Geneva is a city that, apparently, is a typical central European city. Organized, clean, working, surrounded by mountains and with a cool climate. However, the traveler is there, you realize that there is a city like any other. The strange character of its inhabitants can be disconcerting to any foreigner to the point of asking if it is going mad or the insane will be Geneva. This is a book published in a collection of travel books published by Seix Barral. However, there is a common travel book. Little or nothing is told of monuments, streets, famous or catering establishments. It is rather an attempt by the author (who lived in Geneva as a correspondent for a few years) to explain why Geneva is a special city. And it does not spare the time to tell stories or put on a thousand examples of abrupt and surly that can become the Genevan with those who do not understand or know how to live according to their strict standards. Delve
both the nature of the Genevan who dares to try to explain their causes. From geographic to weather, not to mention the historic, the most important.
For Geneva is the perfect city, "City of Calvin" austere and devoted to work effectively. However for overseas is a city full of contradictions: he lives of foreigners but suspicion and distrust of them, are as austere as wealthy as compliant so stingy when it comes to paying taxes.
The book reads well, although some relationships of unknown names (for me, who do not know) are sometimes quite tedious. Many anecdotes are literally written in French, without translation (French I know no more than four words, so I've lost me.) It also falls a little on the generic topic, as if all were equal Geneva (or really are?).
Despite these difficulties, no longer has made me and I found an interesting book and even fun.
My rating: interesting.
