{"product_id":"the-foreign-student-9780345346964","title":"The Foreign Student","description":"\u003cb\u003eA #1 bestseller in France, this is a nostalgic portrait of a French scholarship student's discovery of America during the academic year of 1954-1955.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ci\u003eI wanted to fit in. I wanted to be American, like any ordinary student, because I figured that was my only chance to survive the immense loneliness looming ahead of me. I was elated to be there, in that remote Virginia alley, on that college campus. I was elated because back there, far away in France, my brothers would never experience this. And the school friends I left behind--they too were missing out on this tremendous adventure.\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Soon the young freshman becomes seduced by American culture and the popular icons of the mid-fifties: Jack Kerouac, Elvis Presley, James Dean, Fats Domino . . . a green Buick convertible, drive-in movies, and pretty Grace Kelly lookalikes in tight cardigans. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for \u003ci\u003eThe Foreign Student\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"One of those books that is beyond criticism . . . a vivid portrait of life, American style.\"\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eL'Express\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"A love affair with America . . . told with precision, clarity, and warmth.\"\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eFrance-Soir\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"A \u003ci\u003eSentimental Education\u003c\/i\u003e of the American South.\"\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eLu\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"A grand risk, successfully realized . . . F. Scott Fitzgerald, French style. A splendid novel about a fragile, fugitive era.\"\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eMagazine Litteraire\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"The freshness of a first novel combined with nuanced reporting.\"\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eLe Monde\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Ballantine Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50491687665938,"sku":"9780345346964","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_15e2ca4f-b9c7-43a9-a5b3-ecd77dff5876.jpg?v=1730549550","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-foreign-student-9780345346964","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}