This very fast read by Antoine Laurain is just a delightful story about a Parisian man who finds the purse of a woman who has been mugged, her ID stolen. But the other items in the purse provide clues that fascinate him and he becomes determined to find her to return the bag.
It's all so simple. Yet so wonderful.
Blogger Lynne of Irish Garden House introduced me to this book and I'm curious to read others by Laurain.
A bit about the author -- he has written several novels, including "The Portrait" and the acclaimed "The President's Hat." But he's also a screenwriter, journalist and has a passion for art (and antique key collecting) that once led him to working in the Parisian antiques business.
For more about him, visit his website HERE.
Or check out this article in The Guardian.
Although I haven't finished either of them yet, I'll also throw in "so far, so excellent!" reviews for two other books with a Paris theme.
"Remembrance of Things Paris: Sixty Years of Writing from Gourmet Magazine" is an outstanding collection of articles from the one-time great cooking magazine, Gourmet, by a number of writers. Topics cover not only food but a visit to House of Dior, a visit to Cartier, and more. I'm about half through it and it is a book to savor, with wonderful writing that covers Paris from the war years and beyond.
The other is "The Alice Network." This is a fiction book by Kate Quinn. Two women come together in 1947. One is a nineteen-year-old American searching for her cousin who disappeared in France in World War II. The other is a wreck of a woman who was a spy in World War I who ends up helping her. Again, about half through and captivated as the journey through France for clues continues.
But first, find a copy of "The Red Notebook." And sit back and savor!
This post is part of Paris in July -- a fun blog party hosted by Tamara of Thyme for Tea. You can find more links to books, films, photos, travel notes, food, art and more -- all related to France -- HERE.
35 comments:
Lovely post, I will see if I can get the book on my Kindle. Enjoy your weekend, hugs, Valerie
I've got to quit reading blogs! It causes my list of books I want to read grow too long. I love the concept of the Red Notebook. I've always got a notebook in my purse with notes I jot down EVERYWHERE I go and I often wonder what people would think if they saw what I wrote. I'm off to Amazon to put this book on my wish list.
I will! This sounds like an intriguing and heartwarming book. You've introduced it most effectively, Jeanie! Enjoying all your Paris in July posts. I'm facing a Parisian block here, can't think of anything to write. Maybe a French film...
I have this book sitting in my to be read pile but I'm putting it to the top now. I'll start it this weekend. What better time to read it then Paris in July month! The other books sound great also.
The Red Notebook sounds like a light read!
Hi Jeanie,
I’ll definitely have to look at that Gourmet collection! Hope you are still enjoying the lake.
best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
They all sound worth reading. Thanks for the tips.
Ooo, The Red Notebook - I will give it a try.
OH I am intrigued Jeanie, I hope I can find the Red Notebook!
Jenna
How utterly awesome, Jeannie. I have another internet friend who reviewed "The Alice Network" and I was intrigued by it. Sounds like some wonderful reads.
I always love book recommendations and you have some really tasty ones! Now I have to remember not to go directly to Amazon and jack up my card balance!!!
Hugs, my friend!
Jane
OOh! I dont know his work yet! He sounds quite intriguing. I read a couple of the interviews he's done and I like his rather dark sense of humor. Two of his books, in particular, I'm going to seek out my next book splurge: French Rhapsody and Smoking Kills. Both sound wonderful!
Thank you for the recommendation and the most excellent introduction!
I also thoroughly enjoyed The Alice Network - it's my favorite way to learn about obscure tidbits of history LOL. Having them put into a fictionalized narrative makes them so much more interesting to read about!
Have a terrific week!
I was instantly intrigued by this book but a search through my local library system does not show one single book from this author! I guess I will have to go to Amazon. This is my kind of read so I will find it! thanks for sharing.
Sounds like a good one! TY!
I love reading recommendations from other bloggers. They always seem to mirror my own thoughts about a book! xo Diana
Still one of my most favorite . . .
My Red Notebook is still traveling . . .
Although I was “with the current reader” recently and she was into reading the book.
I will send her your post, bet she will enjoy . . .
(It was a good thing I made the decision about cancelling a possible Sunday morning meet up.
We arrived home last evening to discover the ice maker on the fridge had problems.
Water everywhere . . . wood floors, carpet leading downstairs, into the dry walls . . . MESS)
Needless to say . . . last even8ng and today have become another story!
Sounds like an interesting book Jeanie. Don't know the author or his other book either, thanks for the recommendation.
I loved his The President’s Hat, and this seems to be inthe same genre. Have to get this.
Enjoyed your review on The Red Notebook, sounds intriguing. A fun read for a breach trip. Enjoyed this and other French posts this month for Thyme for Tea. Thanks for sharing the book recommendation.........
I laughed at the line about transgressing by going through a woman's purse. I can remember my dad asking me to look for something in Mom's purse, because he wasn't about to look, himself. What a premise for a book! Love it!
That book does sound interesting. I haven't heard of it, but it is always good to find another book to add to my booklist. Hope you had a great weekend Jeanie. hugs-Erika
being new to your blog, i was just wondering if there is a significance to the spelling of marmalade? cheers sherry
oh i've just looked it up. it's possibly the french way of spelling it. right i get it )
Jeanie, thank you for these reviews. I love to read and always have a book that I am reading. I love this Paris series. Have a great week!
Jeanie, I'm always looking for something "a little different" to read, and this new-to-me writer fills the bill! And I've gotten a little behind this summer and so also just caught up with your lake posts, settling in with Lizzie and Rick. Sounds delightful!
OOPS..thanks for the reminder, I have books to go back to library today! HEading out to go feed horses in a few and I will drop them off then. I love to read although I find it hard to sit and do anymore. Thanks for the reply on my blog...email is pjack214@bellsouth.net.
I'm definitely adding The Red Notebook to my list. It sounds great! The Alice Network is already on my list, but you're making me to get to it sooner rather than later.
awwwwwwwww, thank you Jeannie, so glad you enjoyed all the history about the old plantation. I love it there so much! Hope you had a real nice weekend and that DOES LOOK LIKE a very good book! Sounds like a great story.
sounds like a great read! I will look for it, so interesting, thanks for sharing this
Paris.. or French, for that matter, I still do have Le petit prince by Antoine de Siant Exupéry... Aaaaand, there´ll be a copy in platt-German, can´t wait for that :-)
Maybe not your focus, though, and no idea if I can understand platt-German but I do think it´s amazing this story gets translated to this dialect, no?
To France... or Paris :-)
This is my kind of read so I will find it! thanks for sharing.
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I just got a copy of this book. And now you have inspired me to read it today. Thank you.
I've read this book and it's delightful! I'm on the wait list for The Alice Network as I've heard great things about it.
One of my favorite "Paris" books is "The Piano Shop on the Left Bank." It's about an eccentric shop owner who sells used pianos but he has to get to know his clients so he can sell them the piano that is truly right for them. Throughout the book you learn lots about the different ways pianos are made in different countries. It's super fascinating - especially for me since I play/played piano (mostly in the past tense these days - ours collects dust right now but someday Paul will take lessons!). But even if you never played piano I think it's still a really fun read.
Thanks for the book recommendation! I love books set in Paris...No time to read until my show is up, and then, Aaahhhhhhh, some reading time in August.
This is the one Laurain I've yet to read. It sounds just lovely.
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