When I saw author Cliff Burke’s name on the cover of MY NOT-SO-GREAT FRENCH ESCAPE, I hoped for a story just as good as his debut novel, AN OCCASIONALLY HAPPY FAMILY reviewed here in 2021.

It didn’t take me long to find out. I began reading this contemporary novel one evening and couldn’t put it down. The heartwarming and at times heart wrenching tale turned out to be even better than Mr. Burke’s first.

The plot is unique:

Rylan O’Hare always had a best friend until Wilder decided it was time to move onto the cool kids. Wilder’s family is ultra rich, living in a huge house while Rylan and his mom live together in a much smaller home.

But then Wilder invites Rylan on an all-expenses paid trip to France for a summer camp experience at a farm. The opportunity is too good to pass up for Rylan and before leaving on the trip he begins to reconnect with Wilder.

Something else unexpected happens: Rylan’s father who disappeared when Rylan was 3 happens to live in France and he’d like to reconnect with his son.

Rylan is not so sure about seeing his dad but finally makes a decision he thinks is right. Once Rylan arrives at the camp there are goats to milk, a new language to learn, swarms of bees, and pigeon poop. Unfortunately, Wilder ditches him again in favor of the cool French kids. Rylan finds comfort in his own group that includes a German boy named Martin, Annie from Hong Kong, and Swiss born Lia who is the youngest.

There’s much more to the story I won’t ruin with spoilers. What I can share are the two components that endeared me to the plot. I’ve stayed in touch with three students who are now adults. Each of their dads also left before their sons reached school age and never contacted them again. Every moment of Rylan’s path reminded me of time spent actively listening to these three boys who struggled with the same emotions. It takes a village as they say. Thankfully all three are doing well in their lives.

The other connection was with German boy, Martin. He is an exact copy (including his name) of a boy I hosted in an exchange program. They talked and acted the same way. Thanks for bringing back the memories.

If you want an often funny and deeply moving story plan on spending some time with Rylan. One of my favorites so far in 2023.

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FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: MY NOT-SO-GREAT FRENCH ESCAPE by Cliff Burke

1. Rylan’s first person narration is spot on. He’s compassionate, opinionated at times, and the epitome of a almost 13-year-old boy.
2. Pierre is their French host on the farm. He’s a memorable adult character who is an endearing part of the story. He’d make a great dad.
3. The voice mail Rylan sends to his mom.
4. You learn about organic farming. I’ll be trying some of these tips in my own home garden.
5. I have a book to share with all those kids who long to see a new light in their broken parent relationships.

About the Author

Cliff Burke grew up in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio. He worked as a house painter, a parking lot attendant, and a sign-twirling dancing banana before graduating from the College of William and Mary. For the past ten years, he has taught reading and writing in China, Hong Kong, and Texas. Currently, he teaches writing and humanities at a middle school in the San Francisco Bay Area. His first novel, An Occasionally Happy Family, was a 2022 Spirit of Texas Book and was selected for several state reading lists. His latest novel, My Not-So-Great French Escape, will be released in March 2023.

​Cliff is represented by Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.

You can follow Cliff on Instagram or Goodreads, and be sure to visit his author website.

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