The Paris Novel
The Paris Novel ~ Ruth Reichl
When Stella’s mother dies, she leaves her a strange inheritance – money and a command to buy a plane ticket to Paris. Stella and her mother had been estranged, so she ignores the command at first, but eventually she goes. In Paris, she continues to live her drab, frugal life for a while, until she happens upon an upscale consignment store with a vintage Dior gown that screams out to her. The gown sets her off on series of unlikely coincidences, and she discovers more about herself, about her mother, and about the person she wants to be.
This book was full of so many improbable moments, and I didn’t care. I really enjoyed it. The author was editor in chief of Gourmet magazine, and worked as a food/restaurant critic for the New York and Los Angeles Times. Stella knows nothing about food, but in Paris, she learns that she actually enjoys it, that there is pleasure and community in meals. There is a lot of food in this book. She writes wonderfully about food.
There were some pretty graphic scenes of child abuse very early on, but once you get past them it is a good read. I didn’t feel like they were gratuitous, they explained the character’s arc. Recommended.
16 Comments
Kyria @ Travel Spot
Wow, yet another one that I have not yet read! You are now batting 1000 for books I have not read! At first I thought it was the one by Paula McLain, which I really enjoyed, but nope, another new one! Have you read the one by McLain? If so, what did you think?
J
No, I haven’t read that one. I will keep my eyes out for it.
Jenny
I haven’t read this or even heard of it! It sounds good though.
J
Thanks Jenny.
Karen Gow
We read this for book club and while I appreciated the glimpses of Paris (oh I want to go back. so badly!) and the desciptions of food, I just couldn’t get into this with all the improbable scenarios and things tied up in a nice bow.
Most of us agreed on that, I am curious about the author’s memoir vs. this fiction piece, I heard her other books are great. But not this one for me. And the sexual abuse piece I found was not so necessary for the plot, I realize it was a device to explain the background of the narrator, but if it was included I wished they had given it more air time rather than just plop it in there without some followup. It seemed too heavy to be included in this type of piece.
Looking forward to your next review!
J
I loved the glimpses so much, that the improbability of the rest of it didn’t bother me. Interesting that her other books are great, are they fiction? Maybe fiction isn’t her thing. I mean, I liked it because I love Paris and because I met my father as an adult, so that aspect was really nice for me as well.
NGS
One of my IRL book club members is always trying to get us to read Ruth Reichl and we keep turning her down. Maybe I should join her side and persuade others.
J
Well, as Karen said, there are so many coincidences and improbable happenings that it’s kind of ridiculous. But I enjoyed it anyway!
Margaret
I love most books about Paris!
J
That’s the thing! PARIS!
Tobia | craftaliciousme
I’ve not heard of this one but a whole string of improbably coincidents that make you laugh sounds about right right now… I see if the library has the audiobook. I feel this is an audiobook worthy story.
J
I hope you enjoy it, I thought it was fun.
Maya
I wish someone would push *me* to go to Paris, so for vicarious wish-fulfillment reasons I’ll want to read this one too!
J
I know, right? Just pay my way and tell me to have a good time?
Allison McCaskill
I have no issues with improbable events and coincidences. If I wanted to read about real life, I’d read non-fiction. It annoys me when people cite their chief problem with a work of fiction as being “not believable” – I recognize their right to the opinion, but it’s annoying.
J
Well for this book that is definitely needed, because it’s ridiculous how many coincidences there are. It didn’t bother me at all.