The Valley of Heaven and Hell: Cycling in the Shadow of Marie Antoinette

Susie Kelly author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Blackbird Digital Books

Published:16th Mar '15

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

The Valley of Heaven and Hell: Cycling in the Shadow of Marie Antoinette cover

Susie Kelly has written five bestselling books about living and travelling in France. Her first two titles, both published by Transworld, sold over 50,000 paperback copies in the UK alone. In 2011, with The Valley of Heaven and Hell - Cycling in the Shadow of Marie Antoinette, Susie switched to digital publisher Blackbird Digital Books, and her international following has been growing steadily ever since. In 2015 Blackbird Digital Books moved from digital-only into paperback publishing and is bringing out all 5 of her previous, digital-only travel titles as it releases her newest (April 2015): The Lazy Cook: Quick And Easy Meatless Meals 1: Savoury, the first of two new cookery books full of budget recipes sprinkled with anecdote and humour, which will delight her ever-growing number of fans.

A quirky, hilarious and endearing mix of personal travel and a cycling adventure through the most turbulent and dramatic period of French history following Marie Antoinette's failed escape from the guillotine. Travel with Susie as she wobbles on her bike through Paris and Versailles, the battlefields of World War 1, the Champagne region and more.Susie has already walked across France 900km solo from La Rochelle to Geneva (Best Foot Forward) and driven the entire circumference of France (Travels With Tinkerbelle), but cyclist she is not. By suggesting an electric bicycle to get her through the worst of the uphill slogs, her husband persuades her that a cycling holiday travelling on 2 wheels is by far the best way to see the virtually undocumented part of France they plan to explore. And so their cycling holiday begins, and, with not a few mishaps and misgivings, it turns out. In 3 weeks Susie and Terry cycle 500 miles in the little-explored Champagne region of northern France, dining sometimes in luxury and often on weird makeshift meals in their tent. After a hair-raising journey through Paris that nearly ends in her own execution by traffic, Susie finds an area of calm waterways and tranquil countryside bursting with history. Idyllic territory for cyclists. Her route takes her from Versailles to the vineyards and champagne cellars of Epernay and Reims then through the Marne valley, the scene of unimaginable horror and devastation during World War 1. Along the way there are traumas, epiphanies, occasional matrimonial disagreements and the odd glass of champagne. Keeping up appearances amongst the petite, chic French at some of Susie's more luxurious stops creates some serious fashion moments, tempered, as always, by Susie's good humor and resilience.

"There are a handful of authors who achieve that elusive trick of making you laugh out loud. For me it's James Herriot, Bill Bryson and Susie Kelly." French Entree Magazine; "This book manages to combine history, humor and the best of travel writing all in one." US reader; "This was a trip I enjoyed taking through Susie Kelly's eyes, both for what I learned about the area of France she traveled, and the history involved. My backside and the muscles in my legs were much happier doing it this way, too." Big Al's Books & Pals; "A wonderful combination of travel memoir, funny anecdotes with the added bonus of weaving throughout an easily digestible history lesson." UK reader; "This is a book I could read again and again." US reader; "As someone who enjoys reading about travel on foot or bicycle I can say its as good as any I've read and is a massively entertaining and satisfying read." US reader; "When it's funny it's laugh-out-loud funny, and when it's sad it is heart-breaking." UK reader; "This book manages to combine history, humor & the best of travel writing all in one." US reader; "Travel humor that makes you cry as well. Quite something!" US reader; "Susie rides again! Susie has done it again. This is a thoroughly entertaining read combining self deprecating honest comments with lesser known historical tales and anecdotes." UK reader; Just loved it! In the first chapter I thought the pace was so entertaining and interesting that it would not be possible for the book to keep it up...but it does. Fun and full of detail. US reader

ISBN: 9780993092299

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

214 pages