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Original poster

Books set in Paris

43 replies

BestIsWest · 07/02/2013 21:32

Just finished Les Miserables and going there in April. Can anyone recommend any other books set in or about Paris?

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LineRunner · 07/02/2013 21:37

Do not read the Da Vinci Code. That is my top tip.

Have a fantastic time.

ControlGeek · 07/02/2013 21:38

One of the Dexter books starts off with a honeymoon in Paris, though Les Mis it's not!

Original poster
BestIsWest · 07/02/2013 21:52

Oh yes. Unfortunately I have read the Da Vinci Code. And mercifully forgotten most of it!

I'm not necessarily looking for anything heavy going! I've not read the Dexter books are they any good?

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MiddleAgeMiddleEngland · 07/02/2013 22:00

Not a novel, but The Piano Shop on the Left Bank is a lovely read, but probably not if you have no interest in pianos.

It's not heavy going, not much happens but it's gentle and atmospheric.

Quote on the back cover of my copy says "a thoughtful exploration of the twin delights of the piano and Parisian life" (am I allowed to quote? - apologies if not)

It's marked to be shelved under autobiography/music/travel if that helps.

BunnyLebowski · 07/02/2013 22:03

Therese Raquin - Emile Zola. In my top 10 books of all time.

Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell is brilliant.

PimpMyHippo · 07/02/2013 22:09

Sacre Bleu: A Comedie d'Art by Christopher Moore. I lent it out to someone actually, I should chase them up for it...

Portofino · 07/02/2013 22:14

Don't Tell Alfred - Nancy Mitford.

izzybobsmum · 07/02/2013 22:17

Again not fiction, but Julia Child's "My Life In France" is wonderful.

Original poster
BestIsWest · 07/02/2013 22:22

I didn't realise there was a sequel to Love in a Cold Climate! Fantastic! I've ordered that and the George Orwell from my library for starters ( the bliss of an online ordering system for libraries - like Amazon but free).
I will take a look at the others too.

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KikkiK · 07/02/2013 22:26

If you like historical fiction, try The Paris Wife by Paula McLain. It's a novel, but tells the story of Hadley Hemingway, Ernest Hemingway's first wife. I loved it.

ControlGeek · 07/02/2013 22:46

Bestiswest, the Dexter books are good if you like humorous writing and dark subtext (which I do) but if you've seen the series then it's been pretty true to the books in its style so you'll probably enjoy them.

If you haven't seen the series, it's about a blood spatter technician working for the miami police who has a penchant for bumping off bad guys that the legal system can't put away.

stubbornstains · 07/02/2013 22:58

A Moveable Feast- Ernest Hemingway

Good Morning Midnight- Jean Rhys- good, but rather miserable.

Most of Colette's books...erm...struggling for titles..I think "Claudine Married" and her autobiography have the most Parisian bits...oh, and The Innocent Libertine. Her autobiography/biographies are fab though, what a life- and then you can go and visit her grave in Pere Lachaise.

Also Tropic of Cancer- Henry Miller, although I can't recommend this- literature schmiterature, all he does is bloody moan.

Ooh, can I recommend a film? Before Sunset.... I can't watch it again, I'd want to go to Paris tomorrow!

So glad your memory has erased most traces of the Da Vinci Code...

highlandcoo · 08/02/2013 10:27

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery .. the private life of a concierge in a block of grand Parisian apartments. Really good.

nevergoogle · 08/02/2013 10:33

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain (really good read)
Suite francaise by Irene Nemirovsky (I haven't read it but it's meant to be good)

BobbiFleckmann · 08/02/2013 10:35

the Orwell and Mitford are BRILILANT.
Try also Somerset Maugham - Razor's Edge - part of it is in 20s / 30s Paris
The Dud Avocado
which is the Hemingway where he talks about his life in Paris and going to write at Les Deux Magots / sharpening his pencils etc? Made me go to Les Deux M a lot when I lived there...

carlajean · 08/02/2013 17:25

I'd also recommend Orwell. I don't like Colette's Claudine novels, but do get a collection of her short stories (which are wonderful), many of them are set in the city.The Rainy Moon is one of my favourites, and includes wonderful descriptions of Paris.
Also read Colette's autobiographical books. She had an amazing life, including time as a mime artist in the music halls of Paris. Music Hall Sidelights and The Pure and Impure are fascinating descriptions of this time.

goldmum · 08/02/2013 20:05

Loved the Collete's Claudine books when I read them (it was over 20 years ago!) Just on the last chapter of Rebecca Stott's The Coral Thief and it is brilliant. Set in Paris, just as Napolean is exiled on St Helena - totally compelling.

Original poster
BestIsWest · 08/02/2013 20:17

These all sound fantastic. Will keep me going until April at least. We are staying just off the Boulevard St Germain not far from Les Deux Magots.

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Original poster
BestIsWest · 08/02/2013 20:18

I meant to say thank you all so much Thanks.

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stubbornstains · 08/02/2013 20:18

Ooee OP! Tres posh....

Original poster
BestIsWest · 08/02/2013 20:22

With the teenage DCs in the same room.

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stubbornstains · 08/02/2013 20:22

God, I nearly forgot OP- if you're a book fanatic in Paris you MUST go to Shakespeare & Co. It's on the Left Bank quais, right opposite Notre Dame (Rue de la Bucherie). Crammed with English and French wonderful books...

(The opening scenes of Before Sunset are set there Smile)

(I stayed there when I was 16 Grin)

MrsRebeccaDanvers · 08/02/2013 20:23

Therese Raquin by Emile Zola

stubbornstains · 08/02/2013 20:25

x-posted!

Well there's your answer.....send 'em off to Shakespeare & Co maybe they'll lose their virginity like I did

(sorry, Friday night wine....)

Helpyourself · 08/02/2013 20:30

Another vote for Zola. Especially L'Assomoir. I've not yet read Les Misérables, but it's similar in subject matter, less romantic and grittier.