The product of his parents' ferociously antagonistic genes, François Théodore Thistlethwaite is a traumatized, split-identity Frenglishman. Any one of his three alter egos - François, the Marxist Frenchman, his ultra-conservative English sibling, Thistlethwaite, or Théodore, their philosophical, middle voice of reason - can seize possession of the whole to expound their views on some of those différences which cause the only similarity between French and English to be the colours of their flag. Illustrated by many hilarious anecdotes based on the author's own experiences and observations during his 40 years of survival among the French, François Théodore Thistlethwaite's FRENGLISH THOUGHTS contains a host of humorous, insightful reflections on such diverse subjects as French and English women, queuing, the Puritan factor, driving in France, sporting fair play and many more - some of which are controversial enough to rock the very foundations of the Entente Cordiale.
About the Author: Barry first saw light of day in Hampshire (the old one, not the new), but proudly claims to be of Northern English stock. The beginnings of his life-long love affair with France can be traced back to the tender age of eleven when he began learning the language at school, and eight years later the flame was strong enough for him to go on to read French language and literature at Reading University where he graduated in 1967. After obtaining a teaching diploma at the same university, Barry then worked as a French schoolmaster before successfully applying to go on a year's teacher exchange to France during which he taught English in a lycée. And he never came back! Setting up his own English language teaching, translation and interpreting business, the next 40 years gave him the opportunity to observe and experience many of those things which cause two peoples, geographically separated by just a narrow stretch of shallow brine to be mentally vast oceans apart. Unlike the split personage he has created, however, Barry only occasionally hears voices, and lives a relatively sane life of peaceful, retired meditation with his French companion, Renée, in the Jura region of France. Hobbies, interests and pastimes are nothing more disquieting than golf, gardening, foreign travel, the nineteenth century English novel, French cooking, a glass or two of good wine ... and, of course, creative writing.