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7th out of 48 books
—
17 voters
Paris Was Ours: Thirty-Two Writers Reflect on the City of Light
by
Penelope Rowlands (Goodreads Author)
Paris is the world capital of memory and desire, concludes one of the writers in this intimate and insightful collection of memoirs of the city. Living in Paris changed these writers forever.
In thirty-two personal essays more than half of which are here published for the first time the writers describe how they were seduced by Paris and then began to see things differentl...more
In thirty-two personal essays more than half of which are here published for the first time the writers describe how they were seduced by Paris and then began to see things differentl...more
Paperback, 279 pages
Published
February 8th 2011
by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill
(first published February 1st 2011)
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Paris Was Ours is a very enjoyable and fairly informative collection of essays. Like most collections of this type, some were better than others. Unlike most collections of this type, most of them were very, very good.
I was pleasantly surprised by the range of experiences presented: expats not only from America and Britain, but places as varied as Iraq, Iran and Cuba all give us a taste of their Parisian experience. And it’s not just foreigners; there are several essays from natives as well, ea...more
I was pleasantly surprised by the range of experiences presented: expats not only from America and Britain, but places as varied as Iraq, Iran and Cuba all give us a taste of their Parisian experience. And it’s not just foreigners; there are several essays from natives as well, ea...more
First, I have to mention that I'm a sucker for collections of essays or short stories. They provide a snapshot in time or, in this case, an image of Paris over the past 50 years. The sub-title, "32 writers reflect on the City of Light" misled me to believe that it would be about writing from Paris. It isn't: instead it is a collection of essays written about living there. Most, but not all of the writers are Americans.
As you might expect some of the essays are superb: Janine Di Giovanni does an...more
As you might expect some of the essays are superb: Janine Di Giovanni does an...more
Favourite thoughtful passages:
"Strangely enough there is no specific word for "lonely" in the French language: seul, isolé, abandonné, some people even use the word perdu." (Lily Tuck, My Literary Paris, p. 155)
"It really doesn't hurt if you don't know anything about Paris when you arrive, because it's all visibly legible The French mark their houses in a uniform way; they even pile up fruit in a way that makes it legible. They have outfits for each task. Anyone with any sense can see the logic...more
"Strangely enough there is no specific word for "lonely" in the French language: seul, isolé, abandonné, some people even use the word perdu." (Lily Tuck, My Literary Paris, p. 155)
"It really doesn't hurt if you don't know anything about Paris when you arrive, because it's all visibly legible The French mark their houses in a uniform way; they even pile up fruit in a way that makes it legible. They have outfits for each task. Anyone with any sense can see the logic...more
If one loves Paris, then one would enjoy this book. The varying viewpoints of very differing authors made it surprisingly interesting. Besides the former Bohemian students living in garrets, there was a fashion editor, a famous chef, some famous writers, and a homeless woman blogger who shared their experiences of living in the City of Light. I think that I have finally admitted that I am more in love with the idea of living in Paris than I am wanting to truly endure the discomfort of moving the...more
This is a collection of short pieces in or about living in Paris. There was a line in the introduction that kinds of turned me off that somehow implied that your experience of Paris was pretty much irrelevant if you didn't "live" there...which turned me off. But of the 34 difference writers, there were some wonderful pieces. Though it seems women either in college or fresh out of college seem to be featured (though it began to feel a little repetitive... yes, we get it, every woman is quickly se...more
Since Paris has been a center of culture for so long I was drawn to this book, and after reading these thirty two mostly fascinating and insightful essays about the joys and irritations of living in The City of Light I was not disappointed. The authors are contemporary, but their lives in Paris span decades. Most are British or American so give a sort of English-language cultural perspective, which can’t help but be interesting to someone like me who is a member of that tribe, but other essayist...more
Of late, I have (once again) been reading non-fiction books about life in Paris, often from the viewpoint of a relative outsider, or a visitor, in anticipation of a possible (re)visit within a year or two or three. Ah! Who knows? This I came across accidentally, as I drifted through the Paris travel section of the library. It is a delightful anthology of writer's Parisian observations which range from classical "flaneur" walkabouts, to personal tales of exile, and which explore the sometimes "pr...more
Feb 02, 2012
Dorothee Lang
added it
a wonderful collection. this book - just like the city - has so many layers. and every story adds a new, unexpected one. after reading the first stories, i read it at the pace of one story a day, and mailed with the friend who recommended it during that time. the summary of it, here:
last year in July, i visited Paris. it's a trip that still resonates, with all its moments and sights - and memories of earlier trips to this city. before i went there, i bought 2 books: "One Year in Paris" - the st...more
last year in July, i visited Paris. it's a trip that still resonates, with all its moments and sights - and memories of earlier trips to this city. before i went there, i bought 2 books: "One Year in Paris" - the st...more
This a relatively short book of articles (blogs?) of individuals who have been resident visitors to Paris over the years. The editor (and author of final arfticle - Penelope Rowalnd) has displayed a clever and interesting selection of writers and observers to reflect their unique experiences having left the USA and taken up residence in Paris. Their commentaries are clever, revealing and well-written. I found the book to be an enjoyable read but a little difficult to classify as it is really a c...more
One of my favorite types of books, this is an anthology containing the stories of foreigners who spent a year or more living in Paris. This type of book is a great way to get a feel for what a particular location is like, its people, culture and ethos - in this case, Paris. I came away thinking, for me personally, Paris would be a great place to visit but not a good fit as far as a place to settle down. The Parisian culture seems more foreign in comparison to the American culture than any other...more
Thirty-two rememberances of living in Paris fill Penelope Rowlands' book PARIS WAS OURS. There are observations of French mothers who structure their children's lives and expect good behavior and respectful attitudes toward adults. No earth mother child rearing, something embraced by Americans, would be accepted by the French. Nor would complicated daily activities for children, preoccupation with advancement at work, or inflated marital expectations. French women like their differences from men...more
As with most collections there were stories in this that I enjoyed and others that I did not. That being said I think the collection is a fairly good representation of the joys and trials that come with living in Paris.
Most people will probably think that this will be a glowing depiction of the city and written mainly for people who already have an obsessive love of the city (even if they haven't lived there or been there). Paris Was Ours is more of an honest account from different writers and t...more
Most people will probably think that this will be a glowing depiction of the city and written mainly for people who already have an obsessive love of the city (even if they haven't lived there or been there). Paris Was Ours is more of an honest account from different writers and t...more
This is a collection of essays, memories about Paris. The beginning stories were non-descript and downright boring. The middle stories were better. The best stories were towards the end. I only read to the end because I don't like to leave a book unfinished. I persevered to finish it. But, I wonder how many people make it past the first three chapters? I was reading from an ebook format so I didn't realize until the end that there is a short blurb about every writer who contributed at the back o...more
It was average. There were definitely some interesting perspectives, some positive and some negative. I think what I enjoyed the most was the consistency among most of the writers that even though Paris was melancholy to a certain degree and people were difficult there was something about all of it that should be appreciated, admired and embraced. It was enjoyable to read something completely different and out of the box. Refreshing.
I saw this new book at the library and had to check it out. Paris is one of those magical cities that holds a certain mystique. I have only been to Paris once, in my youth, but my memories of it are still strong.
The writers here all lived or live now in Paris. They talk about their memories of the city, their feelings about the city, and how it compares to their lives elsewhere.
A wonderful collection, that awoke my own memories.
The writers here all lived or live now in Paris. They talk about their memories of the city, their feelings about the city, and how it compares to their lives elsewhere.
A wonderful collection, that awoke my own memories.
Each essay really deserves its own review. You'd have to be stupid to finish this book and not be called to read more work by each of these talented writers. I loved Stacy Schiff's essay the most because she highlights the Paris she lives while writing her Franklin book. While it was after September 11th, she still shows the softside of the French, the side that takes time to appreciate the outsider, and sometimes welcome her.
Paris Was Ours is for any Francophile who wants to read about the experiences of various writers from around the globe in the City of Lights. Each anecdote has its own take on Paris and, while some aren't as captivating as others, for the most part they convey emotions that are particular to the author. A book that you won't want to put down, but is easy to read in short periods of time as each tale is no more than a few pages.
I love Paris. There's no doubt about it. I dream of living and getting into a routine in the City of Light. When I came across Paris Was Ours in a bookstore, I just had to read it.
The book is comprised of essays from 32 authors. It's an interesting format because it tells stories from distinct perspectives, including that of a homeless blogger. Not all Parisian adventures are romantic - some are pedestrian, some are stressful, and some are downright humiliating. The variety of experiences do sha...more
The book is comprised of essays from 32 authors. It's an interesting format because it tells stories from distinct perspectives, including that of a homeless blogger. Not all Parisian adventures are romantic - some are pedestrian, some are stressful, and some are downright humiliating. The variety of experiences do sha...more
Whenever a person travels to a new place, it makes for palpable memories. I felt I was able to experience Paris vicariously through these authors' short stories, and I could sense their alertness and sensitivity towards their environment. Many of the writers were foreigners (Americans) who lived in Paris for an extended amount of time to absorb and observe its tastes, its sounds, and its mannerisms.
Book 1 for class. Provocative collection of 32 memoirs/reminiscences/reflections on an American person in Paris. Plenty of patterns (French perfection, living in the moment, the way women wear scarves, the perhaps harsh schooling and discipline of children, a city without thresholds, insolence vs. friendliness, etc.) and individual voices raised a sort of loose guide to what we are to read later.
I enjoy any book that's going to give you the highs and lows of a city. Paris is beautiful and one of those cities we romanticize. The first time I heard a friend say that her semester there was lonely and depressing, I thought she fell on her head. But if you read some of these essays, you realize the obvious which is that your travel is just as affected by you as you are by it.
This is a book I wished I owned. Alas, it's a library loan. This book is a series of reflective essays from different authors about their experience in Paris. It's fun to read the different styles of writing and their view from their window of Paris. However, it's a bit of a dry read.
It's one of those books I wish I owned so I could pick it up from time-to-time and read an essay or two. It's not one of those sit-down-and-read-through books, at least not for me. I didn't finish the book through...more
It's one of those books I wish I owned so I could pick it up from time-to-time and read an essay or two. It's not one of those sit-down-and-read-through books, at least not for me. I didn't finish the book through...more
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I was sucked in by the very first essay- Veronique Vienne's "L'Argent is No Object" for its dissection of money, cultural differences, and for her writing style. As I moved through the other essays, some I loved and some were quite boring to me. The pieces that described cultural differences were the most interesting and engrossing to me, and the ones that were more indulgent tales of gap years or writing in cafes were harder to get through. There's a great, short, David Sedaris essay called "th...more
This is a book of essays about Paris by various writers. I picked it up b/c I was familiar with a few of them (David Leibowitz and one other I've already forgotten). I read those two and didn't read any others, not for any particular reason other than I prefer novels or more in depth memoirs. Both were good; I'm sure the majority of them were good.
Preparing for Paris. Wonderful view of 32 authors perspective of their life in Paris. Learned a lot about the culture, whats acceptable socially, etc...Warned my children that the grass in some of the gardens are not for playing or walking on. If they broke the rules, then be prepared to be smacked by a Parisian : /
Aug 26, 2011
Susan
added it
Excellent read! If you have been to Paris and always wondered what it woudl be like to just move there one day, this will answer your questions of what that woudl be like. A collection of short stories, all the writers ( some familiar and famous) have moved to Paris for a time and relay their love affair with the city.
Este libro es un rompecabezas... Piezas de pensamientos, memorias, amores, rencores y muertes. Fue un poco como ver París, te amo, pero con letras. Un libro para mujeres hormonales, cursis que aman los cupcake de queso crema... O sea, no es que yo sea eso, pero ... A eso me remite. Esto es como ver televisión ...
"Meh." This is mostly how I felt during the time it took me to read this book. It was choppy and the short stories didn't provide enough background to give enough significance. They were snapshots of a certain time in a certain person's life, but it felt like that snapshot was only a quarter developed.
A very pleasant, well-edited and, in many ways, beautiful evocation of the City of Light. Paris is a difficult friend to have, diffident, contemptuous, dismissive. Yet she is gorgeous and can be so delightful. For anyone who has loved her despite (or because of) her faults, this is a fine book.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Each essay, whether I could identify with the writer or not, led me to either discover something new or remember something special about the city. Paris feels so close when reading this book-- as if you could reach out and touch it, or were going soon for a visit-- tomorrow or next week. Just sit back and. Enjoy....
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I was born in London and raised there and in New York City. Two parents of two nationalities on two continents -- you get the idea. Naturally, I escaped (recurrently) to France.... Paris, to be exact. Which is the actual subject of my latest book -- Paris Was Ours: 32 Writers Reflect on the City of Light -- a collection of memoirs about the transformative effect of living in the French capital tha...more
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