Sample
  • Finding Freedom

  • A Cook's Story; Remaking a Life from Scratch
  • By: Erin French
  • Narrated by: Erin French
  • Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (1,318 ratings)

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Finding Freedom  By  cover art

Finding Freedom

By: Erin French
Narrated by: Erin French
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Publisher's summary

"[Erin French's] memoir treats listeners to a smooth ride through an anything-but-smooth life. French's engrossing narration delivers polished consistency, and her gentle tone ushers listeners through her story. She speaks with passion and grace, creating a compelling narrative - with plenty of mouthwatering food descriptions." (AudioFile magazine)

New York Times Best Seller

This program is read by the author.

From Erin French, owner of the critically acclaimed The Lost Kitchen, a TIME world dining destination, a life-affirming memoir about survival, renewal, and finding a community to lift her up.

Long before The Lost Kitchen became a world dining destination with every seating filled the day the reservation book opens each spring, Erin French was a girl roaming barefoot on a 25-acre farm, a teenager falling in love with food while working the line at her dad’s diner and a young woman finding her calling as a professional chef at her tiny restaurant tucked into a 19th century mill. This singular memoir - a classic American story - invites listeners to Erin's corner of her beloved Maine to share the real person behind the “girl from Freedom” fairytale, and the not-so-picture-perfect struggles that have taken every ounce of her strength to overcome, and that make Erin’s life triumphant.

In Finding Freedom, Erin opens up to the challenges, stumbles, and victories that have led her to the exact place she was ever meant to be, telling stories of multiple rock-bottoms, of darkness and anxiety, of survival as a jobless single mother, of pills that promised release but delivered addiction, of a man who seemed to offer salvation but in the end ripped away her very sense of self. And of the beautiful son who was her guiding light as she slowly rebuilt her personal and culinary life around the solace she found in food - as a source of comfort, a sense of place, as a way of bringing goodness into the world. Erin’s experiences with deep loss and abiding hope, told with both honesty and humor, will resonate with women everywhere who are determined to find their voices, create community, grow stronger and discover their best-selves despite seemingly impossible odds. Set against the backdrop of rural Maine and its lushly intense, bountiful seasons, Erin reveals the passion and courage needed to invent oneself anew, and the poignant, timeless connections between food and generosity, renewal and freedom.

A Macmillan Audio production from Celadon Books

“This is a beautiful memoir of resilience, creativity, and amazing cooking. I was totally inspired and you will be too!” (Ina Garten)

"Erin French is a talented chef, a successful entrepreneur, a beautiful young woman, and a passionate promoter of living the 'good life.' This book chronicles the incredible ups, and relatable downs, of building a life and a business." (Martha Stewart)

"Erin is an overcomer and a risk-taker. She’s the kind of person who, when faced with a setback, pushes forward and makes beauty out of hardship. Her story is full of passion and courage, and when you read this book, you will walk away feeling inspired and encouraged in your own life.” (Joanna Gaines, Co-Founder, Magnolia)

©2021 Erin French (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

What listeners say about Finding Freedom

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Haunting, compelling, inspiring and heartfelt!

Erin French reaches through and touches the heart of the reader with her deep and vivid descriptions of both her defining experiences, and the food through which she both receives love and shares it. I feel as though I have sat at her table and taking in the flavors, scents, sounds, beauty and fellowship of other beautiful humans. She writes like she most surely cooks… with love. Some books change you. I am deeply touched.

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Don't read on an empty stomach!!

really great story of life, of struggles, of lessons, of rising up, of endurance, of passions, of love, of victory... highly recommend (and on a lighter note, make sure you aren't hungry when you sit to take this in)...... we may have gained some weight just listening to this audio.

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Wow!

I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book. Erin is the perfect narrator, and her descriptive text made for a wonderful listen for anyone who enjoys food in a deeper context, and stories of a personal journey- you will love this!

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Finding Freedom

I’m writing this review before even finishing the story. It’s been a long time since I’ve had the pleasure to read/listen to something this good. It’s so good I’m honestly going to re listen before I finish. Erin did an amazing job reading that I felt I was in the fields smelling the wild flowers or in her kitchen, smelling the food. Highly recommend!!!

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Painful, but beautiful

Painfully beautiful, but ultimately triumphant story. Great way to learn resilience, gratitude and a lot about Maine too. Totally enjoyed this audio book!

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Just GOOD

Such a beautiful read. I can’t wait to see Erin cooking me a home cooked meal filled with love. ❤️

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I did not want this story to end.

I caught The Lost Kitchen on Amazon while scrolling one night. I had seen an article on Erin in my BonApetit magazine months ago. Loved the docu series from beginning to end. Her story is full of love, bravery, resilience and hope! Sharing her life in Finding Freedom will give anyone the courage to persevere and choose to be a survivor. Erin is such a beautiful writer. I listened to her book on Audible and I was captivated from beginning to end. I was sad to be done. Like really sad. I never give a review. This book……It is a MUST listen. Freedom, Maine and dinner at The Lost Kitchen is now at the top of my bucket list! Thank you, Erin, for sharing with such transparency! You’re a talented chef and writer, and you truly touched my heart.

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Exquisite

This book is touching, heartbreaking, thrilling, and inspiring. Erin opens her heart to the reader in such a vulnerable way, you feel her emotions so deeply it’s as if you are there with her. Her descriptions of dishes she lovingly crafts and serves leave you feeling as if you actually dined with her. What an exquisite work of art she has crafted in telling her story. What a beautiful gift she has shared. I’m so thankful I partook of it.

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Amazing story of courage and recovery

What an amazing story, person, and history. How inspiring it has been continue the good work Chef.

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Inspiring

If you're a fan of The Lost Kitchen or Erin French then you will love this book. It's well written, read by Erin, and truly inspiring.

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