Pull up a chair and pour yourself a glass of Merlot with comedian Viv Groskop as she takes a light-hearted look at how to bring more joie de vivre into our lives through French literature.

Like many people the world over, Viv Groskop wishes she was a little more French. She studied the language obsessively starting at age 11, and spent every holiday in France, desperate to escape her Englishness and to have some French chic rub off on her.

In this free livestreamed talk, Viv will mix literary history and memoir to explore how the classics of French literature can infuse our lives with joie de vivre and teach us how to say goodbye to sadness.

From the frothy hedonism of Colette and the wit of Cyrano de Bergerac to the intoxicating universe of Marguerite Duras and the heady passions of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Viv presents a love letter to great French writers. Book lovers everywhere should not miss this delectable treat.

This talk takes place at 6:30pm British Summer Time.

About Our Digital Programme:

In response to the global pandemic, How To Academy is curating a not-for-profit programme of live-streamed talks and conversations bringing you advice, insight and entertainment. Tickets are offered on a Pay What You Can basis, including a Free option for those who cannot afford more at this difficult time. Thank you for your help sustaining How To Academy through the crisis — and for enabling us to share new thinking from across the globe at a time when it has never been more important.