I don’t know how many of you are familiar with Goodreads. Basically it’s a social networking site devoted to the joy of reading. People make lists of books they’ve read and books they want to read, review and recommend books to friends and it’s a great way to discover your next favourite book.
Finding Me in France is there and every now and then I click around to see what people have to say about it. In fact, one of my favourite reviews yet was found on Goodreads: “Some good laughs, though the overuse of the word arse gets tiresome.” Who could argue with that one? I laughed my arse off when I read it.
Then there’s this one: “Well written and an enjoyable adventure. While I really enjoyed the style, I was a little disappointed in Bobbi’s anti Canadian attitude. As a tri (sic) blue patriot, I was very disappointed in her lack of Canadian spirit. You know what, if France is so amazing, stay.”
Oh no, dear reader, I beg to differ. Anti-Canadian, my arse (see review number 1). I’m as pro-Canadian as they come. I’d even go so far to say that every single Canadian should buy a copy of my great blook of doodles, that’s how much respect I have for the homeland. Sure just the other day I posted a picture of a naked woman with a maple leaf over her crotch. Ladies and gentlemen, it doesn’t get more patriotic than that now does it?
Anti-Canadian indeed. Who the hell is against Canada? That’s like saying you’re anti-puppy or anti-dessert. Anyway, for what it’s worth, I’ve never been anti-Canada unless you count my support for an independent Newfoundland, but that’s a whole other kettle of fish.
I love my country of origin no matter how unpalatable the Prime Minister or disorganized the health care system may be. I’m always proud to tell people where I’m from, and I do it right quick lest they think I’m American. Oh now, I’m just kidding. The point is I’m not overly keen on anyone thinking I’m down on Canada just because I choose to live somewhere else.
And speaking of elsewhere, while a few (very few) fellow Canadians now own a copy of the book, I’m apparently huge with Moroccan boy bands…
This is my French neighbour Jean-Claude with members of the music group Izourane. How he gets all these people to pose with this book never ceases to amaze me. I need to start paying him.
As you can see, from Manitoba to Morocco, I’m willing to be immersed in any culture that comes my way—French, Moroccan, Swiss, whatever. OK, maybe I am ‘anti’ a lot of things: war, sexism, racism, death penalties, political oppression, skinny jeans, but all that proves is I’m as Canadian as any toque wearing, hockey playing, maple syrup swigging Canuck. Plus, I barbecue in the snow and say please, thank-you and I’m sorry a million times a day, definitive proof of my nationality.
So to that confused reviewer: Thank you so very much for reading and I’m sorry to have to say this, but I think I will stay, if that’s okay with you, eh?
Some people have a pathological need to make negative comments about, well, everything. You, your book, and your blog are not anti-Canadian. Sigh. Some people need more constructive hobbies.
You anti-Canadian? My arse.
People are so hard to please. I got a neg from a blogger about my book about a road trip in France because she was outraged that I’d packed a cashmere sweater. For her, that sweater screwed my credibility as a traveler. REAL people, so the thinking goes, don’t pack cashmere sweaters when they travel. Only twits pack cashmere sweaters.
I have been meaning to ask, as an American: is “arse” a real word? Or is it the polite way of saying “ass”, like “frigging” is the polite version of the f-bomb? I honestly don’t know.
Arse is the Newfie (and British) way of saying ass. It’s an all around useful word to describe everything from anatomy to idiot.
Arse is a wonderfully descriptive word!
As an aside, I said my very first ‘eh’ the other day – it’s only taken me 17 months since moving here to have assimilated that little delight into my vocabulary. HA it was granted a moments silent reverence as we both realised what I’d said …
People are just jealous – take no notice of said people. I too don’t live in the country of my birth and get negative comments at times. Shake them off…phfff
Guess even tiresome xenophobic arses read books.Who knew?
Well done! and what a great picture :)
As an artiste, if you publish your works, expect to get painted with both the positive and negative brushes of public opinion.
Now, that too, is just an opinion, eh.
I’d say people are just jealous too. She should get her arse over to France and expand her vision. Narrow-minded people who can’t see the forest for the (maple) trees!
Ma Chère BOBBI
Les chiens aboient, la caravanne passe ……..
Bon courage et bonne chance au pays de Guillaume TELL.
AMITIES.
MA CHERE BOBBI
les chiens aboient, la caravanne passe ……….
bonne chance a vous deux au pays de Guillaume TELL
AMITIES.
Bobbi The Maple Leaf and the Pink White and Green Flag of Nl., now tell me what can beat that combo ???? Yes girl there are a lot of arses out there, leave some of them alone and they would arse up a nation, Nuff said. keep on making us laugh, you tickle our funny bone every post. Best regards
Bobbi, W.B.H. (World’s Best Husband) just read your blog, and he was pleased to see that you were at your best, witty, insightful, and biting. So liked that you responded with a resounding kick in the arse. (Could not have said it any better myself)
I think a couple of slightly negative reviews amongst the many positive ones just make readers feel reassured that the reviews are genuine.
I’m going to refrain from using the word arse in an attempt to be funny because I obviously can’t do better than what I’ve already read in the post and in the other comments. Too bad I was late to reading this or I could have had first pick of pithy referential responses. @*$&.
If everybody stayed patriotically in their country of birth, who the hell would be living in Canada?
Hey, no kidding.