Marc Levy's books are available now, for the first time, in English! Learn about this former Red Cross worker who, in the decade since he began writing, has become most-read French author in the world. To all who dare to follow their dream… may today's interview give you wings!
un entretien (ontr-tee-en)
1) an interview
2) management/service (a car check-up, etc…)
Audio File: Listen to our daughter, Jackie, read the following sentence: Download MP3 or Wav file
Aujourd'hui, lisez mon entretien avec l'écrivain Marc Levy.
Today, read my interview with the writer Marc Levy.
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
Do you find it enormously reassuring to learn that someone's remarkable success happened later in life? Does it fill you with hope to discover that the respected novelist or chessplayer or… started out as a first-aid worker—unaware of a nascent talent within him?
As a lifelong student of writing, nothing motivates me like another's bumpy or unlikely journey to literary success. It makes me believe that it's not too late to pen The Classic and Universal Story… the one that could be enjoyed by all generations till the end of time!
Reading about French author Marc Levy, and how he changed professions several times before happening upon his calling—as a writer, I am encouraged to plumb the depths of my own vocational well. Could it be that in this mad pursuit of writing, chess is really my calling?
One thing's sure, French will open doors either way. So it's a safe bet to continue pursuing language! I think even Mr. Levy would agree. Enjoy his words, below, about France, culture, and writing.
…And, after reading the interview, take time to consider: the dream job you are so passionately pursuing (or currently practicing) may be, after all, but a means to an even more stimulating and meaningful métier–the one your heart is diligently fine-tuning, while you are busy chasing your dream!
:: Entretien avec Marc Levy ::
1. Why did you choose to leave France and make a home for yourself in the States?
Believe it or not, I originally left France to go to England, which makes me a terrible Frenchman. (There is a rivalry between England and France that dates back several centuries.) I had fallen in love with London and the British sense of humor, and I lived quite happily there for ten years. I then moved to the States because I also harbored a deep love for New York City. My son had also decided to study in the U.S., so my longstanding desire to be in New York provided the perfect pretext for me to follow him and play the overprotective parent! But in all seriousness, I was attracted to the multicultural, multiethnic aspect of New York. 163 different communities and ethnic groups shared their lives there—it was as if the whole world had gathered in one place, and that place was New York. It was a city in color that I wanted to be a part of.
2. You have a love for food and cooking. What differences do you see in the American vs. the French approaches to cooking and dining?
The French cook with less of everything: salt, oil, sugar, sauce, etc. It is fascinating to see, in fact, how much flavor you can produce when you do this. But I’ve noticed that many new French restaurants are now adopting the trend of overusing ingredients.
The main difference between restaurants in Paris and New York? The noise. I’ve been in some restaurants where there is more noise in the dining room than food on your plate. A restaurant in Paris that played its music as loudly as New York restaurants do wouldn’t last more than a week. When we invite friends out to dinner, we usually want to talk to them, not yell at them.
3. You have an older son who was raised primarily in France and a young son whom you are raising in New York. What differences do you see in the French and American parenting cultures?
My older son was actually raised primarily in London. It's a bit difficult for me to comment on contemporary French parenting culture, since I've been living outside of France for the past 15 years, but as far as I can tell, there aren't too many differences. As parents, we all love our children with the same heart and want the best for them.
I suppose one subtle difference might be that in France, we focus less on the psychology of the child and more on his or her practical education. For example, when I was at a friend's house, she had told her son he couldn't do something and he responded, "You're hurting my feelings!" Our French friends laughed, as this is not very French—it would not garner a French child much sympathy when being scolded or told no. Perhaps French parents are more old-fashioned, stricter in this way…or at least, mine were with me.
4. Some language learners are fearful of speaking English to a French person, afraid they’ll make an embarrassing mistake. Did you ever humiliate yourself in English? Any examples you are willing to share?
I do this every day. One example that comes to mind is something I once said to a woman in the street. She was trying to light her cigarette, but her lighter wasn’t working, so as a proper French gentleman would, I offered her my own. I asked her, “Do you want my fire?” After she had left, the American friend I was with burst into laughter. When I asked him what was so funny, he explained to me why that had been a ridiculous thing to say. I was absolutely mortified!
5. Humor, or a good joke, is often “lost in translation”, making it even more difficult to adapt as an expat. Did you ever find it difficult to appreciate the sense of humor in your adopted country, or to share your own sense of humor?
Yes and no. Humor is one of the most important things in my life—it’s like a drug to me. I have watched so many comedies and read so many books to try to better understand American and British humor. What I have discovered is that the jokes we make are often very specific to culture, sometimes only understood in the country they are from. For example, a joke about cheerleaders that Americans find hilarious would be confusing to the French, because we don’t have cheerleaders in France.
Living in a new place, you come to understand that it is much more difficult to share your sense of humor, but as implied in my answer to your previous question, sometimes you can make people laugh without knowing why.
6. There are some colorful expressions in French, such as “faire du lèche-vitrines” or “avoir un oursin dans sa poche”. Can you share a favorite French expression?
One of my favorites is “Ce n'est pas tombé dans l'oreille d'un sourd”. The English equivalent is “It hasn’t fallen on deaf ears,” or that the information has been fully understood, but translated quite literally, it would be “It hasn’t fallen into the ear of a deaf man.”
7. Regarding pronunciation, what do you think about accents? (i.e. when speaking English, do you strive to lose your own French accent? Conversely, what do you think when hearing someone struggle to pronounce French?)
I would love to do that—if only I could get rid of the “z” and say “the” one time, as it should be! But in regard to hearing a foreign accent in French, I find it very charming, and never ridiculous. Especially when an American woman speaks French, it’s so sexy.
8. Regarding things getting lost in translation, how do you feel about having your French words—so thoughtfully chosen during the writing process—translated into English, or another language, now that your books are being made available worldwide?
It’s a real concern. The initial English translation of my first book was so bad, it really killed me and almost ruined the story. For a writer, finding a translator who understands your writing is as difficult as an actor finding the voice that will dub over his own. (Dubbed voiceovers for foreign movies and television shows are very common in France.) Translators are constantly underpaid and underappreciated, but their role is so important that they should really get a part of the royalties. They aren’t just translating, but adapting the text, and to do so, they must be good writers.
When I received corrections for the English translation of my second novel before it went to print, I sat down with both versions in front of me, trying to go through and compare every word. In the middle of this, the doorbell rang and the mailman arrived with the Chinese manuscript. I went back to my desk and closed everything. I learned that day that after a certain point, you must trust that the translator likes and understands your work, and wants to accurately reproduce it.
9. It is both fascinating and inspiring to read about your path to writing, and the failures that brought you there. In one interview, we read about some of the words of wisdom you shared with your son. You said, “The biggest mistake you can make in your life is to avoid any mistake by not doing anything.” Could you please translate that into French for us, and so leave us with the courage to pursue our own dreams?
“La plus grande erreur que tu pourrais faire dans ta vie serait d'avoir évité toute erreur en n'ayant rien fait.”
***
Please help me to thank Marc Levy for taking the time to talk to us today. Click here to leave a message and keep the conversation going in the comments box. Which answers, above, interested you the most? I'd love to read your response to Marc Levy's words, here.
A little more about Marc Levy + Win a trip to France!
With 13 novels published over the past 12 years—all of which have been #1 bestsellers in France and many other countries worldwide—Marc has nearly 30-million copies of his books in print in 45 languages.
Before his first novel, If Only It Were True, was published in the U.S., Steven Spielberg acquired the film rights for DreamWorks. The movie, Just like Heaven, starring Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo, was a #1 box office hit. Since this remarkable introduction, US readers have not had easy access to Marc's subsequent work. That is, until now.
International e-book publisher Versilio is now releasing the English translations of Marc Levy's novels through Amazon, iTunes, and Kobo. Lovers of all things French—as well as fans of authors like Jodi Picoult, Sara Gruen, and Anita Shreve—should be thrilled for the introduction to this treasure trove of novels by France's best-known writer.
What's more, Versilio is running "The Marc Levy Paris Getaway Sweepstakes" in the US from Monday, December 1st through Sunday, February 10th, 2013. First prize is a long weekend in Paris for two, including roundtrip airfare and hotel. Other prizes include an iPad loaded with Marc's novels and a full library of Marc's novels in ebook. To be entered to win, participants need to answer 5 questions about Marc Levy's novel All Those Things We Never Said. Winners will be announced on Valentine's Day.
Click here for the Paris Sweepstakes information.
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Thank you so much Marc and Kristen, that was wonderful. I am a native San Franciscan who lived in Paris as a child and who visits there quite often; I only wish all French people found Americans speaking French “sexy”. Doesn’t matter, I adore France (and London; totally understand your great attraction to that city, Marc) and I always start dreaming of my next French trip before my plane ever pulls away from the gate at de Galle.
Cheers!
Thank you so much Marc and Kristen, that was wonderful. I am a native San Franciscan who lived in Paris as a child and who visits there quite often; I only wish all French people found Americans speaking French “sexy”. Doesn’t matter, I adore France (and London; totally understand your great attraction to that city, Marc) and I always start dreaming of my next French trip before my plane ever pulls away from the gate at de Galle.
Cheers!
Thanks for posting your Marc Levi interview. I’ll look for his books. Having just taken a curse on translation, I was interested to hear Marc’s take on it. I continue to enjoy FWAD and am looking forward to my time in Sablet in April.
Dave Wilson
Thanks for posting your Marc Levi interview. I’ll look for his books. Having just taken a curse on translation, I was interested to hear Marc’s take on it. I continue to enjoy FWAD and am looking forward to my time in Sablet in April.
Dave Wilson
Thank you for the lovely cigarette-lighting story. Here’s one of my gaffes — I was rushing away from a cafe to teach a class, leaving my husband behind to pay the bill. (He doesn’t speak French.) So, I said to the serveuse words to this effect, “Je vous confie mon mari. Il va vous payer.” (I entrust my husband to you. He will pay you.)
Thank you for the lovely cigarette-lighting story. Here’s one of my gaffes — I was rushing away from a cafe to teach a class, leaving my husband behind to pay the bill. (He doesn’t speak French.) So, I said to the serveuse words to this effect, “Je vous confie mon mari. Il va vous payer.” (I entrust my husband to you. He will pay you.)
I was so happy to hear a Frenchman say that one must not fear mistakes and simply DO life. So many of my French friends are hesitant about speaking English because they fear mispronouncing words, making grammatical errors, etc. but if they knew MY mistakes in French (ordering four sailors at the beach instead of mattresses, for example!), they would have no fear at all. And I love that he thinks an American speaking French is sexy….I’ll remember that next time I order my sailors….
I was so happy to hear a Frenchman say that one must not fear mistakes and simply DO life. So many of my French friends are hesitant about speaking English because they fear mispronouncing words, making grammatical errors, etc. but if they knew MY mistakes in French (ordering four sailors at the beach instead of mattresses, for example!), they would have no fear at all. And I love that he thinks an American speaking French is sexy….I’ll remember that next time I order my sailors….
Thanks, Kristin & Marc, for a fascinating interview, and encouragement to pursue my dream of becoming a singer in my later years (four score will be visible on the horizon soon !)
Thanks, Kristin & Marc, for a fascinating interview, and encouragement to pursue my dream of becoming a singer in my later years (four score will be visible on the horizon soon !)
Thank you to Marc and Kristin! I am an expat myself (though not a French one), living in the US, and very interested in Mark’s comments on comparison of cultures, languages, and even parenting styles. I look forward to reading Mark’s books.
Thank you to Marc and Kristin! I am an expat myself (though not a French one), living in the US, and very interested in Mark’s comments on comparison of cultures, languages, and even parenting styles. I look forward to reading Mark’s books.
I enjoyed the interview very much.
I read “Et is c’était vrai…” in my French class not long ago and enjoyed it very much as well.
I was born in NYC, live in Yorkshire, but Paris is my favorite city.
I enjoyed the interview very much.
I read “Et is c’était vrai…” in my French class not long ago and enjoyed it very much as well.
I was born in NYC, live in Yorkshire, but Paris is my favorite city.
Thanks, Meredith, and everyone for your comments! I was excited for the chance to interview this author (thanks, Marc, if you are reading!) and so endeared by his thoughtful answers.
Mom, what Bill says is true! XOXO
Thanks, Meredith, and everyone for your comments! I was excited for the chance to interview this author (thanks, Marc, if you are reading!) and so endeared by his thoughtful answers.
Mom, what Bill says is true! XOXO
P.S. Keep the stories of language gaffes coming… And share your dreams, too–it is a delight to read every comment.
P.S. Keep the stories of language gaffes coming… And share your dreams, too–it is a delight to read every comment.
I loved the post today. I can’t wait to order his book. Thank you.
I loved the post today. I can’t wait to order his book. Thank you.
I really enjoyed the Marc Levy interview. I especially liked his answer about enjoying someone’s accent when trying to speak French, because that is the thing I am most self-conscious about when speaking any French word to a native French speaking person! Now I feel very much more encouraged to just go for it!
I really enjoyed the Marc Levy interview. I especially liked his answer about enjoying someone’s accent when trying to speak French, because that is the thing I am most self-conscious about when speaking any French word to a native French speaking person! Now I feel very much more encouraged to just go for it!
Kristin:
I think your last question for him and his response were so meaningful. It is indeed easy to “…avoid any mistake by not doing anything.”
Edie from Savannah
Kristin:
I think your last question for him and his response were so meaningful. It is indeed easy to “…avoid any mistake by not doing anything.”
Edie from Savannah
Thank you, Marc and Kristi, for a glimpse inside the mind of a writer. I would be devastated to see my work mistranslated after working so hard. Marc, you are to be congratulated for your maturity in handling those situations. Enjoyed comments about restaurants and parenting. We have trouble here finding a restaurant quiet enough for lunch as that’s when we want to talk, but it’s not so much the music as the crowds. I enjoyed the French response to children trying to gain sympathy. Looking forward to finding your books and reading them.
Kristi, comme toujours, merci!
Thank you, Marc and Kristi, for a glimpse inside the mind of a writer. I would be devastated to see my work mistranslated after working so hard. Marc, you are to be congratulated for your maturity in handling those situations. Enjoyed comments about restaurants and parenting. We have trouble here finding a restaurant quiet enough for lunch as that’s when we want to talk, but it’s not so much the music as the crowds. I enjoyed the French response to children trying to gain sympathy. Looking forward to finding your books and reading them.
Kristi, comme toujours, merci!
What delightful news to know when we return to the States from France we’ll be able to get Marc Levy’s books in English.
My French remains dreadful, though I use it in a stumbling and humbling manner everyday while in France. Was thrilled to get encouragement for my efforts.
A wonderful interview: bravo Kristin. M. Levy,I eagerly look forward to reading your books.
Ronni
What delightful news to know when we return to the States from France we’ll be able to get Marc Levy’s books in English.
My French remains dreadful, though I use it in a stumbling and humbling manner everyday while in France. Was thrilled to get encouragement for my efforts.
A wonderful interview: bravo Kristin. M. Levy,I eagerly look forward to reading your books.
Ronni
Very interesting interview, and I , like so many others, will be looking for Marc Levy’s works. I enjoyed his comments on US restaurants and children and most of all his comment on American women speaking French and sounding so sexy. I will have renewed courage to speak French, even with mistakes. Thank you, Kristen amd Marc.
Very interesting interview, and I , like so many others, will be looking for Marc Levy’s works. I enjoyed his comments on US restaurants and children and most of all his comment on American women speaking French and sounding so sexy. I will have renewed courage to speak French, even with mistakes. Thank you, Kristen amd Marc.
What a wonderful interview! Thanks for making me laugh and smile on question #4: I asked her, “Do you want my fire?” hahaha that was FANTASTIQUE!!! 🙂
I wish I could have seen the woman’s face when she was asked that question. 🙂
hehehe
I can’t wait to read Marc Levy’s books! Thanks Kristen and Marc!
What a wonderful interview! Thanks for making me laugh and smile on question #4: I asked her, “Do you want my fire?” hahaha that was FANTASTIQUE!!! 🙂
I wish I could have seen the woman’s face when she was asked that question. 🙂
hehehe
I can’t wait to read Marc Levy’s books! Thanks Kristen and Marc!
purchased – will let you know thoughts.
DC
purchased – will let you know thoughts.
DC
I want to read the book, ordering it today, for me, but also for entering the contest. I have not found the questions… !! EEEGAD. Where are they? Help!
I am already enamoured with Mark Levy..What a cutie, as well! Thank you so much, Kristi, for everything you do for us, stuck over here, (LOL). My gaffe: I complimented a little girl’s hair in Chartres. Her mother kindly told me I had told her daughter that she has beautiful horses!
Blessings on you for this website and all it teaches us..with entertainment, as well!
(Speaking of gaffes, I saw in the comments that one fan was taking a translation curse.:)
I want to read the book, ordering it today, for me, but also for entering the contest. I have not found the questions… !! EEEGAD. Where are they? Help!
I am already enamoured with Mark Levy..What a cutie, as well! Thank you so much, Kristi, for everything you do for us, stuck over here, (LOL). My gaffe: I complimented a little girl’s hair in Chartres. Her mother kindly told me I had told her daughter that she has beautiful horses!
Blessings on you for this website and all it teaches us..with entertainment, as well!
(Speaking of gaffes, I saw in the comments that one fan was taking a translation curse.:)
To Tonya in Arkansas:
Funny about “horses-hair”! 🙂
Someone I know, once thanked somebody else for “his worm words”. Of course, his accent was responsible, nothing else! 🙂
To Tonya in Arkansas:
Funny about “horses-hair”! 🙂
Someone I know, once thanked somebody else for “his worm words”. Of course, his accent was responsible, nothing else! 🙂
I read Et si s’était Vrai in French. I loved it – so romantic and mysterious – and it was pretty easy for me, an advanced intermediate level student of French. Highly recommend it if you are looking for practice reading French and a lovely novel. But I know it’s been translated into English as well.
I read Et si s’était Vrai in French. I loved it – so romantic and mysterious – and it was pretty easy for me, an advanced intermediate level student of French. Highly recommend it if you are looking for practice reading French and a lovely novel. But I know it’s been translated into English as well.
I should have said Et si c’etait vrai. Not afraid to make mistakes, I guess. Nice interview, Kristin, and a coup to get it, how did that come about? Will it be published anywhere else? Very interesting and enjoyable to read. Marc Levy is going to become even more successful and famous, I’m sure.
I should have said Et si c’etait vrai. Not afraid to make mistakes, I guess. Nice interview, Kristin, and a coup to get it, how did that come about? Will it be published anywhere else? Very interesting and enjoyable to read. Marc Levy is going to become even more successful and famous, I’m sure.
Great interview Kristin! Love the format! Marc is personable and his answers to your questions make for a pleasureable read.
Great interview Kristin! Love the format! Marc is personable and his answers to your questions make for a pleasureable read.
I loved the interview, Kristin. M. Levy’s anecdote about asking the woman in NYC if she would like to use his “fire,” was particularly striking. Perhaps it is just my own mental process, but that question would not cause me to bat an eyelash. It seems charming, literal, poetic, and perfectly comprehensible to me. I actually have heard that question posed by people for whom English is not their primary language, and thought nothing of it, except perhaps that it was a nice image to contemplate. Perhaps, that is also why my daughters seemed to bring home every foreign exchange student they encountered at school. We understood them and encouraged them to continue to express themselves in word pictures rather than stressing themselves about perfect idiomatic expressions. People who have tried to learn other languages will be sympathetic and helpful, rather than critical. Goodness, it really hasn’t been too long in human history since we literally borrowed fire from others–and an offered lighter does precisely that!
I loved the interview, Kristin. M. Levy’s anecdote about asking the woman in NYC if she would like to use his “fire,” was particularly striking. Perhaps it is just my own mental process, but that question would not cause me to bat an eyelash. It seems charming, literal, poetic, and perfectly comprehensible to me. I actually have heard that question posed by people for whom English is not their primary language, and thought nothing of it, except perhaps that it was a nice image to contemplate. Perhaps, that is also why my daughters seemed to bring home every foreign exchange student they encountered at school. We understood them and encouraged them to continue to express themselves in word pictures rather than stressing themselves about perfect idiomatic expressions. People who have tried to learn other languages will be sympathetic and helpful, rather than critical. Goodness, it really hasn’t been too long in human history since we literally borrowed fire from others–and an offered lighter does precisely that!
ahhh, how this has made me smile and laugh out loud about the ‘lighter incident’. Being Danish, and having been brought up by my mum who taught English, German, French and music + a stepfather who was from Belgium (speaking to him is always a good concoction of Danish, English and French which always makes me laugh, I’ll correct his Danish and English, and he my French – never boring that’s for sure)so lots of comings and going of many intertesting nationalities, and soooo many ‘misunderstandings’ amoung everybody who visited, but soooo much fun and I learnt so much. Having now lived in London for many moons and spending a fair time in la belle Provence, there are still many funny language obstacles happening and for sure many more to come, but being able to communicate with each other no matter what our mother tongue may be, is just wonderful, as we all learn so much on the way. I’ll be reading some more of Marc Levy’s wonderful books 🙂
ahhh, how this has made me smile and laugh out loud about the ‘lighter incident’. Being Danish, and having been brought up by my mum who taught English, German, French and music + a stepfather who was from Belgium (speaking to him is always a good concoction of Danish, English and French which always makes me laugh, I’ll correct his Danish and English, and he my French – never boring that’s for sure)so lots of comings and going of many intertesting nationalities, and soooo many ‘misunderstandings’ amoung everybody who visited, but soooo much fun and I learnt so much. Having now lived in London for many moons and spending a fair time in la belle Provence, there are still many funny language obstacles happening and for sure many more to come, but being able to communicate with each other no matter what our mother tongue may be, is just wonderful, as we all learn so much on the way. I’ll be reading some more of Marc Levy’s wonderful books 🙂
Thank you Kristin for your interview with Marc, which has stimulated my desire to write of my life over the last 11 years, beginning my travels to France from NZ and Australia which I began when I was 72. Now 83 and have so many wonderful stories to tell because it has not only been to France but USA, Holland and Spain and UK during this tine and I have always travelled on my own. My life has been enriched and given me the best years of my life. I also wish to read Marc’s books and have decided to save for a kindle. I have never achieved anymore than basic skills with French , although can read it quite well but I guess my accent is quite amusing, but I have alwqays been able to make myself understood and always give thaks to the French for being so patient with me. I think being”ancient” as I was once told helps.
Au revoir,June,Gold Coast
Thank you Kristin for your interview with Marc, which has stimulated my desire to write of my life over the last 11 years, beginning my travels to France from NZ and Australia which I began when I was 72. Now 83 and have so many wonderful stories to tell because it has not only been to France but USA, Holland and Spain and UK during this tine and I have always travelled on my own. My life has been enriched and given me the best years of my life. I also wish to read Marc’s books and have decided to save for a kindle. I have never achieved anymore than basic skills with French , although can read it quite well but I guess my accent is quite amusing, but I have alwqays been able to make myself understood and always give thaks to the French for being so patient with me. I think being”ancient” as I was once told helps.
Au revoir,June,Gold Coast