Vidalia in Paris [Hardcover]

Sasha Watson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2, 2008

When Vidalia wins a scholarship to study art abroad for the summer, she can’t believe her good fortune. Paris is filled with surprises, including Julien, the nice bookstore clerk Vidalia should like as more than a friend, and Marco, the mysterious art dealer she can’t stay away from. By the time she finds out the truth about the paintings Marco sells, she’s fallen for him too hard to really care. But when his crimes threaten to involve her directly, Vidalia has to separate reason from passion.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Vidalia is delighted to study art in Paris on scholarship. But from the first, things do not go as expected. Her host family is cold, the art master doesn’t think she has talent, and a former friend is also on the trip. Then Vidalia meets two guys. Julian, the nice one, works at Shakespeare and Company bookstore. Marco charms Vidalia with his expertise in art and his mysterious aura. Marco, who has an elastic set of values, especially when it comes to stealing art from the rich, soon draws a willing Vidalia into an unstable situation. What starts out as simple turns into a multilayered story that keeps readers wondering how things will turn out. First-time author Watson has several subplots that, though interesting, are never really developed (an agoraphobic mother; the long-ago best friend who has a breakdown). But the main push and pull of the narrative—Vidalia’s relationship with the scheming Marco—fascinates throughout. Paris makes a great background, and an intriguing cover will draw readers in. Grades 9-12. --Ilene Cooper

Review

Watson portrays Paris with a doting accuracy and delineates all the torments of first love. --Kirkus Reviews

Watson does a wonderful job of describing Vidalia's emotions throughout the book...readers will enjoy this story, getting caught up in the romance and Parisian ambiance. --School Library Journal

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile (October 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670010944
• ISBN-13: 978-0670010943
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,701,349 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Inappropriate, May 20, 2011

By 

DzneyVee (Vilnius, Lithuania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vidalia in Paris (Hardcover)

I read Vidalia in Paris as research into what tweens are reading and enjoying these days, it was recommended at my local library. I also work with teenagers, and have always been surprised at the level of reading skills and the things they were finding interesting, reading similar things to myself, such as Murakami and Marquez.

Sadly, I found Vidalia in Paris to be trite. This poorly written and poorly edited book underestimates the reading maturity of tweens and teenagers. On the other hand, the relationship between Vidalia and Marco was odd, and certain romantic scenes were inappropriate at best for young readers, and most certainly unnecessary to the story, adding nothing to Vidalia's character development that couldn't have

Additionally, though not important for anyone who has never been to Paris, certain details about the city were incorrect, from my experience living there. Don't buy this book, and certainly don't give it to any young person you care about.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Story Siren Reviews:, December 18, 2008

By 

The Story Siren "Kristi" (Indiana) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Vidalia in Paris (Hardcover)

Although I've never been to Paris, I almost feel as if I was visiting while I was reading this novel. The descriptions and imagery portrayed in Watson's writing is spectacular! That alone made Vidalia in Paris an enjoyable read. Vidalia herself came across as a real person and her maturity is well expected after the relationship with her mother is explained. Yes she still makes mistakes as anyone her age would be expected to do.

I disliked Marco and I still don't understand why Vidalia liked him other than for his smoking hot good looks. The guy is shady and not only that but a loser to boot. I know my dream date is to dine and dash! I mean come on, red flag right there. I know you can't help who you fall in love with, but you can choose who you associate with. She couldn't even be open with Marco, and yet she had no problem being open with Julien but she chooses to dismiss that.

Had I liked Marco, I think I would have liked this novel better. It was still a good read, but there are some things that I wish had been played out a little differently, obviously!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Compulsive Reader's Reviews, November 14, 2008

By 

The Compulsive Reader (Big Rapids, MI, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Vidalia in Paris (Hardcover)

Vidalia is thrilled--this summer, she's headed to Paris. And as if it weren't enough to simply be there, she'll be studying under the famous artist and teacher, Laurent Benoit. Despite her reservations about leaving her mother alone for six weeks, she sets off, excited for what her visit will bring. Once in Paris, she meets two guys--sweet, studious Julien who works at the bookstore Shakespeare and Company, and mysterious Marco, who is impulsive and passionate--and not altogether truthful.

Soon Vidalia is caught up in the excitement and wonder of a beautiful city, freedom, and the thrills of first love...but when she finds herself in over her head, will she be able to help herself?

One thing that stands out the most in Watson's debut novel is her exemplary use of imagery and her highly descriptive language that brings Paris and the surrounding French countryside to life, lending an air of authenticity to the book that is hard to achieve otherwise. Likewise, Vidalia is a very multi-faceted character whose strong emotions are palpable, and readers will empathize with her conflicting feelings for Marco, her exasperation with her mother, and the hurt of a friendship that seems to have run its course. These convincing and heartfelt feelings, along with Watson's smooth style, make it easier for teens to buy the slightly far-fetched details of the book, like Vidalia and Marco crashing an elite party. However, Watson keeps surprising the reader until the very end with plot twists and turns that you won't see coming without unnecessarily complicating the structure of the story. Overall, the Vidalia in Paris captures the beautiful rush of independence, and best of all, the coming of age.