Four Funerals and a Wedding

Ben Moss and his family move from Norwich, England, to the quaint and idyllic village of Gréolières in south-eastern France. Falling in love with the picturesque tranquillity of the French countryside but unable to find a property that is both suitable and affordable, the family decide to embark upon the mammoth task of building their ideal home from scratch. Dealing with escalating building costs and complications with construction itself, alongside a number of personal setbacks, including the loss of four loved ones, living the dream is not quite what they anticipated. Told with an unusual amount of truth, honesty and wit, Four Funerals and a Wedding is a remarkable story of one family's determination to transform their dream into reality and provide a better life for themselves and their children.

The experience also inspired the author to make some cutting observations on western existence, his dry humour sometimes giving way to heartfelt anguish at what we, in the 'developed' world, have allowed to happen to our species. A Year in Provence this is not. This book is up-front, and sharp-tongued. In turns funny, sentimental, sad and joyous, it is at the same time a celebration and a damnation of the life we all hold dear. Some books you can't put down. This is one of them.

"Hi there, just to say your book is incredible!! I stayed up all night for 2 nights and wore myself out until I had completed it; couldn't put it down. There are so many wonderful pieces - you had me laughing on one page out loud and sobbing on another: amazing, beautiful book. Thank you."

Esther Hayter, Norwich.

"I thought I wanted to be on the Atlantic coast but after seeing the photos and talking to you and reading your absolutely hilariously heart warming unputdownable tales...I now need to be there!! I am now your biggest fan... you write so beautifully – I have been shouting at you for being so stupid, yelled “no... don’t do it!!” umpteen times , and almost “he’s behind you!!” and I’m only quarter way thro!! Tom has just been introduced to everyone and i’m waiting for your next disaster... love it love it xx

Feel I should have had a signed copy tho... Amazon couldn’t run to that!!

Well done you,"

Sally V Ellis,

Kinver

About the Author

Ben Moss was born in Bromley, South London in 1964, but spent most of his adult life in Norwich, East Anglia, until migrating to France in 2003. Having graduated as a design engineer, he worked as an English teacher, after which he founded a contemporary art gallery, of which he was also a curator. Having become disillusioned with day-to-day existence as a member of the working class (i.e. anyone who needs to work to make a living), he demanded more from life and attempted to break free from the prison of normality. He now lives in Gréolières, France, with his wife, four children and a dog.