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Paris in Love: A Memoir [Hardcover]

Eloisa James
3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (152 customer reviews)

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Book Description

April 3, 2012
In 2009, New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James took a leap that many people dream about: she sold her house, took a sabbatical from her job as a Shakespeare professor, and moved her family to Paris. Paris in Love: A Memoir chronicles her joyful year in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
 
With no classes to teach, no committee meetings to attend, no lawn to mow or cars to park, Eloisa revels in the ordinary pleasures of life—discovering corner museums that tourists overlook, chronicling Frenchwomen’s sartorial triumphs, walking from one end of Paris to another. She copes with her Italian husband’s notions of quality time; her two hilarious children, ages eleven and fifteen, as they navigate schools—not to mention puberty—in a foreign language; and her mother-in-law Marina’s raised eyebrow in the kitchen (even as Marina overfeeds Milo, the family dog).
 
Paris in Love invites the reader into the life of a most enchanting family, framed by la ville de l’amour.

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A Look Inside Paris in Love

Eiffel Tower Eloisa and her husband, Alessandro Eloisa's Daughter, Anna Milo, the family's obese chihuahua Paris in the rains


Review

Praise for Paris In Love
 
“While the children struggled then triumphed in school and with new friends, the dog grew fatter, and Alessandro advised his French conversation partner in affairs of the heart, James discovered a ‘materialist’s playground’ in Paris, finding just that precious objet or museum or nibble, and relaying in her sensible, reflective prose the lessons to take home and dream over. . . . [An] effervescent diary.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"What a beautiful and delightful tasting menu of a book: the kids, the plump little dog, the Italian husband. Reading this memoir was like wandering through a Parisian patisserie in a dream. I absolutely loved it."—Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love

"Paris In Love is a witty and delicious memoir,  as  irresistibly charming as Paris itself.  As Eloisa James describes her family's year-long adventure abroad,  her prose shines with her usual romantic flair.  But there is also tenderness,  and wonder,  and the generously imparted wisdom of a woman who takes nothing for granted.  When you read this endearing treasure trove of bons mots,  it's almost as good as being there yourself." —Lisa Kleypas, author of Rainshadow Road

"Mais, Oui! I’m a sucker for travel narratives--I’ve lost count of how many I’ve devoured over the years--Paris In Love is the best I’ve read since Under the Tuscan Sun. James’s gift for language and narrative lets us see what she sees, taste what she tastes (but without the weight gain), and share her funny, touching, always entertaining experiences as she and her family adjust to living in the City of Light. This is a book to be savored, right along with a tart au citron and a glass of pink champagne.  Just pretend your favorite reading chair is at a café table along the rue de Rivoli and enjoy. Marveilleux!"—Susan Elizabeth Phillips, author of Call Me Irresistible

"Eloisa James has written a true romance! By moving to Paris with her cool husband and their two unruly kids for a year, she made her fantasies real—and she's written a book that reads like a dream come true."—Christina Dodd, author of Revenge at Bella Terra

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 272 pages
  • Publisher: Random House (April 3, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 9781400069569
  • ISBN-13: 978-1400069569
  • ASIN: 1400069564
  • Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 0.9 x 8.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (152 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #166,552 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A reviewer from USA Today wrote of Eloisa's very first book that she "found herself devouring the book like a dieter with a Hershey bar"; later People Magazine raved that "romance writing does not get much better than this." Eloisa wrote her first novel after graduating from Harvard, but alas, it was rejected by every possible publisher. After she got an M.Phil. from Oxford, a Ph.D. from Yale, and a job as a Shakespeare professor, she tried again, with much greater success. Currently she teaches Shakespeare in the English Department at Fordham University in New York City. She's also the mother of two children and, in a particularly delicious irony for a romance writer, is married to a genuine Italian knight.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
47 of 49 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful light reading March 22, 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
An Eloisa James book is one of the very few must-buy romances for me, yet I wasn't sure if I would like this nonfiction about her year in Paris. I shouldn't even have hesitated.

The book is a collection of essays (developed from her Facebook postings and tweets) and give a vivid, colorful depiction of daily life in Paris. You can believe that she chose each word very carefully to paint a picture for her readers. And because it's presented as short essays and blurbs, it's easy to pick up and put down. I find it exceptionally good bedtime reading, not because it's boring (it's not), but because it's relaxing. (I'd rather not read about beheadings or shark attacks before trying to sleep, thank you!)

And there are definite laugh-out-loud moments. These are far and away most often caused by James's 11-year-old daughter, Anna, and her arch-nemesis or maybe best friend, Domitilla. (I have to wonder how much of Anna as written is true to the real child and how much is embellished to create the character of Anna, but no matter what, she's absolutely darling.) Other recurring stories include James's mother-in-law's resistance to the idea that her dog, Milo, needs to diet; and the Frenchman learning Italian from James's husband because he's in love with an Italian waitress (shades of Love Actually).

All in all, the only nitpicky thing I have to say about this book is that I don't like the title. "Paris in Love" makes it sound more like a dating couple. Although there's obviously plenty of love and romance between James and her husband, the book is a lot more about familial love, which seems kind of off when described as "in love." But that's a small point.

BOTTOM LINE: Don't hesitate. Buy it; savor it. Just beware of sudden urges to buy elaborate chocolates, gourmet cookware, or delicate French lingerie.
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43 of 47 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Petite observations about life in Paris March 3, 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
After a bout with cancer, romance novelist Eloisa James took a sabbatical from her university job as a Shakespeare scholar and moved to Paris with her family, where she rightfully enjoyed a year of doing nothing much at all. While there she tweeted and posted Facebook updates on the quirks and joys of living in the City of Light, and this book is a collection of those posts. Most are no more than a few sentences long, and her Twitter followers and Facebook friends were probably delighted to read witty, observant updates about food, shopping and her children's adjustments to school, but, for me, loosely connected paragraphs, no matter how well written, are not the kind of material I want when I sit down with a book. There are several essay length pieces that are more satisfying; I especially enjoyed one titled Rose about a cancer patient friend in a Marilyn Monroe wig. The rest of the book, all the well polished, re-purposed posts, would make great reading for times when only a few minutes are available, in a doctor's office or just before sleep for instance.
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars A nice book for francophiles March 5, 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
When reading memoirs, I usually choose a book based on some kind of connection I might have with the author and her or his life. I decided to read this book since I felt like I had two intersections with James: I'm a fellow francophile who has lived in France and I'm also an English professor. Like other reviewers, though, I had no idea that this book would also be about James' decision to do so after being treated for a major health issue.

I was also surprised to see that a large part of _Paris in Love_ was based on James' Facebook accounts. To me, this ended up making the overall narrative feel a bit disjointed and choppy in places, which is the reason for my four-star review. This is largely a matter of personal preference, but I like memoirs to have a stronger sense of cohesiveness and flow to them.

Overall, though, this is a fun read, one that's easy to dip into before bed or on a rainy day. James' glimpses into Parisian life are interesting and fun, and reading this has made me long to return to the City of Light!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars Misleading
I lived in Paris for two years when I was younger, so I know a little something about the City of Light and was so looking forward to reading this story. Read more
Published 8 hours ago by A Reader
3.0 out of 5 stars Somewhat interesting book but pretentious writing
First of the majority of this book is cobbled together from the author's FaceBook posts, so much of it is not so much of a story, but paragraphs of experiences. Read more
Published 6 days ago by Pamela C. Hoerauf
3.0 out of 5 stars What a yawn
If I hadn't been to Paris myself, I wouldn't have got past page 5. Sometimes funny, but mostly disjointed and not very interesting.
Published 7 days ago by Wendy Thatcher
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun, quick read for Francophiles and armchair travelers
Daydreaming about Paris is one of my favorite pastimes. The people, the architecture, the desserts . . . all tantalizing. Intoxicating. Absorbing. Read more
Published 9 days ago by Megan Snider
5.0 out of 5 stars Paris without leaving home
If one has never been to Paris or indeed Europe, well this delightful collection of anecdotes and observations might not be the same as actually being there but it does have the... Read more
Published 12 days ago by Pancakelady
5.0 out of 5 stars Living in Paris through the writer!
This book was a pleasure to read. I was able to visit Paris a year ago and this book enabled me to re-visit. Read more
Published 13 days ago by Avid Reader
2.0 out of 5 stars too shallow
A bunch of posts and musings does not a book make. I figure this just justified whatever advance she received. Read more
Published 18 days ago by SKB
3.0 out of 5 stars A Diverting Disappointment (minor one)
Eloisa James is a highly popular and well reviewed romance novelist. I've read many of her historical romances and loved the ones I've read. Read more
Published 1 month ago by booklover1335 for "Seductive Musings"
5.0 out of 5 stars Or
Memoirs include history, humor, and the ideal guide to spending time in PARIS. Fell in love with the whole family
Published 1 month ago by Linda H. Glasgow
5.0 out of 5 stars A Taste of Paris
Loved every word of this book! Happened to purchase it on line while sick in my hospital bed in the Netherlands. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Suz Roelandt
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