Sunday, July 12, 2020

Paris In July: Four by Laurain

Sometimes you find an author whose work just fits you. And perhaps it fits this time as well, when reality is so disconcerting and oppressive. Sometimes a little fantasy -- not too much off the mark, but just enough -- is the perfect escape antidote.

That's how I feel about the work of Antoine Laurain, the author of several books translated from the French including the ones I mention here -- "The Red Notebook," "The President's Hat," "Vintage 1954" and "The Portrait." A little fantasy but very real types of people, happy endings and a lot of joy -- I need that these days!

Antoine Laurain (source: Wikipedia)

Laurain may be known to some as a novelist, screenwriter, film director and journalist. Born and bred in Paris, he studied film and his first "occupation"was writing screenplays and directly short films.  But what I find especially intriguing about him, particularly when considering his books, is that he is a collector of things and at one time early in his career, assisted a Paris antiques dealer.

According to his biography on Belgravia Books, that experience inspired his first novel, "The Portrait," which was the most recent read of the four here. The premise is simple, a well-to-do married attorney with a passion for collecting buys a portrait at auction of a man in 17th century dress at an outrageous price. It captures his eye because he believes it looks exactly like him but to his chagrin, his wife or friends see no resemblance, which frustrates him. He ventures forth to learn more about the subject of the painting. Could it be it is a relative? Or even more unlikely, could it be that he is recognized as the long-missing Comte of a grand vineyard? It's a bit of time travel and fantasy and sheer delight.


His next book, "The President's Hat," received the Prix Landerneau Decouvertes and more. The premise is simple -- While dining at a restaurant, French president Mitterand leaves behind his hat. The gentleman dining next to him, rather than returning it, wears it home and finds that things that had been amiss improve dramatically. He is crushed when he leaves it on a train, only to have it found by a woman in different but equally difficult straits. It's power allows her to make life changing decisions. The hat passes on to other owners before it is joined back with Mitterand, each experiencing a significant change in their lives. Was it really the hat that made the difference? Or was it the wearing of the hat that gave each owner a bit of confidence and bravado?


Several years later, in 2015, "The Red Notebook" (still my favorite) became one of Gallic Books' best sellers in the K and the USA. There's a bit less "magic" in this one but so much heart. A woman is mugged, her purse stolen and trashed. The money is gone, but a bookstore owner finds the bag and becomes obsessed with finding the woman whose red notebook is so fascinating to him. Little does he know that she has suffered a head injury from the attack and is in the hospital. Of course, we know it will be a happy ending -- but how the pair finally connect with one another is a most delightful journey.


Finally, "Vintage 1954"takes us into the world of wine and time travel, another delightful fantasy. It turns out that the vintner who tasted a bottle of the 1954 vintage claimed forever to have encounters with aliens and traveling to another time. It is a story that intrigues his great grandson, Julian. When Julian, a young woman of whom he is fond, the owner of their apartment building and a tourist drink a bottle of the wine that the owner discovers in his cellar, the four find themselves in a new old world, the world of 1954, where they connect with such luminaries as a young Audrey Hepburn, Salvador Dali and Edith Piaf. Will they be able to find their way back to 1917? Of course they will -- but how? And did the journey change them?

I've not read other Laurain books but I will. His upbeat fantasy connects real life to dreams. No trolls or Hobbits or elves. These are real people in unreal circumstances -- that maybe could happen to anyone.

This post is part of Paris in July, a collection of blog posts hosted by Tamara at Thyme for Tea. Visit this link to check out other posts related to the books, music, films, sights and more in the City of Light.

Sharing with:  Let's Keep in Touch      /     Paris in July    /     Pink Saturday    

36 comments:

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

I read ‘The Red Notebook’ based on your recommendation and I really enjoyed it! I will have to check out his other books. I am definitely more drawn to light material with happy endings right now since real life feels quite heavy. :(

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks for introducing us to Laurain.

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

I'd love to read the Portrait! And I just read a romance novel that had a similar story line to the Red Notebook. A man found a lost journal in a coffee shop and fell in love with the woman who wrote it. They someone got connected by e-mail and began writing back and forth. Meanwhile they meant in real life but didn't know they were the ones doing the e-mail exchange because neither one was using their real names for that. Too many books, too little time!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Jeanie

I have read "The Red Notebook" and is one of my favorites. Thanks for sharing more on Laurain and his books. I will look and see if my library has his other books you mentioned. Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week ahead!

Mae Travels said...

You may have introduced me to Laurain -- someone did so, probably during a previous Paris in July! I agree, we need more fantasy and more silly books to read these days.

be well... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Terra said...

How had this author escaped my attention before your post? I am so happy to read these reviews and will pick one of his books to buy. Books that contain joy are precious.

R's Rue said...

Mais oui

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I love how you focused on a single artist/author. I have never heard of Laurain, but your synopses make me want to read them all. Great Paris in July entries, dear.

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Hi Jeanie, thanks for sharing this author. His books have interesting titles that make me think I would enjoy them. I will check them out..Stay well my friend..xxoJudy

Susie said...

Jeanie, I wish I could find that hat. LOL I think I would like to read those books. Today On our news an old fellow was hanging a bit sheet of paper on his porch with a dad joke on it. It read "what's the difference between a tick and the Eiffel Tower? None, they are both " Paris Sites." LOL. Thought you could use a laugh. Blessings to you, xoxo, Susie

DUTA said...

Good for you, Jeanie!
I'm no escapist. I tend to look reality straight into its eyes.
So, at this stage of my life - no happy ending books and movies for me. I get bored and nervous. I do read non-fiction and guides, though.

My name is Erika. said...

Thanks for this author recommendation Jeanie. I am always out on look out for new authors. Sounds like a good summer read and I will have to go check one out. Enjoy the new week. Hugs-Erika

Prims By The Water said...

What wonderful books. TFS Janice

Valerie-Jael said...

The books sound good, at the moment I'm just listening to murder and mayhem on audio books! Have a great week, Valerie

Rustic Pumpkin said...

We all need happy endings in our lives right now. I keep my feet planted firmly in reality, but no harm in letting my mind delve into happily ever after books.

~~~Deb in Wales

Iris Flavia said...

Oh, Jeanie, I don´t even dare to read along. You would only talk me into buying YET ANOTHER book! And I have soooo many already on my kindle!
Glad you enjoy, but me... skipping from food to Hiroshima and Freddie.

Stevenson Q said...

These are good books you are recommending us dear Jenaie, thank you so much! I;m sure if I read them I'll be taken back to Paris. Wish I can really go back there someday. Sending you hugs!

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

I really had never heard of this author before. Your book descriptions make them sound amazing. I'm going to head over to Amazon and see if I can find them in the Kindle section. Thanks so much for the reviews. Have a lovely Monday!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

After reading this post, Jeanie, I checked the catalog at my library and found only one, The Red Notebook, was available as an e-book download which is all I have been reading lately and it has been saved in my to read list. Next I will check if any others are available in the library now thatbit has reopened. Thanks for the synopsis of his books.

Marg said...

Vintage 1954 sounds like a fun read!

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Jeannie,
His books sound interesting..I am going to try to make a point of starting to read..I have quite a few books collected to read but i find it hard to find time to do so...Our local libraries are just starting to reopen to the public and in lew of the Summer book sales to help them with revenue, one is holding a mystery book sale...3 categories..Mystery,fictional- 5 hard cover for $10 with one very well known author and 10 paperbooks for $10...It is a drive through sale...I am thinking of getting a bundle of each category...
Thanks again for always taking the time to visit!
Hugs,
Deb

La Table De Nana said...

He's not on Overdrive:(

They look good!

crackercrumblife said...

Ooo these sound wonderful! And I love the covers. I will have to look him up!

Linda said...

I picked one up and am enjoying it. Thanks for the tip Jeannie☻

The French Hutch said...

Jeanie, I'm not familiar with the author and these books sound like good reads so I will check with my local bookstore. Enjoyed your reviews and the book covers....... Happy week.

Mike@Bit About Britain said...

I think I'd enjoy Laurain, Jeanie - and Mrs B probably would too. I'll keep an eye open..!

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

I've read The Red Notebook and must read the others! The President's Hat sounds delightful. Thanks for the recommendations, Jeanie.

R's Rue said...

😃

Hena Tayeb said...

I hadn't heard of the author before.. but I love all the book covers. Will check these out.. thanks for the recommendation.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Bonjour, Jeanie!

Oh sweet friend, thank you for coming to my blog post; I'm not posting as much but spending time on Instagram, reading and writing. I have spent some wonderful, quiet summer days so far reading some beloved French novels and right now, Ruben and I are reading Peter Mayle's "A Year in Provence" for the second time.

Thank you for this recommendation; I am going to see if I can get the original French copy of Le Portrait - sounds like a delightful read!

Lowcarb team member said...

Many thanks for introducing me to this author and books.

All the best Jan

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

I enjoy this author very much. My favorites (so far) are The President's Hat and The Red Notebook. I haven't read his first book. I just found another of his books on Hoopla at my library. It's called French Rhapsody. I am looking forward to reading it soon.

Pam Richardson said...

Jeanie, I must read some of his books, especially The Red Notebook. I always enjoy the Paris in July posts!

Marilyn Miller said...

These books sound intriguing and now I will put them on my list to read. Thanks so much. I love time travel in fiction.

Tamara said...

Ive loved these books too (although i havent read the latest). I wonder what it is about collecting & writing fiction? Do you collectors see stories in the objecrs of their affections.

Sami said...

I had never heard of this author but have taken note and will see if my library has his books as they sound like something I would love to read. Thanks Jeanie

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