Paris

The Novel

De: Edward Rutherfurd

Narrado por: Jean Gilpin

From the grand master of the historical novel comes a dazzling, epic portrait of the City of Light.

Internationally best-selling author Edward Rutherfurd has enchanted millions of readers with his sweeping, multigenerational dramas that illuminate the great achievements and travails throughout history. In this breathtaking saga of love, war, art, and intrigue, Rutherfurd has set his sights on the most magnificent city in the world: Paris.

Moving back and forth in time across centuries, the story unfolds through intimate and vivid tales of self-discovery, divided loyalties, passion, and long-kept secrets of characters both fictional and real, all set against the backdrop of the glorious city - from the building of Notre Dame to the dangerous machinations of Cardinal Richlieu; from the glittering court of Versailles to the violence of the French Revolution and the Paris Commune; from the hedonism of the Belle Époque, the heyday of the impressionists, to the tragedy of the First World War; from the 1920s when the writers of the Lost Generation could be found drinking at Les Deux Magots to the Nazi occupation, the heroic efforts of the French Resistance, and the 1968 student revolt.

With his unrivaled blend of impeccable research and narrative verve, Rutherfurd weaves an extraordinary narrative tapestry that captures all the glory of Paris. More richly detailed, more thrilling, and more romantic then anything Rutherfurd has written before, Paris: The Novel wonderfully illuminates hundreds of years in the City of Light and Love and brings the sights, scents, and tastes of Paris to sumptuous life.

©2013 Edward Rutherfurd (P)2013 Random House Audio

My favorite author at his best!

**Note: I’ve just finished this book for the second time. My goodness, this is absolutely gorgeous. Rutherfurd’s Masterpiece! Each story is weaved together so seamlessly and perfectly that nothing feels forced or formulaic. The performance by Jean Gilpin is exquisite. Together, the writing and narration make this one of those rare and perfect audiobooks. A story made better by listening. I was so sad to get to the end of the book this second time. I can’t fathom what I will listen to next that can remotely compare.**

First Review: I couldn’t disagree more with other reviewers who complain that the story travels in time back and forth, this making this book confusing. The structure and time line of this novel help make it so incredibly brilliant and unforgettable! The style is a slight change for Rutherfurd and I love it! I wasn’t ever confused as to the time period, as each chapter begins with the year it takes place. His stories of the ancient and recent past all hold threads of importance in the later time period. The later story is the true focus of this book. It starts in the 1800’s and continues until 1940’s German-occupied France. The stories that are earlier than 1800’s are all connected to the cast of characters/families that we follow from the building of the Eiffel Tower to the time of General De Gaulle.

It is a different style than Rutherfurd’s other chronological books, but to tell the story of a city like Paris, I think it was very effective.

I hated for this book to end. The narrator was excellent, except for her flat American accent. It’s not used often enough to matter that much.

I am sad, though, as this is the last of Rutherfurd’s books I have to read. I’ve now listened to all his work available on audible. (Except for the abridged Forest.) It can’t imagine anything that will compare to this amazing book.

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a slow start, wonderful finish. great characters. thrilling realism. made me smile in spots and tear up at times.

Surprisingly Boring!

I've very much enjoyed most of E. Rutherfurd other books so was deeply disappointed to find myself listening to this one on 1.5x just to get through. I think it was a combination of skipping past the early Roman times and traveling back and forth through time that kept me off balance and disinterested in the cast of characters. But I have friends who've very much enjoyed this book so maybe it's just me.

Loved everything about this book except the ending

This epic was quite enjoyable and the narrator was fantastic. I lobed the fiction interwoven with the historical fact about Paris. I've read several other Rutherford books, I love his engaging works. My only complaint is that I thought the ending could have been wrapped up better, with the same verve, elegance, and skill as the rest of the book. All in all, I still really enjoyed it.

Wonderful

A captivating story of the city and people of Paris through the centuries. I especially loved Rutherfurd's Belle Epoque depiction. I couldn't stop listening to find out how the next generation of these four families would become intertwined. The characters were so vivid

Good listen

Would you listen to Paris again? Why?

Yes. Very interesting to view history in this way, one place and travel down the years through several families.

Would you be willing to try another book from Edward Rutherfurd? Why or why not?

Yes. So far I have read them all!

What does Jean Gilpin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Different voices anda French accent

If you could take any character from Paris out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Let's just have a banquet!

Wonderful historical sweep of Paris

Wonderful historical sweep of Paris with characters I loved and despised. I need to go to Paris soon

So much easier to follow than Sarum.

Would you consider the audio edition of Paris to be better than the print version?

I don't know not having seen the book. I will say having listened to Sarum first prepared me for the layout of this read. I found it much easier to follow than my first experience with Sarum. I should go back to Sarum and see if it's easier to follow now that I get the format. While this book doesn't go back as far as Sarum in terms of centuries, it was a bit more appealing in the fictional aspect rather than historical aspect, both tying in quite nicely.

What other book might you compare Paris to and why?

Other Rutherford books.

What about Jean Gilpin’s performance did you like?

Very much!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, not an extreme reaction.

Any additional comments?

It's a good, long read if you are into those things. Great if you have a long drive/trip or a project like painting your house. It all ties up nicely at the end. Lots and lots of historical reference blended in a very clever human interest way

Epic saga over the centuries that gives historical insights about Paris that I didn’t know

While a very long saga...I found I was drawn to the fictional characters interwoven with the history. Having visited the City of Light and having lunched at the Jules Verne inside the Eiffel Tower, I was particularly struck by the story of the building of the tower itself! I enjoyed the way Rutherford wove it all together. A daunting task indeed. Well done! I think my grandfather (born in Tulle, but an emigre to America) would be gratified that I was reading about his homeland’s history!

A True Love Story

A love story about the country Itself.
I have a much better understanding of the French culture and why the French think so highly of themselves and are arrogant because they totally believe that it's the best place in the world. I now have more respect for the French And very happy that Edward Rutherford wrote this book