Sep 18, Rachel Burton rated it really liked it Shelves: Al 3 of these books are fabulous but I think this is my favourite. No spoilers but oh there are some huge shocks but the balance of heartbreaking sadness and laugh out loud moments make wonderful reading. Here's to a forth!
May 07, Jacqueline rated it it was amazing Shelves: Her relationship is not going well, she falls out of love with French village life and then her world is turned upside down by an accident involving a friend. This is a heart-wrenching and far more emotional read than Karen's first two books, Tout Sweet and Toute Allure. However despite the somewhat subdued feel, Karen is still able to bring alive the changing seasons of the Poitou-Charentes countryside, that I know and love so well, with her descriptions of her daily walks with Biff, her beloved doggy companion.
Having Biff and his need for routine and care really gave meaning to her life during the dark times and his antics often made me smile. She also has the ability to write about very personal situations with honesty, openness and without making the reader feel uncomfortable, but a box of tissues may come in handy. I am looking forward to reading more about Karen's life in her next book.
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Aug 06, Christine Corrigan rated it liked it. While I really enjoyed Tout Sweet, this book left me a bit flat, notwithstanding it's very sad and tragic turn of events.
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For the first part of the book, I couldn't help but wonder why the author did not see a therapist to deal with her depression, or at least so she could get her own medication, rather than borrow a friend's. Later in the book, I found the author's insights regarding how to create a life with meaning -- care for other people, take up another's cross, be a good friend -- anythin While I really enjoyed Tout Sweet, this book left me a bit flat, notwithstanding it's very sad and tragic turn of events.
Later in the book, I found the author's insights regarding how to create a life with meaning -- care for other people, take up another's cross, be a good friend -- anything, but profound. Had she never heard any of these things before? I actually felt sad for her in the end, that it took such a loss for her to figure these things out at age plus. Jun 29, Sherill Leonardi rated it really liked it. A surprising little memoir packed with all of the humor, miscommunications and angst of a love affair gone terribly wrong.
British expat, Karen Wheeler, learns the value of life's stumbling blocks and in the process taps into the happiness locked in her heart. A great beach read! May 15, Gail Richmond rated it liked it. I have mixed feelings about this book. Everything else seems secondary. Yes, she renovates a decrepit house while changing from a fashionista to nature-living villager.
And I give her credit for all she had to learn, from cooking to camping and how to build a fire as well as how to speak French. Her ex-patriot British friends are odd character I have mixed feelings about this book. Her ex-patriot British friends are odd characters and some are so mean-spirited and nasty, with total life issues.
Sex seems to rule the world of rural life. Oct 14, Bobbie Darbyshire rated it it was ok. Not the sort of book I would normally read, except that my sister gave it to me last Christmas and it has emerged at the top of the TBR pile. It is light, but well-written, and the story carried me along. If this is the kind of book you like, then you will like this book. Wow I feel as if I've been living Karen's life with her throughout this 3rd book in her series!
I'm emotionally spent, but in a "good way"! Jun 03, Susan Mcdonald rated it it was amazing. Tout Soul is the third book of Karen Wheeler's "Tout" series. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel! Karen's writing is so beautiful, I felt like I was there in France and could visualize the small villages, bistros, and the characters. I don't want to spoil what happens in Tout Soul, so I won't comment much on the plot. However, the emotions invoked by Karen's writing are powerful, and I highlighted several meaningful passages about life near the end and I know I will refer back to these passages in Tout Soul is the third book of Karen Wheeler's "Tout" series.
However, the emotions invoked by Karen's writing are powerful, and I highlighted several meaningful passages about life near the end and I know I will refer back to these passages in the future. I totally recommend this series to everyone who enjoys "Chick-Lit". These novels are based on Karen's life experiences, so I don't want to classify completely to that genre.
But, if you have ever wondered what it would be like to change your circumstance and live in a small village in rural France, I would read these novels. Karen's fourth book Sweet Encore is coming out at the beginning of August and I cannot wait! These books make me wish more to travel to France on vacation and tour some parts of rural France. I have to note that Karen has a blog tout sweet. Upon reading her blog I became aware of her philanthropy which is admirable. Karen is a likeable author and I wish her so much success!
Apr 22, Betty C.
I hesitated to move on to this third book in Wheeler's series, as her second one was too dog-oriented and failed to grab me. Yet I was left curious as to what was going to become of the highly endearing yet highly imperfect -- in other words, totally human -- narrator. Tout Soul is by far the most emotional and complex of the series, and knowing it is a memoir left me feeling quite sad at the end.
Despite claims of her finding keys to happiness after a life-changing trauma, I finished the book no I hesitated to move on to this third book in Wheeler's series, as her second one was too dog-oriented and failed to grab me. Despite claims of her finding keys to happiness after a life-changing trauma, I finished the book not totally convinced this will be the case.
Tout Soul: The Pursuit of Happiness in Rural France by Karen Wheeler
But it left me pulling for "Kar-enne," and very much looking forward to the 4th in the series due to come out later this year. As an expat in France myself, what I have enjoyed the most about these books is the author's sharp, honest appraisal of life in rural France.
She does a great job defining the grey areas of French expat, or French country, life. It's far from idyllic, but it's not "A Year in La Merde" either.
Sep 02, Veronika Kaufmann rated it liked it. I totally enjoyed Ms. Wheeler's first book Tout Sweet. The first half of this particular offering I loved more than the second half simply because I could totally relate to the loss and the bouts of struggling to get out of bed and find meaning in one's life. The part dealing with Luis dragged on a bit and I agree with one reviewer here who found Ms. Wheeler's revelations about finding happiness in the small things and giving back somewhat tepid.
Tout Soul: The Pursuit of Happiness in Rural France
Be that as it may, everybody discovers I totally enjoyed Ms. Be that as it may, everybody discovers things at different points in their lives so who am I to sit in judgement when Ms. Are you an author? Help us improve our Author Pages by updating your bibliography and submitting a new or current image and biography. Learn more at Author Central. Popularity Popularity Featured Price: Low to High Price: High to Low Avg. Biographies, Autobiographies French Edition Feb 21, Available for download now. Only 2 left in stock - order soon. Provide feedback about this page. There's a problem loading this menu right now.
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