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31st out of 31 books
—
9 voters
Vidalia in Paris
by
Sasha Watson (Goodreads Author)
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...more
Hardcover, 288 pages
Published
October 2nd 2008
by Viking Juvenile
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I was rooting for this book, about a girl named Vidalia who spends a summer abroad in Paris in an art program, but there were way too many things about it I didn't like.
For instance:
1. The main character. She's boring. I think you'd have to develop some personality to overcome being named after an onion.
2. There's a nice bookstore boy and a hot art thief. Vidalia chooses the art thief,* and every other decision she makes is equally dumb or dumber.
3. Instead of incorporating real art, the author...more
For instance:
1. The main character. She's boring. I think you'd have to develop some personality to overcome being named after an onion.
2. There's a nice bookstore boy and a hot art thief. Vidalia chooses the art thief,* and every other decision she makes is equally dumb or dumber.
3. Instead of incorporating real art, the author...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com
Vidalia finds herself traveling to Paris on an art scholarship for six weeks during the summer. She's happy to be away from the struggles of her home life.
She loves art, but her first art class is a disaster. Her specialty art, rabbit houses, is completely different than the art produced by the other artists in her class.
Her host family seems too busy to hang out with her. She's on her own for most of her vacation - which is fine with her; she's...more
Vidalia finds herself traveling to Paris on an art scholarship for six weeks during the summer. She's happy to be away from the struggles of her home life.
She loves art, but her first art class is a disaster. Her specialty art, rabbit houses, is completely different than the art produced by the other artists in her class.
Her host family seems too busy to hang out with her. She's on her own for most of her vacation - which is fine with her; she's...more
In a nutshell: not only is Marco obviously a complete and incorrigible sleaze, Vidalia is quite literally one of the stupidest main characters I have ever met.
But if we want have a little fun with it: In this story, a high school senior wins a competitive summer scholarship to study art in Paris, and while there she immediately meets two cute French guys who are interested in her (as you do). Julien works at the English bookstore and is adorable and college-bound; Marco, living by his wits, is...more
But if we want have a little fun with it: In this story, a high school senior wins a competitive summer scholarship to study art in Paris, and while there she immediately meets two cute French guys who are interested in her (as you do). Julien works at the English bookstore and is adorable and college-bound; Marco, living by his wits, is...more
I enjoyed this book for the most part, but was puzzled by some of the choices. The classmate with severe emotional problems did not seem vital to the book, especially since Vidalia already had a mother with severe emotional problems. Her explorations of Paris, and experiences meeting people, were lovely; I sort of wished it was just a novel about an American girl in Paris, sans mental-health issues and possibly sans art theft. I thought, wistfully, that if this book had been written 60 years ago...more
This was a fun YA novel. Vidalia, a high school student being raised by a single mother with a bit of a Grey Gardens thing going on, goes to Paris to study art for the summer. This has a great Paris feel that is instantly recognizable if you've ever done the student in Paris thing, from her uncomfortable home stay to visiting the English language bookstore on the place St-Michel to meeting interesting boys. One thing I especially liked about this is that Vidalia makes some choices that aren't so...more
Jul 09, 2009
Aarti
is currently reading it
Recommends it for:
fifth graders
Shelves:
romance,
really-boring
As of right now, this book is pretty boring. The only reason i continue to force myself to read it is because i am thinking that [based off what the book cover says:] maybe it might get interesting if i stick to it. Also i don't have too many other options right now, because i only have one other book to read with me. Additionally, i always feel bad when i don't finish a book. Vidalia, the main character, seems to be rather dull and slow. which would be absolutely fine, really, but only if the w...more
It was... okay. Vidalia was a bad character first of all. She was not round at all, plus she was really stupid and she didn't learn from anything. Throughout the whole book I didn't feel like I knew her at all. Which is not a good sign.
I hated um... what's his name, Marco, Marcus? Something like that. He sucked. Enough said.
Loved Julius. Although he could have been developed a bit more.
I liked the setting, Paris is one of my favorite places ever, and I think the author did a pretty good job of c...more
I hated um... what's his name, Marco, Marcus? Something like that. He sucked. Enough said.
Loved Julius. Although he could have been developed a bit more.
I liked the setting, Paris is one of my favorite places ever, and I think the author did a pretty good job of c...more
After ordering this book from the library, I realized that it was a young adult book. I read it anyway because it was set in Paris. It was an ok read, but I was a little shocked at the subject matter in a so called "young adult" novel. A high school student goes to Paris to study art for the summer. She ends up traveling all around the city on her own, meeting a "bad boy", steals some art, travels to Cannes and breaks into a house to spend the night, and sleeps with the "bad boy". All in all not...more
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...more
I disliked Marco and I still don’t understand why Vidalia liked him...more
The book was good. but my first reactions was, "it was too happy and predictable." and there was just something about the main character...i read some other reviews and i'm going to agree with one of them when they say she was just too boring. she didnt have any life to her. i just couldnt feel a connection.
but, i did love the paris setting and the aroma of love, (i am a true romantic) i guess overall it was okay.
but, i did love the paris setting and the aroma of love, (i am a true romantic) i guess overall it was okay.
Really, really enjoyable. I almost put off reading this because I was feeling exhausted with the problems of precocious teenage girls (I've read one too many of those lately), but Vidalia wasn't like those at all. She comes across as an absolutely real person; even though she mostly seems older than a high school student, it's clear that she's grown up early for legitimate reasons. And the mistakes she makes ARE those of someone her age.
The study-abroad experience is captured perfectly, and the...more
The study-abroad experience is captured perfectly, and the...more
It was definitely a young adult book, but had a few more mature bits and pieces throughout. It was an easy read, but was still able to pull me into the story line. A lot of the story has French phrases, and I'm certain I will find myself slipping into that language for the next few weeks. Good thing I understand it!
This was so disappointing! Watson had a great story line, the beginnings of fabulous characters, but no "umph!" to make them work for a middle school to high school audience. She did through in one sex scene - so poorly done - as if to salvage the book for a sixteen year old. Another mention of sex at a party seemed a lame attempt at bringing the book up for an older audience. Without these two items, I would have recommended this book to my sixth graders without a doubt.
I think Watson has pote...more
I think Watson has pote...more
Vidalia goes to Paris to learn how to paint - and as I'm sure you can guess, learns a lot more than that. To her credit, Watson makes Vidalia a not complete sap and explores fairly honestly sex, attraction, bad choices and travel without wrapping it all up in a pretty bow. Good enough, but by no means compelling.
I got really bored with this book...no momentum. I confess, I skimmed the last third of the book. It's fluff, not terrible, but I was ready to be done with it. First novel for the author
This book provided wasn't as good as i expected it to be.Sometimes a felt as if nothing was happening/
The ending was a surprise, though not necessarily a good one. Decent book overall, though.
This inspired me to make a new shelf: cool covers!
I LOVE PARIS/FRANCE....AND ALSO LOVED THIS BOOK:D
The setting (Paris, obvs) definitely made me want to travel, but I can't be sure whether that's because I have been there so I could picture it, or because the book did it well. No objectivity, alas. I wanted more, more, more art class scenes, more friendships with the other kids in the art class. I wish I knew more about Vidalia's motivations. It makes sense, though, that maybe she wouldn't know them. So: not gripping, but fun.
SPOILER ALERT
i was heartbroken when it came to the end where she and Marco had to separate. but i kept thinking that it was for her own good. i was a crushed when Julien just left her and got together with that other girl. i was dumbfounded that love had blinded Vidalia so much. i found my self cheering on the friendship with Heather. it was a nice break from the fantasy stuff.
i was heartbroken when it came to the end where she and Marco had to separate. but i kept thinking that it was for her own good. i was a crushed when Julien just left her and got together with that other girl. i was dumbfounded that love had blinded Vidalia so much. i found my self cheering on the friendship with Heather. it was a nice break from the fantasy stuff.
Vidalia leaves the cloistered life she led as caretaker of her agoraphobic mom for art school in Paris - and boy, does her life change! Swarthy Marco is too good to be true (and he is ..), and guy pal Julien is happy to let Vidalia find her own way. Small town girl gets out of Dodge story combined with an art swindle thriller, with all the ambience of cafe life. A sweet and lovely read.
If you like bad boys, art and all things french, run quick to a bookstore near you! After winning an art scholarship to study in Paris, Vidalia finds herself in a whirlwind of good verses bad. Will she chose the sexy, french boy who's wrapped up in underground art dealings or the sweet Julien who understands her need to escape her troubled mother?
Not a bad story, a bit fluffy at times and it seemed as though the author tried to tackle way too many topics for one book, but it was a quick read and I enjoyed it.
If I could give it 3.5 I probably would..I liked it and wanted to know what happened to Vidalia...but I didn't love it.
Oct 28, 2008
Cynthia L.
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
readers who want well-rounded characters and complex plots
Recommended to Cynthia by:
Linda Benson, VOYA Review Editor
A delightful Parisian adventure for teen readers. Buy a copy as a gift. Give a copy to your local library. Set aside an afternoon to savor this title. Vidalia in Paris is Watson's gift to readers. Enjoy!
(Note: a more detailed review will appear in an upcoming issue of VOYA magazine.)
(Note: a more detailed review will appear in an upcoming issue of VOYA magazine.)
This book is good if you're looking for a book with some scenery, French references, and a love for the French culture. If you are looking for a book with actual substance, don't pick this one up. I found the characters to be easy, and the plot to be predictable.
This is a great book about a girl who goes to Paris and has an awesome adventure there with this guy she really likes but they are such a big mistake!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vidalia does not pray but does eat and love. A worthy read; I felt like I was in Paris. Which is *such* a good thing!
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Oct 21, 2009 07:09pm