Salaam, Paris [Mass Market Paperback]

Kavita Daswani (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 27, 2006

Tanaya Shah longs for the wonderful world of Paris, the world that she fell in love with while watching Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina—so when a proposal comes along for an arranged marriage with a man who is living in Paris, Tanaya seizes the chance. But once she lands in the city, she shuns the match. A stroke of luck turns Tanaya into a supermodel, and soon the traditional girl is cavorting with rock stars and is disowned by her family.

In her new whirlwind life, she is reintroduced to the man she was supposed to marry, the man she now realizes she should have never walked away from, the man who is her only connection to the family she longs to reconcile with, if only it’s not too late.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

A new novel takes a look at young women trying to navigate the world of modeling and balance hot careers with the other priorities in their lives. Beautiful Tanaya Shah leaves her home outside of Mumbai, India, to meet Tariq, the man her grandfather wants her to marry, in Paris. Although Tanaya has always longed to visit Paris, she is reluctant to marry and the engagement is broken off. Rather than return home, Tanaya decides to stay in Paris against her family's wishes. A one-time waitressing job at a fashion show leads to a chance turn on a runway when one of the models gets hurt, and it isn't long before a talent scout convinces Tanaya to give modeling a go. After a rocky start, Tanaya finds herself in the epicenter of the fashion world, New York, her star in swift ascent. But doubts about her newfound career and all it entails, as well as a desire to stay true to her Muslin heritage and reconcile with her family, nag at her. An engaging and sweet tale. Kristine Huntley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

The perfect blend of real-life drama and fairy-tale whimsy. —Jennifer Weiner, author of Good in Bed

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Plume (June 27, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452287464
• ISBN-13: 978-0452287464
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.6 x 7.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,367,321 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars One-woman show, January 22, 2007

By 

Elaine McCarthy "ECM" (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Salaam, Paris (Mass Market Paperback)

Though the book is readable, it's ultimately unsatisfying. The only remotely rounded character is the narrator; other players merely move the plot along with their single characteristics. The end is completely unconvincing. It's culture-clash lite.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars "Salaam Paris" is a below average read, September 24, 2009

By 

S. Prakash "Sri" (Maple, Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Salaam, Paris (Mass Market Paperback)

Very average piece of fiction that comes at a time when lot of Islam is under the magnifying glass. Standard fare - Star struck Muslim girl from an orthodox family in India makes it to Paris and decides not to go back home (oh yes overstaying her visa illegally)- rises to modeling stardom within a few weeks !!!! The reason - Paris is smitten by the curiosity factor!!! Thrown into the mix is the "arranged marriage" variable - another seemingly amazing and curious concept in today's world (?!). No guesses needed on how that ends up. I got bored half-way and proceeded to complete the rest of the book on an evening when I had nothing better to do (which is very rare - so unfortunately I now can say I have read the book). Get it at your local library and save your self a few bucks if you still think you should read it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Salaam, Paris, December 22, 2008

By 

P. Johnston (San Diego) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Salaam, Paris (Paperback)

I really like Indian Food and I love Paris. I know this isn't exactly how you're supposed to choose a book but I went out on a limb here. Salaam, Paris hooked me with the first line of the first page. Anyone intersted in cross-cultural stories, the lives of women and their likes and dislikes as well as societies prejudices, both internal and external will like this book. Don't be put off, some of the characters come across as very "Bollywood", but I'm all about the Bollywood. Ok, I admit it, it's my dirty little secret. Pick this book up, make a pot of tea, get comfortable and enjoy this delightful story. Salaam, Paris
I want to recommend three other reads, all just as good, ranging from the Mughal Empire to present day. Imaginery Men Imaginary Men], The Twentieth Wife [[ASIN:0743428188 The Twentieth Wife: A Novel and Serving Crazy with Curry Serving Crazy with Curry,every one of them will give you a glimpse of a fascinating India and it's people, mores and morays. Enjoy