Customer Reviews

Au Paris

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Rachel Spencer's Au Paris is a fascinating study on one woman's adventures as an au pair in Paris. Rachel Spencer often has a unique voice, a journalism major from Texas, Spencer certainly has a distinct way of storytelling. Her memoir is sometimes witty though sometimes self important, if not honest. I spent 3 weeks in France as a part of a study abroad program and her insightful observations of French Culture that can come only with true immersion are poignant. Spencer has created great literature with Au Paris. If you have a little extra time this chic, chick read will reveal a world of language mishaps, unfortunate encounters hilarious disasters and tons of heart. I especially recommend this book to anyone who has already traveled to France, or knows the language or to anyone who is about to depart to the world of chic elegant. Bon Travail, Spencer!

Was this book ever published in hard-bound? I doubt it. It appears to be capitalizing on the current fad for nanny stories and the always fascinating Paris. But really, there is nothing new here; nothing even vaguely amusing.

Aspiring journalist Rachel Spencer wrote a blog about her experiences as an au pair in Paris. The stories were later compiled into this book. I'm a sucker for stories about ex-pats in Paris but was sorely disappointed by this one. The writing style is very unsophisticated, in my opinion, and there's little to no character development.

Rachel is in her early twenties, working in ad sales at the Houston Chronicle. She decides she hates it and applies to graduate school, but takes the summer off to go work as an au pair in Paris and have a big cultural adventure before classes start. Rachel's whole gimmick is that her period in Paris teaches her about herself and brings her back to the USA a more confident and secure person. However, you really don't see that change in her on the page. There's just not enough depth to her personality.

Also, lacking in this book is a true connection to the children Rachel nannies and the city in which she is living. Rachel fails to meaningfully explain how they impact her, change her opinions, open her eyes, etc. The observations are very general. The one moment in which the story threatens to go a little deeper and expose some true emotion (the oldest daughter in the Parisian family rebels and Rachel is left in the uncomfortable position of challenging & reporting her behavior) is not fully fleshed out.

Not the typical novel with a beginning, middle & end but an enjoyable read none-the-less if you are in love with Paris. It's basically the diary of woman in transition and her ups and downs as she makes a move to Paris. Entertaining and a must read if you think that maybe, sometime you'd like to live a Paris for a while. Pitfalls and culture shock abound which is what makes this book so interesting.

Couldn't get past page 33! This is why American's have such a bad rap with the French. Rachel Spencer is the perfect example: irresponsible, egocentric, and oblivious to her own shortcomings. This could have been written by a high school student. I am surprised to find out that she is a journalist for any newspaper, even though it is the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. The morsels of French culture are what I was seeking but couldn't bear to read through the merde to find them. Please don't waste your time or money.

After three years working in the Houston Chronicle's Ad sales Department, Rachel Spencer knew she needed a change as this was no what she planned on so she accepted a job as an au Pair in AU PARIS. Her sister Sarah had arranged for her to serve as nanny to the affluent Vladesco famille. This book is her memoir of almost a year in France of an American employed by a French family. The entries are often humorous from the first pratfall as Ms. Spencer adapts to the reality of being a servant caring for a young teen and two preadolescent children and not a member of the family. The descriptions of Paris are top rate, her realization of chic is out and practical is in. This will remind many readers of similar incidents (don't do an audit of a helicopter repair mission in a light brown suit), and her troubles keeping her fourteen year old charge Rachel away from males is complex and difficult as the nanny just wants to be an older buddy to the fille. Though some of the reactions seem naive (perhaps because this reviewer has too many decades of work), and the ethics of a memoir that, though exposing nothing scandalous does expose an employee's family, seems questionable; this is an interesting look at An American in Paris working as a nanny to a French family.

Harriet Klausner

Au Paris is the sort of book you either curl up with and happily read from start to finish or throw across the room in utter, teeth-clenching frustration. At the risk of sounding cliche, you either love it or you hate it.

Here's why:

The author, Rachel Spencer, is young, hopeful, a tad self-absorbed, honest, chatty, and a little silly. I suspect, she is the sort of person you either love or hate. I also suspect, she is the sort of person I would love. . .

. . .which is why I enjoyed Au Paris. I bought it before stepping onto a flight from Anchorage to Honolulu recently. I read the entire book from take off to landing (with a little time left over to nap).

I found the author's unflinching honesty about her short comings refreshing. Who among us hasn't felt disappointment in life and a desire to build a new life more in line with our ultimate goals?

On the surface, this book may appear to be a silly, vapid retelling of one young woman's misadventures in the City of Light, but one doesn't have to scratch too deep before they realize that Au Paris is a charming book about the pursuit of happiness and fulfillment (whether it be in Paris or Arkansas!)

I recommend this book to anyone who loves France, anyone who has left home in pursuit of their dreams, their future, their heart. . .

As a lover of all things French, this book gave life to all of the things that I love about Paris and the French people. Spencer gives an articulate view of Paris and shares her own vulnerable and honest perspective of her interactions with the city and people. Through out the book I laughed and cried through Rachel's experiences. Au Paris makes me realize how much I long to return to Paris and learn more about their amazing culture.

I thought this would be a cute chick lit read.

It starts off okay, but I soon tired of the main character and her "oh so witty" silly, silly things.

I am sorry, but I just could not buy how silly this book is. Who goes to Paris without any money, or for that matter a clue? Yet, miracles of miracles, everything just seems to always fit perfectly into place.

Nah, boring and silly. PASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This light read was perfect for a weekend get away without ever having to leave my apartment! Ms. Spencer's tale of discovering Paris, along with herself, is sheer delight. Her descriptive style of writing takes you on a journey and allows you to escape your day to day routine. I especially enjoyed seeing the transformation of her not having to have a plan for everything but rather to let life lead you...it's a lesson we can all take to heart.