Four Years in France or, Narrative of an English Family's Residence there during that Period; Preceded by some Account of the Conversion of the Author to the Catholic Faith

"Four Years in France" by Henry Digby Beste is a memoir that follows an English family's four-year stay in France during the chaotic years following the French Revolution and the ascent of Napoleon, told from the perspective of a man who converted to Catholicism. The narrative begins with the author's explanation of his transition from Anglicanism to Catholicism, which shapes how he sees the world and influences the book's themes. He talks about his religious upbringing in England and the events that shifted his religious beliefs, next detailing his family's move to France, readying the stage for an examination of cultural differences, his evolving faith, and thinking on the political issues of a nation dramatically changing. The story pulls readers into a detailed mix of personal stories and historical events that play out throughout the memoir.