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Book Review of Vagabonds In France by Michael A. Barry in South County Healthy Living Magazine Summer 2020

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Book Review of Vagabonds In France by Michael A. Barry in South County Healthy Living Magazine Summer 2020

South County Healthy Living Magazine featured Michael A. Barry's book, "Vagabonds in France" in a book review in its Summer 2020 issue:


Book Review: Vagabonds in France

"Come with my wife and me as we lose our home, put everything in storage, sail across the Atlantic, navigate through Europe, dodge pickpockets, climb mountains, and descend into the Paris Metro. Endure nasty weather and illness, witness the flood of the century, and meet some wonderful and not-so-wonderful people. Chuckle with me as we live among the French and try to learn their ways and language. Then make it back home again to an empty house we’d never seen before. – Michael A. Barry"

These words written on the back cover of Vagabonds in France captures the essence of a memorable two-month adventure. Using the pen name Michael A. Barry, Mike Walsh wrote the text and his wife Liesl illustrated the book with 75 photos showing many of their favorite stops. Liesl is a popular local photographer from Venice.


Vagabonds in France is an easy read about their visits to Funchal and Madeira in Portugal, Malaga, Cartagena, and Barcelona in Spain, and Antibes, Nice, St. Paul de Vence, Eze, Arles, Avignon, Paris, Giverny, and Versailles in France.


This is more than a fluffy travel book about charming castles and fine restaurants. Mike’s story notes plenty of tourist attractions, but it also includes dismal weather reports, close encounters with low level scoundrels and the unending search for restrooms (le toilettes). His playful writing style and levity about life on the other side of the pond is refreshing. I found myself giggling every few pages.

The backstory is also interesting. Mike and Liesl were living in Parrish when their landlord called to tell them the house they were renting was being sold. Their immediate stress turned into excitement when the couple realized their unwelcome news was an opportunity to fulfill a dream. So, after stuffing all of their possessions into storage, they boarded a cruise ship headed east. Way east for 3,788 miles to Madeira Island, Portugal plus another 762 miles to Malaga, Spain. Welcome to Europe.

Mike’s regular updates to family and friends became the basis of his book. Liesl took thousands of photos. Her select images featured at the end of each chapter enhance the reading experience. My favorite photo is the cover featuring Mike and Liesl strolling in Montmartre, Paris. You can see the famous dome of Sacre-Coeur in the background. With the magic of Photoshop, Liesl placed separate images of herself and Mike on the cobblestone road.


Vagabonds in France is an enjoyable book even if you don’t plan to drop everything and head for Europe. Then again, maybe you should. – Randy Moore

Vagabonds in France is available on Amazon. See more of Liesl’s photos at LieslWalsh.com.