The Shoe Queen [Paperback]

Anna Davis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 19, 2007

In The Shoe Queen, author Anna Davis immerses readers in the glitter and excitement of 1920's Paris -- where one woman's obsession with shoes leads her into a steamy affair that will make her question what matters most in life.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

British author Davis's first stateside release channels the literary wilds of 1925 Paris, where aspiring poet Genevieve Shelby King moves her new husband, Robert from Boston. Out clubbing with bon vivant friend Lulu, Genevieve, who is less than virtuous, spies the perfect pair of shoes on a rival's feet. Nothing will do but that Paolo Zachari, maker of the "world's most expensive shoes," take Genevieve's order. Businessman husband Robert is still smitten, but there's something mysterious about Genevieve's past that he's determined to uncover. In a wonderfully realistic denouement to this complexly plotted story, Genevieve resolves her marital ambivalence and comes to a touching conclusion about her literary aspirations.
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Review

"An enthralling tale."

-- InStyle

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Product Details

• Paperback: 399 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books; Original edition (June 19, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141653735X
• ISBN-13: 978-1416537359
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,606,147 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I AM A SHOE QUEEN, June 10, 2007

By 

Tiyafabulous "SuperSag1983" (Atlanta,GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shoe Queen (Paperback)

It almost felt like I was there....some parts took a while to build, but overall I was entranced by the Bohemian theme of Paris. More than just a story about shoes, the Shoe Queen focuses on the Bohemian principles of Truth, Beauty, Faith, and Love. This is truly a story about a woman who is seraching for her meaning of existence and tells her stroy through her shoes. Must read for summer!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I hate Genevieve!, August 29, 2007

By 

Elizabeth Bennet - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shoe Queen (Paperback)

The idea for this book was great (although a little too Great Gatsby-esque at times), and I loved the detailed descriptions of the many beautiful pairs of shoes, being a shoe queen myself. And although this is not exactly "high art," the writing was decent and the story enjoyable.
However, by the end of the book, I developed a raging hatred for Genevieve. She is so silly and selfish, and she cares nothing for the feelings of others. She blames all of her misfortunes on everyone else, and I found it very dissatisfying that she never had to take responsibility for or suffer any consequences of her actions.
In the end, though she'd treated her husband abominably, she just ran off & lived happily ever after. Not the way it happens in real life, people.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The type of book I hate to hate, July 2, 2008

By 

Lehcarjt (N. CA, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shoe Queen (Paperback)

The Shoe Queen is a beautifully written book set in 1920's Paris. The author is a master of word craft. Oddly enough, what I liked most about the book was the structure. I don't usually even notice structure, but it was so well done (mixing the present/past/pov's) that I often couldn't wait to find out where/who/when I would be next. (The chapter that ended with Robert opening the hotel room door and the chapter that started with what he found was absolutely and completely brilliant. I laughed out loud. And it wasn't because of the story. It was how the author wrote it.)

The story is of a young, married girl who is trying to escape the physical and emotional control of her life and find meaning. I really, really wanted to love the story. I couldn't.

There wasn't a single character in the entire book that I liked. I kept hoping that the author would give me something, anything to make Genevieve likable. But even as I came to understand her history and the reasons for her behavior, all I felt was anger. How could anyone be that completely self-centered? I get that that was the point of the book. I just feel like I need to have some relationship or some stakes in the characters so that I care that they change and learn (little as it was).

At the end of the day, I'm not sure I'd really recommend this book. I spent the whole time hoping for something that wasn't there. And while I felt the ending fit the book, I was left disappointed because I just didn't care.

On a different note... I have never been so utterly aware of how ugly my feet are in my life. ~G.