Home Away by Launa Schweizer

     I am currently reading the memoir Home Away by Launa Schweizer. It's an amazing book about a woman, Launa, who moves to the Aups in France for a year with her husband Bill, their seven year old  daughter Abigail, and heir eleven year old daughter Grace in 2010. Launa describes in vivid and humorous detail her family's experience in France. I have known the Schweizer-Leinhards since I was about two years old. I love the experience of reading a book, when you yourself have experienced some of it, know the inside and personal lives of all the characters, and know by heart some of the personal anecdotes described by Launa. 

     I really love how the character Grace is portrayed. Grace has been one of my best friends for my entire life, and I know her extremely well. In the book, Grace is described as fairly distant, quiet, soft-spoken, brilliant, kind, and smart. She likes to keep to herself, often spending time alone in her room by herself for fun. In real life is brilliant, smart, kind and solitary, but she is also loud, funny, outgoing, social, and overall a wild and fun person to be with. I adore the contrast between these two characters- I feel like I'm getting a sneak peek into the characters' lives by knowing them.

     Launa includes many personal anecdotes of her family throughout the story. For example, when grace was younger, she tried to make friends by saying "I have enjoyed thinking about death lately. What are your ideas on that topic?" I know this story very well. I've heard it a million times. It makes me smile every time I read it, knowing that everyone who buys this book will probably also laugh and smile when they read this section, but for a different reason. Yes, it's funny, but I laugh because it's such a typical Grace thing to do. 

    I love this book. I'm very proud of Launa, and of the whole family, too.