to lack of proper editing that can be so annoying. The little sketches were charming and added a lot to the narrative. However, I felt as though the book should have incorporated at least Part 1 and Part 2. It needed closure; where it ended, too much was left hanging for it to seem like a complete work. There was an extract that continued the tale and that did help; I was just surprised because other memoirs which I've read didn't stop in the middle of the search for a home, but continued until the place was at least found if not purchased. Then if there were a sequel it dealt with moving in, adjustments, and so forth. It's a very funny and interesting book as it is, and I may be the only one caught up short like that, but I felt it deserved a mention. I will look forward to Part 2!

It’s not bad, and most of the whining is self directed. I am having trouble warming up to Biff; although Sam seems a bit more my style of dog. I’ll read the next one and see

First, I chose this book as I had visited the South of France many years ago, loved it, but I wanted to “visit” again from a different perspective. I must say, this book exceeded my expectations.

When the author and her husband Jack leave England to find a property to buy in the South of France, they have no idea what they’re in for as they travel with their two dogs to look at various domaines. For me, this book read like a favorite sitcom with colorful and hilarious characters. The two “leads,” Beth and Jack, are compatible, but they have very different personalities. Both are very humorous in their own right. I related to Beth’s breezy and funny observations and also to Jack’s more sarcastic and impatient take on matters. The entire book has a natural humor throughout … very real and never forced.

As I was reading, I jotted down a long list of notes to put in my review as there was so much that I found quite charming. In the first chapter, when the author mentioned that speed limits in France were merely suggestions, I know there were many more laughs to come. But here’s the thing, now that I’m looking at this long list, I’m not going to use it. To be too specific in this review would be to deprive the reader of stumbling upon the many gems in this book as I did.

I’ll only say that as Beth and Jack travel to each property that is for sale, what they find ranges from shocking to appalling to downright side-splitting. True life really is stranger than fiction. To say each property had unique features would be a vast understatement. Not only were there lots of laughs seeing these properties through Beth and Jack’s eyes, but it was a fascinating insight into the worlds that people create for themselves.

I can’t wait to read the next book. This is really a wonderful take-me-away read … and beautifully written as well.

I have just finished reading this funny book by Beth Haslam. My review follows Haslam’s book blurb found on Amazon.

“Buying a country estate in France seemed such a simple thing to accomplish. When Beth, her irascible husband Jack, and their two fat dogs set off, little do they know that it will become such an extraordinary adventure. Surviving near-death experiences, they drive thousands of kilometres around French estates steeped in history and crazy aristocrats. Will they find their dream home, or return to Britain defeated? This is the hilarious first instalment in the Fat Dogs series.”

This book is about moving from England to rural France and what happens in the process. The story is well-written with more than adequate descriptions, which is nice for the mind to visualize. Haslam uses funny moments as she is optimistic whereas her husband complains, and is rather grumpy. The drawings are a nice twist to see in a memoir. I feel that this books ending could have been better, if a home had been found, and then the next books of the series continued onward.

Wow, I seem to be the only reader so far who did not like this book! It's not awful at all, and sometimes Beth Haslam can be very witty. But, in short, her writing style is too long-winded, and oh my, the over-statements and the repetition of any incident she considers funny! She is sometimes plainly irritating. Normally I adore these books where people emigrate to France, usually buy a run-down property, battle with French bureaucracy and count the pennies carefully. Beth and husband seem just a little too well-off to keep my attention. There seems to be no problems with money, no pennypinching. They stay in fancy hotels. They definitely do not view tumble-down farmhouses. The mansions they see might have hideous aspects, but nowhere, it seems, would it be necessary for them to do anything more to the place except paint it and get rid of ghastly furniture and accoutrements. And in getting from one property-for-sale to another Beth describes every bend in the road, every hairpin turn, every rock ... Yikes.

Especially irritating was Beth's continuous attempts to make her grumpy husband sound amusing. I could not work up any empathy for this character. He comes across as a very difficult old man, and Beth either really is, or pretends to be "the long-suffering wife" who smooths over his outbursts and impatience.

Beth tries far too hard to be witty, and she does not know how to tell a story more concisely. It is not necessary to repeat funny stuff -- we get the joke the first time round. The overall impression was that she was determined to write a book about "our French adventure", but she simply does not have enough subject matter, so the descriptions of the search for a house with "hunting grounds" is endlessly drawn out. It does not measure up to the many far-better books on the same subject.

I love animals, but the book starts with an endless tale of the two dogs, of horses, and of golf: I was really, really bored by all that. And as their journey goes on, and at least one dog keeps making a nuisance of himself, I felt like shouting, "For God's sake, why didn't you leave the two mutts in a kennel until you were settled?" Many people might find the doggy do's funny, but it's only funny the first time around. I pitied the poor home-owners (keen to sell) who had to put up with the dogs running around, while these two rather impossible characters inspected house and grounds.

Confession: I could not finish the book. Beth needs a ruthless editor, and simply better stories to tell. Sorry.

Fat Dogs and French Estates, Part 1 by Beth Haslam, is such a funny book! The story centers around the author, Beth, and her husband, Jack. The book chronicles their travels to France from England, where they are in search of a new home to spend their elder years. Their two dogs are in tow on the car adventure, and both pups add to the capers.

I must say that the author had me laughing and giggling throughout the story. The relationship between the two central figures and their dogs plays out like a mad-cap comedy. The reader follows Beth and Jack on their house-hunting visits, and the ensuing situations and characters that weave through the story are so real and funny.

I was in the mood for travel and some laughter, and this book brought both! Beth Haslam is a favorite travel author because of her details of the environment, her delicious sense of humor, and her ability to convey the adventure that always comes with travel!

This is the author’s 2nd book I have read, and I will undoubtedly be more of her books. In fact, I will be reading all the books in her “Fat Dogs and French Estates” series.

Wonderful travel tales told with splendid humor!

One of the reasons I purchased this book was I was in the mood for a comedy and something that was an easy read. Although I basically thought the book was okay there was too much detail on the actual travel routes taken which I thought was quite unnecessary for a person not familiar with the French systems. A little less of the actual travel routes and more about the actual story would have been preferred.

This book resembles my life and I guess that is why I had so many laughs. Beth's husband (Jack) loves tinkering, grease, keeps everything just in case, drives to get from point A to B and is short on patience. They have two dogs with totally different personalities as back seat passengers and a love of B&B's. The only thing missing from my life is a search for an estate in France which Beth takes on with determination. You know when you travel in different countries and your greatest wish is to see the inside of those lovely houses ( at least mine is), well your greatest wish is Beth's command! Beth does the research, hires estate agents and we have a literary tour of some of the great estates in Provence. Well what a tour and what quirky owners and agents! I won't go into details but needless to say I laughed through the whole book. Did they find the right estate to suit their needs - not yet - you'll have to read Part 2. Part 1 is a must read first . You don't want to miss the antics, the tours, the people, Sam and Biff (the dogs) and of course Jack and Beth. You won't be disappointed.

Fat Dogs and French Estates- had me thinking that this book would be all about dogs and in the beginning it does appear so but the title is slightly deceptive because this story is about a lot more than those cute dogs Sam and Biff.

We are invited to peek into the exploratory move of Beth Haslam and her husband to France and their adventures along the way. They've decided to move to France and this trip is all about finding the estate which would be just right for their little family. So you the reader join Beth and her husband on their journey.

Fat Dogs and French Estates is succinctly written and is peppered with numerous anecdotes that will make you laugh out aloud or atleast smile and what I loved about the writing was the biting sarcasm that is extremely humorous at the same time. The author, Beth has a way of looking at things with such clarity and getting to the point of the matter all the while making you laugh while getting there. Not an easy feat to achieve.

The description of her married life, made me dwell on my married life and the little kinks that set in but which we accept as a couple. You can help relating to her artful descriptions filled with snarky jocularity and relate it in some way to your own life too.

Most of all I loved the way she blatantly describes her dear husband, Jack's foibles. It makes him so real that I could almost imagine him in front of me. She definitely isn't wearing rose colored glasses while she passes observations on him. He isn't the mills and boons kind of hero but definitely the sort of husband one can expect in real life. One can't help sense the bonds of love and companionship that many years of marriage can't help but produce.

Last but not the least, let's not forget Beth Haslam's descriptive writing ~ it's factual, tactful, adroitly expressed and full of comical occurrences and observations.

This book will take you places, set your imagination on fire and leave you laughing. A must not miss. 5 well earned stars.

Fat Dogs was a lot of fun to read. It's a well written and very amusing description of Beth and her husband's, and their dogs', encounters with home owners, real estate agents and others on their journey through France looking for a potential new home.

Mostly enjoyable with some very funny parts, especially about the dogs. I just didn't like the focus on hunting, but Ms Haslam writes well and the topic of house hunting was a great way to do a travelogue about France and some of the more unusual eccentricities of the rural French people.

I only read books that I know I am going to enjoy, and this one I’d had a sneak preview of when it was Kindle Book of the Day and promptly earmarked it for a rainy weekend when nothing else was likely to cheer me up. So what’s the story? Author Beth Haslam and irascible but good-natured hubby Jack decide to buy a second house in France because their home in England is too small for their retirement needs. Their grand plan is to buy a small country estate that is large enough to accommodate both their individual and joint interests, namely golf, dogs, DIY and ‘countryside pursuits’. After much research, they come up with a list of 12 ‘domaines’ in Provence, six of which are visited in this book.

Sounds like a plan, doesn’t it? But things go horribly wrong: having stuffed their two portly pups (Sam and Biff) into their car and having endured a horror night in the Eurotunnel, Beth and Jack soon find themselves on a hiding to nothing, courtesy of a string of inept estate agents and ‘domaine’ owners who are as outlandish as their properties. One guy is a mad driver taxidermist with stuffed animals in his pockets, another is an Italian chef with a phobia of wasps and a love of bunny burgers, while a third has a ‘relaxing room’ that looks like a set of Pirates of the Caribbean! Poor Jack. This estate hunting soon has him IN a state: ‘So far,’ he moans, ‘we’ve endured sweltering heat, a tempest, hail stones the size of golf balls, a freezing cold gale – and we’ve only been here three days!’

The laughs come thick and fast in this wonderful, and beautifully written, book which is as much a travelogue as it is a memoir. I learnt so much about the varying regions of Provence for instance (I’m definitely going to Vouvray. Like the French, I do like a good sausage!) while the interiors of some of the rambling, shambling estates visited are described in such rib-tickling manner that I really want to go see them myself. Beth, pleeese post a pic of that bed like a floating boxing ring! As for the dogs, well I am not a dog lover but Biff the myopic Norfolk terrier with his ‘vocational necessity’ to attack anything in black trousers had me in stitches.

Best thing is, there’s another book in the series, and more adventures for the hapless Haslams. I do like the sound of road atlases at dawn!