SPOTTED IN FRANCE
A Dog’s Life On the Road
By Gregory Edmont – The Lyons Press
This week’s pick is a winner in many ways. As a dog lover I was enthralled, as a traveler, eager to learn about new places, it was fascinating. Spotted in France – A Dog’s Life on the Road, by Gregory Edmont is an amusing and poignant memoir that examines the role of fate in our lives and offers an intimate glimpse of six regions and a dozen towns and villages in France – their people, their dogs, their food and their hearts.
Now, imagine this for a moment; a full-grown man and a full grown Dalmatian named JP traveling around the countryside on a two-wheeled motor scooter! Yes, you’ve got the picture. Gregory Edmont is an American writer living in Paris, who adopts JP and finds that almost immediately, his life is charmed. Yes, all dog owners know this, but for Edmont it is a new experience. People smile when he walks by, laugh as he passes on his scooter with the dog seated firmly between his legs. Suddenly, according to Edmont, the City of Light seems more friendly and is now home!
Yes, you are asking yourself, how did he get a full grown Dalmatian to sit on a motor scooter… and is that legal in France? Well, the same question came to mind shortly after the dynamic duo set off to the countryside at the request of Madame Clix, who needed JP’s services to sire a litter with her dog. Not too far from Paris, Edmont and JP were stopped by the police, who asked the same question you did; Is that legal?
Managing to sidestep the issue and escape the pair are off on their great adventure, which included a breakdown or two, a coven of witches who thankfully possess scooter repair skills, dinner in a five-star restaurant, where JP is served on silver platters and a cleaver bearing butcher. Once at their destination, JP and Gregory Edmont both find the meaning of true love, although not as you might have expected.
The book is an easy, light read, filled with line drawings that add to this offerings beauty. If you love animals, travel or light hearted adventure, you will love this book!
It is noteworthy here to mention that Gregory Edmont and JP will be traveling throughout the United States this fall, with stops in 20 cities, including several where our book reviews are seen; New York, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Denver, Palm Springs and San Francisco.
Courtesy of Vespa, the duo will be two-wheeling into major book stores for signings (or in JP’s case “stampings”) and stopping at several dog food stores as well as making some guest appearances on TV and radio. Can a new book, Spotted in America, be too far behind? I can’t wait till they get to my home town! I really have to see JP navigating a Vespa. Enjoy!