Paris Stories (New York Review Books Classics) (Paperback)

by Mavis Gallant (Author), Michael Ondaatje (Introduction) "NOW THAT they are out of world affairs and back where they started, Peter Frazier's wife says, "Everybody else did well in the international thing..." (more)
Key Phrases: social investigator, ice wagon, Lou Mas, Lydia Cruche, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Mavis Gallant’s finely honed prose captures the small details that illuminate a life." -- Publishers Weekly

"Mavis Gallant’s finely honed prose captures the small details that illuminate a life." --Publishers Weekly

"She stands among the best writers of the century." -- Canadian Forum

"She stands among the best writers of the century." --Canadian Forum --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Review
"Ms. Hellier [owner of the English language Village Voice bookstore on Paris's Left Bank] said if she were to recommend one work of fiction set in Paris, it would be Paris Stories by Mavis Gallant, a collection of short stories by the Canadian-born writer who long wrote for The New Yorker." --The New York Times

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Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: NYRB Classics (October 31, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590170229
• ISBN-13: 978-1590170229
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #56,552 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #1 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > Canadian > Women Writers > Authors, A-Z > Gallant, Mavis
  #5 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > Authors, A-Z > ( O ) > Ondaatje, Michael
  #7 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > Canadian > Asian Canadian

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Varieties of Exile, December 20, 2003

By A Customer

I was delighted to see that Mavis Gallant is back in print. I have loved her work for many years, and always eager to buy the NYer when one of her stories was featured. The only drawback to much of her writing (not present in any of the stories in this collection, though) is that much of what she writes are satirical sketches of French intellectual or expatriate life (for example, the "Grippes and Poche" stories in Paris Stories) which would be totally lost on people who have not visited or lived there. The best of her stories are however profound meditations on loneliness and rootlessness. In this I believe she is an archtypal modern writer who can describe the almost universal experience of being an immigrant, refugee, or escapee from some previous stultifying existence. I think this is why so many people respond to her writing. She is, of course, also a master prose stylist. I urge any aspiring fiction writers to read Mavis Gallant. Contrary to what the above reviewer quoted, I think she can be very instructive and inspiring.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Paris Stories, December 20, 2003

By A Customer

I was delighted to see that Mavis Gallant is back in print. I have loved her work for many years, and always eager to buy the NYer when one of her stories was featured. The only drawback to much of her writing (not present in any of the stories in this collection, though) is that much of what she writes are satirical sketches of French intellectual or expatriate life (for example, the "Grippes and Poche" stories) which would be totally lost on people who have not visited or lived there. The best of her stories are however profound meditations on loneliness and rootlessness. In this I believe she is an archtypal modern writer who can describe the almost universal experience of being an immigrant, refugee, or escapee from some previous stultifying existence. I think this is why so many people respond to her writing. She is, of course, also a master prose stylist. I urge any aspiring fiction writers to read Mavis Gallant. Contrary to what the above reviewer quoted, I think she can be very instructive and inspiring.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfection, July 4, 2008

By	Melissa Niksic (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

"Paris Stories" is an amazing collection of short stories by Mavis Gallant, who is best known for her work in "The New Yorker." The 15 stories in this collection are all set in Europe, and they offer memorable characters, humorous observations, witty commentary, and brilliant prose. Gallant's writing style is very rich, unique, and beautiful. In the afterword of the book, Gallant herself recommends not reading this book entirely in one sitting, and I agree. This is such a fantastic collection that readers are much better off savoring every page. I usually prefer novels to short stories, but "Paris Stories" is amazing and flawless. I highly recommend it!