Customer Reviews

The Most Beautiful Walk in the World: A Pedestrian in Paris

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

 

 

I've been to Paris a number of times and I love the city. I also like reading Paris books. This is not a book for first timers nor is it a book that will provide you with much practical tour information, if that is what you are seeking. The walking described is not the "begin at Point A and finish at Point B" type.
This book is primarily (but not exclusively)about the Latin Quarter, where the author lives, and concentrates on the more "colorful" side of the Quarter, particularly as pertains to the American expat literary figures who haunted the area.
This is definitely an entertaining read. The author is a long time resident, married to a French woman and apparently fluent in French. He also works part time as a guide. So it is clear that M. Baxter is very much a part of the city he loves. I learned quite a few tidbits about places I've been to and not been to. If you are a lover of Paris, you will enjoy this book.

I've just read several of the other comments and was a little puzzled, did we read the same book? Mr. Baxter
delivered just what the book title and jacket describes: a pedestrian in Paris, a memoir of the author who gave 'literary
walking tours," and his version of 'the most beautiful walk in the world." And indeed it lives up to those descriptions and is very well written, interesting, and often funny.

Yes, it's not a travel book of Paris, but it didn't purport to be one. And yes, I certainly agree that if you put a map in the book, ensure that it is correct. But don't let those things detract from reading a pleasurable and satisfying memoir.

I've visited Paris twice, so I'm not an expert by any means, however Mr. Baxter's 'walks' have given me loads of information for a literary walking tour when I visit again.

Although I agree to some extent with the other reviewers, I enjoyed this book. I have read other John Baxter books and this one is similar to the others - especially "An Immovable Feast." His books give me many "ah-ha" moments - because Baxter is married to a French native as am I. We often spend a month in Paris in a rented apartment and try to experience the City rather than being tourists. This book gave me insights - although I would agree it is not a guide to Paris especially for first time visitors. This is really more of a memoir or a book about "traveling through life." I would put this in the same category as Adam Gopnik's "Paris to the Moon," although I have to admit that I preferred Gopnik's book.

The title of this book is misleading, as it does not describe Paris walks. It consists of short chapters dealing mostly with personal anecdotes from the author's life in Paris and about the literary history of his left bank neighborhood. Additionally, there is a smattering of information about other neighborhoods and Paris life. It is an easy read and mildly entertaining. After reading it you are left with little hard information. If you want something more substantial and useful, look elsewhere.

I loved this book - having just returned from several months in Paris I loved the stories and the behind the scenes glimpse of life as a Parisian.

Great read.... easy to read as well, easy to pick up and put down - perfect to relax with.

I bought this book after reading the copy in our public library. It is a keeper. Reading this book is like conversing with the author. He is humorous and well-informed. The book is both a personal memoir and a guide to Paris. Anyone who is interested in literature and writers will find it interesting. He writes of Hemmingway and company and the French revolution Anyone who loved "Midnight in Paris," anyone who has visited Paris or wants to visit Paris should enjoy it.

If you liked the movie "Midnight in Paris" then you will really enjoy this book. The book itself was a bit different that what was originally expected, but it was a fun and easy read. John Baxter clearly delights in living in the City of Light and welcomes you as his friend to share his views of and experiences in and around Paris. C'est un bon livre.

One joy that can come from reading is the pleasure of listening to someone talk about something they really enjoy or love. Such an experience awaits readers of John Baxter's The Most Beautiful Walk in the World: A Pedestrian in Paris. A longtime resident of Paris, married to a Frenchwoman, Baxter injects personal anecdotes with the settings he describes, and the spirited writing takes readers into Baxter's enthusiasm. Readers who have never been to Paris will be enchanted, and will want to be there. Those who have been in Paris will feel as if one has returned. Those most familiar with Paris may quibble with Baxter, but are likely to feel proud of how the city of light shines on these pages. Readers looking for a travel guide will find more useful books than this one, but few of those capture the city's spirit as well as this one.

Rating: Three-star (Recommended)

Enjoyable account of how the author backed into a second career as a tour guide offering walks around Paris somewhat spontaneously tailored to the participants and sprinkled with interesting anecdotes and suggestions of things to see that are often popular destinations seen from a different angle.

Mildly entertaining, with some amusing anecdotes from the readers experiences and those of historic figures. However, the title would lead one to believe that it is going to describe interesting walks to duplicate while in Paris. This is not the case.