“Anyone who has spent her junior year abroad (or not) will love this Balzacian tale of a dark old house in Paris, a powerful old woman, strangely closed-off rooms, and a young American heroine with whom to explore the mysteries of French culture. This book will either take you back or introduce you afresh to the wonders of French life.”

“In Mary Fleming’s absorbing and affecting novel, a young American takes a course in French civilization and learns more than she bargains for – about sex, cooking, and a family’s unhappy past – and is the better for it. So is the reader.”

“Two women live uneasily on separate floors of a decrepit mansion in Paris.
The younger can’t envision any future for herself. The older woman’s wish to live is failing.
Mary Fleming weaves their stories together in Civilisation Française, a haunting novel about the pull of time past and future, and the courage to live fully one’s life and death.”

“Mary Fleming’s latest novel Civilisation Française opens with a once young and beautiful, now elderly and almost blind American widow who lives in a magnificent 18th century hôtel particulier on the Place des Vosges getting some unwelcome news. Her nephew has, without her permission, found her a live-in helper, Lily, a jeune américaine studying at the Sorbonne. It’s the oldest story in the world – the nephew impatient to inherit from the old aunt– but with her deep knowledge of French manners and mores and mischievous sense of humor Fleming turns the classic situation on its head. There were so many things I loved about this book: the fresh way Lily moves forward as she observes Paris and its markets and cafés and French men in contrast to her prickly employer who moves backward with her souvenirs of vanished times, good and bad; the secrets, large and small, that the characters live with and keep from one another; the complexity and the burden of French history that governs all. Plus delightful surprises such as Madame’s totally unexpected reaction and solution to the presence of the squatters who invade the vacant rooms of her building. Skillfully crafted and elegant, Civilisation Francaise is a work of grande classe.”

“Mary Fleming brings a fresh, tragicomic view to the Américaine-in- Paris Novel, exploring the intertwined lives of two expatriates: a rich widow haunted by World War II, and a young woman struggling to overcome a traumatic childhood. Civilisation Française is eloquent, erudite and entertaining.”

““Trevor…makes for an endearingly grumpy guide through a Paris that is by turns mundane and magical. An elegant, character-driven family tale set in mid-’90s.” —Kirkus Reviews ”

““The Art of Regret leaves readers with the feeling that change is possible: challenging, yes, but possible. The reader leaves with the feeling that there doesn’t need to be an art to regret, but rather that we can remember the good and bad times alike. We can take them with us and not let them rule us. We can ease regret through right action and effort towards change. An inspiring yet wholly realistic book…”
—Centered on Books”

““I loved the parts of his introspection as they gave clarity to my life too in some aspects. The last few pages had a shocker which turned the book, and Trevor’s outlook of his life and family....Recommended for lovers of literary fiction.”—Shalini Ayre Blog”

“This novel is beautifully penned...Hats off, two thumbs up...well you get the picture! Don’t miss it! Order it today!
—Molly J. Cover to Cover Café”

“If you ever wanted to live and walk the streets of Paris, not as a tourist, as someone who belongs this is the book for you. The descriptions of the side streets of Paris are vivid and likable characters with relatable problems abound. Check out this book today! — my_book_journey”

“This book had intrigue from the start. I love a complex character who has issues; someone who doesn’t conform or fit in and Trevor McFarquhar is complex…. If you enjoy reading about complex relationships and want to wander the backroads of Paris through the pages of a book, this could be for you.”
—The French Village Diaries”