Not So Petite
There are some writers and storytellers (yes, there is a difference) that masquerade as bloggers.
Petite Anglaise (literal translation: small englishwoman) is one such writer. Why she chooses to blog is a matter of speculation, but we shall address that later on.
Petite Anglaise is an Englishwoman, who from an early age, became enamored with most things French. She can be self effacing, is often self deprecating and despite her her distance from home (an Englishwoman living in France is a great distance from home, atlas maps notwithstanding) and consumption of large quantities of Brie, has maintained classic British dry humor. She shares her life with The Frog and the recently minted Tadpole. Much of her best writing comes from the intersection and confluence of all these realities.
Petite is an insightful writer. Her take on affairs mundane and exasperating, are a peek into a romantic, yet clear mind. Unlike most of us, Petite can see beyond the horizon. She has the uncanny gift of actually understanding what it is she sees- and how to put what she sees in the proper perspective.
As a storyteller, Petite is sans pareil to her devoted readership. With an elegant and artistic way with words, Petite manages to describe her life and demystify that very real French quirkiness (I'm English, I can say that) to the rest of us. She shares her joys and frustrations without reservation, and at times, readily admits to her complete incomprehension of the world around her. In other words, she's just like the rest of us, says so, and that of course, endears her to her readers even further.
Reading Petite is a bit like reading Mark Twain- that great author who intertwined great writing with great storytelling. Like Twain, the writings of Petite must be absorbed and savored. The full appreciation of her writing comes with time and familiarity. Spending time with Petite Anglaise is like catching up with a beloved, favorite cousin- the bond goes beyond the words written. We want to believe we share her experiences- and as family, we really are interested and hang on her every word.
Petite Anglaise sees herself as no more than a passenger on a bus or Vespa, taking it all in at anything but a leisurely pace. She is playing catchup with her life, at times befuddled and at times adamant in her beliefs and perceptions.
She sees her life as unremarkable- and therin lies her appeal, because in truth, she is one of us. She is uncomfortable at times, with being the center of attention and having to be on top of her game at all times. What she does not see or comprehend, is that we read her not just to read, but to be a part of her life, to attach ourselves to her. Like that beloved cousin I was talking about earlier, Petite makes us better, just by being herself. She speaks to us in an intimate, familiar way. She is honest and ever open to new ideas and thoughts.
Perhaps Petite Anglaise blogs because she needs an outlet to express herself, in her native language, to others who share that same liguistic/cultural background. Perhaps she blogs because she wishes to reach out for simply social reasons, to establish relationships she might otherwise not find in Paris. She might even blog because she loves to write- or perhaps, Petite blogs for a combination of all of the above.
There are many fine writers that blog. We like their writing and appreciate the craft and art they have mastered. Petite Anglaise is in that category, of course, but she is more. Like that favorite cousin, we have become attached to her- and not just her writing.
Whatever the reason Petite Anglaise has for blogging, it has benefited her many readers, well.
Petite Anglaise (literal translation: small englishwoman) is one such writer. Why she chooses to blog is a matter of speculation, but we shall address that later on.
Petite Anglaise is an Englishwoman, who from an early age, became enamored with most things French. She can be self effacing, is often self deprecating and despite her her distance from home (an Englishwoman living in France is a great distance from home, atlas maps notwithstanding) and consumption of large quantities of Brie, has maintained classic British dry humor. She shares her life with The Frog and the recently minted Tadpole. Much of her best writing comes from the intersection and confluence of all these realities.
Petite is an insightful writer. Her take on affairs mundane and exasperating, are a peek into a romantic, yet clear mind. Unlike most of us, Petite can see beyond the horizon. She has the uncanny gift of actually understanding what it is she sees- and how to put what she sees in the proper perspective.
As a storyteller, Petite is sans pareil to her devoted readership. With an elegant and artistic way with words, Petite manages to describe her life and demystify that very real French quirkiness (I'm English, I can say that) to the rest of us. She shares her joys and frustrations without reservation, and at times, readily admits to her complete incomprehension of the world around her. In other words, she's just like the rest of us, says so, and that of course, endears her to her readers even further.
Reading Petite is a bit like reading Mark Twain- that great author who intertwined great writing with great storytelling. Like Twain, the writings of Petite must be absorbed and savored. The full appreciation of her writing comes with time and familiarity. Spending time with Petite Anglaise is like catching up with a beloved, favorite cousin- the bond goes beyond the words written. We want to believe we share her experiences- and as family, we really are interested and hang on her every word.
Petite Anglaise sees herself as no more than a passenger on a bus or Vespa, taking it all in at anything but a leisurely pace. She is playing catchup with her life, at times befuddled and at times adamant in her beliefs and perceptions.
She sees her life as unremarkable- and therin lies her appeal, because in truth, she is one of us. She is uncomfortable at times, with being the center of attention and having to be on top of her game at all times. What she does not see or comprehend, is that we read her not just to read, but to be a part of her life, to attach ourselves to her. Like that beloved cousin I was talking about earlier, Petite makes us better, just by being herself. She speaks to us in an intimate, familiar way. She is honest and ever open to new ideas and thoughts.
Perhaps Petite Anglaise blogs because she needs an outlet to express herself, in her native language, to others who share that same liguistic/cultural background. Perhaps she blogs because she wishes to reach out for simply social reasons, to establish relationships she might otherwise not find in Paris. She might even blog because she loves to write- or perhaps, Petite blogs for a combination of all of the above.
There are many fine writers that blog. We like their writing and appreciate the craft and art they have mastered. Petite Anglaise is in that category, of course, but she is more. Like that favorite cousin, we have become attached to her- and not just her writing.
Whatever the reason Petite Anglaise has for blogging, it has benefited her many readers, well.
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