From the author of the much-acclaimed Soul Kiss comes the story of an African-American woman's creative coming-of-age.
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Jan 27, 2012
Nancy
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I love Paris, its grandeur, its palaces, museums, monuments, breathtaking views, restaurants, cafes, its rich culture and history. It is a dynamic, international and happening place.
It’s been about 5 years since I’ve been there last, so I was really looking forward to taking a literary trip to Paris.
Eden, a 26-year-old Black woman from Alabama and an aspiring writer, journeys to Paris with just $200 in her pocket to follow in the footsteps of her literary heroes – James More...
It’s been about 5 years since I’ve been there last, so I was really looking forward to taking a literary trip to Paris.
Eden, a 26-year-old Black woman from Alabama and an aspiring writer, journeys to Paris with just $200 in her pocket to follow in the footsteps of her literary heroes – James More...
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Sep 26, 2010
Fiona
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Hmmm… I had much higher expectations of this novel. These expectations were partly based upon the fact that this book was my first ever ‘group-read’. Perhaps my indifference to this fictional memoir is underpinned by my current temperament; perhaps I simply could not endure the idealism of the impassioned and inspired protagonist Eden, as she chased her literary dream around Paris.
“The words were crowded together carefully as if they had been written in a small, dark place by some More...
“The words were crowded together carefully as if they had been written in a small, dark place by some More...
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Jan 23, 2012
Nikita T.
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I read this book during my freshman year in college as an English assignment. I couldn't put it down. I loved it so much that when I began writing my essay that was assigned(which I love doing for books anyway), I ended up rereading the book. Choosing quotes was so hard because there was so much about the book that I found beautiful. It is now my all time favorite book. EVER. That could also be due to the fact that for much of my teenage years I dreamed of the possibility of living in Paris one
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Nov 10, 2007
Tamara
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It's not too often that I read a book that I can't put down. In reference to this book, that was exactly the case.Although this is the author's first work, I found myself unable to stop reading because of the way in which she writes.I feel that this book is great because it allows the reader to be exposed to various personalities of the main character.
When I first saw the title of this book, I'll admit, I was somewhat offended.I didn't know why I felt that way, it just seemed like t More...
When I first saw the title of this book, I'll admit, I was somewhat offended.I didn't know why I felt that way, it just seemed like t More...
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Jul 31, 2009
Elizabeth
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This was one of those novels where, as I was reading, I thought two things. 1. This is a pretty good book, and 2. This book probably isn't for me. A young African-American woman decides to leave her job and set out for France, based on the long and rich tradition of black artists finding inspiration and sanctuary in Paris. Once there, she meets a series of people from all walks of life, each of whom give her some insight into an aspect of Paris. Naturally, as these things go, some of these encou
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Jan 28, 2009
Velvetink
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Black Girl in Paris by Shay Youngblood is a colorful literary jazz arrangement where the author's narrative improvisations transport the reader through the streets of Paris, deconstructing in their wake many fixed preconceived ideas about France and its influence on African American artists. The interest these virtuosos show for the city of lights is still undeniable in spite of, or due to, the present tumultuous situation between the United States and France. However, one must confront the imag
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Jan 25, 2010
Michelle
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I read most of this in two sittings. I still find myself picturing some scenes in my head, her language is descriptive and poetic.Though it's a quick read, it's compelling in that it brings a different perspective to a city that is so generally romanticized. It brings in the serious uprisings that were happening in the 80's all over Europe: bombings, hostage crises, mixed with the quintessential coming of age book. She was honest about the racism she felt, but I wish that the author could have b
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Nov 15, 2010
Rachel
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As a young black woman I have always romanticized Paris in my mind, having been only once (as a tourist) I feel that the potential for the city to meet my expectations that I've dreamed up in my mind is possible, but at the same time I'm no fool to think that I could be equally disappointed. This book made me draw so many parallels into my own idealistic ideas of what Paris is and what it could be for me. As for the main character in this novel, she goes into her trip with the same naiveté and g
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Jan 08, 2009
Twyla
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I LOVE this book. It is full of snippets that still follow me everyday. Here are a few of my faves....
"I am not afraid to die, because I am living, really living, not wondering what living would be like."
"No teacher can teach as well as the careful study of one great poem."
"You got a cup of African blood and that mean something, means you got a responsibility to be proud of it and use your talents or suffer self-destruction."
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"I am not afraid to die, because I am living, really living, not wondering what living would be like."
"No teacher can teach as well as the careful study of one great poem."
"You got a cup of African blood and that mean something, means you got a responsibility to be proud of it and use your talents or suffer self-destruction."
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Aug 20, 2009
Francesca
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Black Girl In Paris by Shay Youngblood
This novel is for anyone who has a strong desire to nurture a talent that is hidden while overcoming the fear of one day sharing that talent with the world. Shay Youngblood, does an excellent job in bringing the reader to the moment. Every, situation endured by the young artist presents situations one can easily relate. This is a coming-of-age story that paints Paris as the perfect backdrop for getting-to-know oneself. Yes. Yes. Yes.
This novel is for anyone who has a strong desire to nurture a talent that is hidden while overcoming the fear of one day sharing that talent with the world. Shay Youngblood, does an excellent job in bringing the reader to the moment. Every, situation endured by the young artist presents situations one can easily relate. This is a coming-of-age story that paints Paris as the perfect backdrop for getting-to-know oneself. Yes. Yes. Yes.
Jul 09, 2011
Korri
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Shay Youngblood speaks to a universal experience of post-adolescent searching through the lens of being a black girl in Paris. Eden, whose name evokes the garden before the fall, is on a journey to discover herself and who she will become in the city that welcomed James Baldwin, her idol. She learns how to flatten herself to fit into menial jobs, how to love with white jazz musician Ving and a thief Lucienne, and how to negotiate France's complicated relationship with her skin color thanks the c
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Feb 12, 2011
Christine
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Shay's book takes you on that youthful summer trip to Paris that we all as artists always wanted to take, but makes it meaningful through her struggles as a write and African-American, learning that even France is not a color-blind as she'd been told it was.
Nov 07, 2011
Alison
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Another 3.5 stars- a really good book. It was almost like poetry to read. As the title suggests it is about the journey of a black girl in Paris- isolation, love, racism, politics, creativity. Another gift of the Brooklyn stoop swap system.
Jul 31, 2011
Katrina
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I really enjoyed this book, it was really different from the books i've read in the past. I really enjoyed Eden the main character of the story, she was so curageous to go to Paris with almost nothing. Great Read!
May 31, 2011
Rachel
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I'm not sure what to say about this book. I did really enjoy it. I connected with it for reasons that I don't quite understand. I will have to read it again, maybe next year to see why...
Mar 14, 2011
Kellie
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It wasn't bad and it wasn't great. It just seemed to be disjointed but each escapade and encounter was interesting. It kept my attention while lounging on vacation.
Jul 25, 2010
Audra (Unabridged Chick)
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This beautiful book is both a coming-of-age story of Eden, an American woman of color, and an homage to the Paris that Americans flocked to in the '20s and 30s. Eden goes through a series of low paying (and occasionally humiliating) jobs in her search for James Baldwin. Eden reflects on Baldwin's life and his writing as well as her own life as a woman of color in late '80s Paris. Facing violence -- from Parisians, foreign terrorists -- she still finds friends and lovers, and eventually, some
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Dec 12, 2007
Evan
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I really liked this book. Eden, the main character is a young black girl-woman (24? 25? 26?) who one day decides to go to Paris. She wants to be a writer and wants to meet James Baldwin to ask him about love, about writing. Along her journey she works as an artist's model, an au pair, a poet's helper, a thief. She falls in bed with men, desires one white male jazz musician and loves a woman with skin like hers. I've dreamed of Paris and a cottage in a near by village or town where I could l
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Jul 10, 2011
Kendra
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I've already read this book but I am reading it again and I am sure I will read it again and again and again...it makes me dream purty dreams of gay Paris!
Oct 01, 2010
Sherry
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I love this book. I like to read books about writers and their pursuit of writing.
Feb 03, 2009
Sherri
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Normally I would not have picked up this book if it was not on sale for a $1. I was pleasantly surprised that I liked it.
Dec 28, 2010
J'espere
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So, Shay Youngblood went into my head when I was asleep and took her version of my dreams and wrote this book. I loved every minute of it. She pins her words together with a sweet precision, I got every picture she painted and it altered the rhythm of my pulse. Makes for good reading and a prod for anyone who, like me, longs to write and to experience all things French.
Jul 16, 2008
Jennifer
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This was a really great read. You felt like you were on the journey with main character, Eden. A tour of Paris from an American starving artists point of view. I found myself searching the pages for James Baldwin just as the heroine searched the streets of Paris for him. Inspiration to not only follow your calling, but to take risks and challenge yourself.
Jul 18, 2008
Masika
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This story takes place in Paris. A young girl is inspired to up and leave the south to travel to Paris to become a writer. Inspired by Langston Hughs, James Baldwin and writers that went to Paris to leave the insanity of the States. I love stories that take Place in Paris. I have been there and this city does have a strange sad,but happy atmosphere.
Dec 02, 2011
Jayne
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I loved the syle in which this book was written - short punchy sentences that created drama and emphasis. I found the subject of a young woman traveling to Paris and becoming an artist's model, au pair and poet's help all for the love and passion of writing very exciting and interesting. I would definitely re-read this one :)
