The Paris Novel
by Ruth Reichl
Genre: Fiction
Published: April 23, 2024
Page Count: 274 pages
Summary:
"When her estranged mother dies, Stella is left with an unusual inheritance: a one-way plane ticket and a note reading “Go to Paris.” Stella is hardly cut out for adventure; a traumatic childhood has kept her confined to the strict routines of her comfort zone. But when her boss encourages her to take time off, Stella resigns herself to honoring her mother’s last wishes.
Alone in a foreign city, Stella falls into old habits, living cautiously and frugally. Then she stumbles across a vintage store, where she tries on a fabulous Dior dress. The shopkeeper insists that this dress was meant for Stella and for the first time in her life Stella does something impulsive. She buys the dress—and embarks on an adventure.
Her first stop: the iconic brasserie Les Deux Magots, where Stella tastes her first oysters and then meets an octogenarian art collector who decides to take her under his wing. As Jules introduces Stella to a veritable who’s who of the Paris literary, art, and culinary worlds, she begins to understand what it might mean to live a larger life.
As weeks—and many decadent meals—go by, Stella ends up living as a “tumbleweed” at famed bookstore Shakespeare & Company, uncovers a hundred-year-old mystery in a Manet painting, and discovers a passion for food that may be connected to her past. A feast for the senses, this novel is a testament to living deliciously, taking chances, and finding your true home."
"She never called her mother Mom or Mommy or even Mother. From the time Stella was very small, her mother insisted she call her Celia. 'I was not born to be anyone's mother,' she explained."
THE FRIDAY 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice, but Freda is currently taking a break and Anne of Head Full of Books is filling in. To play, open a book and turn to page 56 (or 56% on your e-reader). Find a sentence or two and post them, along with the book title and author. Then link up on Head Full of Books and visit others in the linky.
"...she put the napkin over her head and the tiny creature into her mouth. Then every other thought was driven from her head by the sheer physical effort of the hot bird burning her overstuffed mouth. She tried opening it, to cool her tongue off, but her lips were stretched as far as they could go. Her teeth came down and a spurt of juice shot across her tongue. She almost jumped out of her seat; the flavor was so strong, so primal. She chewed again, and the sound of bones crunching clanged in her ears. She swallowed. Now she found the flavor had changed. It was all hazelnuts, sweet edged with bitter. She swallowed again. Figs. Armagnac, blood shot through her body. Another shatter of bone and she was tasting dark meat---the thigh, perhaps---with its gamey flavor.
All her senses were concentrated in her mouth as her teeth crashed down again and again. She felt the skull crackle and tasted what must be brain. It was hot, it was primitive. It was exciting."
My review:
Stella's mother dies, and Stella is left with a message from her mother: Go to Paris.
So, for the first time in her carefully-controlled life, Stella takes a risk and goes to Paris.
Stella finds her way to a world of books and food and art and life that she never knew way out there, and slowly she heals.
This is a foodie novel like no one other than the great food critic Ruth Reichl could write.
The purpose of THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, and befriend other bloggers. THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP is hosted by Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer.
5th-11th - Can you suggest a book that you think is inspiring and that examines concepts like freedom, liberty, or individual independence? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)
Il est Juillet et il est temps pour le merveilleux Paris in July, hosted by Emma at Words and Peace.
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