What do you think?
Rate this book
Do Not Go Gentle. Go to Paris.: Travels of an Uncertain Woman of a Certain Age
Rattled by fears that she is losing her keys, her looks, her job, and her sweetheart, Gail, 62, rashly announces that she will go to Paris, a dream postponed for 40 years. So begins the journey through France of an optimistic, infinitely curious, 62-year-old woman, who seeks to ransom her self-confidence and learn how to age. Deftly weaving scenic description with sketches of feisty Frenchwomen and flashbacks of older women she has admired, Gail draws wisdom from people and places that have gracefully endured the passing years. By the time she reaches the Mediterranean village that once existed only on her calendar, she feels revitalized. Her refreshed self-concept takes a hit, however, when her beloved proves fickle and a train strike maroons her on the edge of the sea. By the end of her journey, Gail recognizes the joie de vivre beneath the wrinkles of bygone beauty in French women. Now she awakens to her own joy of living and finds that it has no expiration date.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2019
180 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
January 29, 2020
Gail Schilling has written a gem that will warm your heart, make you laugh, and keep you wanting more of her adventures to read. An intrepid solo traveler, Gail ventures out of her comfort zone and travels to France where she embraces strangers who become friends, manages to communicate without being fluent in French, problem-solves travel setbacks, and falls in love with a country where she has dreamed of visiting for forty years. Each village she visits, each cathedral she explores, and every day she experiences come alive through her vivid descriptions and sensory details. Her courage inspires courage in her readers who, after reading this delightful travel tale, will find courage in themselves to live their dreams, to take risks, and to have a fabulous time doing so. I am grateful to having read this lovely book, and I will remember her wit, wise commentary, and optimism for a long time. Here's hoping for a next book to take me on another adventure. Cathy Eaton
November 14, 2019
Gail Thorell Schilling manages to tuck a lifetime of dreams, hopes, humor and heartbreak into this small, but surprising suitcase of a memoir. Within the tidy space of an account of her monthlong visit to France, Schilling transforms each precious day of that trip into a journey of self discovery and growth. Her story is both compelling and eminently readable. While the facts are autobiographical, the story is universal, and her beautiful prose illuminates even the smallest details, which become like gold filigree in a wonderfully wrought tapestry. This book is definitely worth a read!
January 18, 2022
I enjoyed this, perhaps more than some would,just because I love Paris (and France in general), and am of “a certain age” myself. A very pleasant read for me. And I will try to remember that “True beauty, it seems, is less about how we see our appearance and more about how we feel about it.”
January 3, 2021
With the pandemic, the only travel to Paris has to be mental travel and dreams and this was the perfect book to read to kick-start plans to travel to Paris on a solo trip. This has long been one of my dreams but I felt like I was too old to take a trip like this -- Gail has convinced me that age shouldn't stop you -- all you need is an adventuresome spirit and curiosity about other people and places. This book is much more than a simple travel book - though it does give a lot of travel tips. It's a book that reflects on aging, family, love and feeling good about yourself. It was the perfect book to read and take a mental vacation all by myself.
November 1, 2019
This is a delightful book for women “of a certain age”. When the children are grown, and it is time to retire, what is important to you? How do you redefine yourself? How do you challenge yourself (and have the confidence to do so) and live your best life? These are some of the topics that Gail takes on as challenges in her memoir. To read Gail’s book is to be like sitting down with your friend for coffee. You will gain some insights reading Gail’s journey, as Gail did in completing the journey. A truly delightful book that is not to be missed.
February 8, 2020
It could have been so much better. Even though she is visiting France for the first time, she says she doesn’t want to be a tourist as if there’s something wrong with that and as if she’s not one. Lots of obvious metaphors about doors and locks, plenty of breezes that ruffle her hair, and some toe curling descriptions of herself as a competent dreamer etc. And “Oh, if those stones could speak!” about an old church. Seriously.
If she had stuck to her adventures with less self absorption it would have been good. My editorial red pen was itching.
If she had stuck to her adventures with less self absorption it would have been good. My editorial red pen was itching.
February 9, 2020
I enjoyed the book on so many levels. The author shares her hopes and anxieties about her travels and tells wonderful stories about the people and world she encounters each day. Sights and sounds take her on side trips into her past as she analyzes the life decisions she made along the way. With humor and keen insight she shares her realization that this next stage in life doesn’t have to be a repeat of the past. Highly recommend.
December 20, 2021
Read and be Inspired
This is so much more than a travelling memoir. Go Gently to Paris is written to allow the reader to think and follow the author's introspective, courage gathering, dream. She has given me, her senior by 20 years, permission to be me , on my terms, to explore my world with a sense of adventure. And to enjoy being old. All "women of a certain age" should read this book.
This is so much more than a travelling memoir. Go Gently to Paris is written to allow the reader to think and follow the author's introspective, courage gathering, dream. She has given me, her senior by 20 years, permission to be me , on my terms, to explore my world with a sense of adventure. And to enjoy being old. All "women of a certain age" should read this book.
October 24, 2019
A beautifully written memoir.
February 3, 2020
Not for someone who has traveled or lived abroad.
February 16, 2023
Got bored halfway thru, skimmed to end. Skip it. Not worth it. 😕
August 19, 2020
A Woman's Journey
The book starts off very interesting but somewhere along the way the plot becomes a series of mundane events. It had the potential to be an insightful book about a woman's journey into discovering her true self, but fails to keep up the momentum. Some very good parts in the book to be read.
The book starts off very interesting but somewhere along the way the plot becomes a series of mundane events. It had the potential to be an insightful book about a woman's journey into discovering her true self, but fails to keep up the momentum. Some very good parts in the book to be read.
March 28, 2020
Solo travel
What a wonderful book about a solo travel to France. I found the book enjoyable, tips for budget travel, and living in the moment. What a great way to enjoy exploring places you want to see. Thanks to the writer.
What a wonderful book about a solo travel to France. I found the book enjoyable, tips for budget travel, and living in the moment. What a great way to enjoy exploring places you want to see. Thanks to the writer.
November 4, 2019
Loved this book.
Certainly recommend this book. Women of a certain age. Enjoy life . Good, easy read. Loved it. Put on your reas list
Certainly recommend this book. Women of a certain age. Enjoy life . Good, easy read. Loved it. Put on your reas list
January 31, 2025
As I came towards the end of this book, I found myself slowing down because I didn’t want to end my travels with Gail. I loved her perspective often written at the end of each chapter, her honesty and the encouragement she gave me to continue to bloom after 60.
December 1, 2023
Books about Paris and France are always a great idea. This memoir was a pleasant read on the author’s travels, the aging process, beauty, and the women she has met along her life’s path. The parts about France are my favorite. I was there was more Paris though. I also really like the following quote from near the end of the book: “There is no statute on joie de vivre.”
May 23, 2020
Enjoyed the writing, reflections and the travelogue
Being a francophil myself, I assumed I would enjoy this book. It delivered much more however. I felt like I was a traveling companion to Gail and learned some tips about travel in France that I hope to use someday when I fulfill my dream of a month in Paris. One of my favorite sayings is "don't postpone joy". So glad Gail didn't, and thank her for sharing it with us.
Being a francophil myself, I assumed I would enjoy this book. It delivered much more however. I felt like I was a traveling companion to Gail and learned some tips about travel in France that I hope to use someday when I fulfill my dream of a month in Paris. One of my favorite sayings is "don't postpone joy". So glad Gail didn't, and thank her for sharing it with us.
July 29, 2020
Wise, whimsical, and wonderful!
Being that woman of a certain age who has traveled both alone and with family and friends many times to France, I enjoyed this book immensely. It brought back my own memories of being in almost every place that she visited. And certainly her life journey is similar to my own. I too have given up that notion that happiness lies in romantic relationships. It can be found in adventure, trusting yourself, and pushing out your own boundaries.
Being that woman of a certain age who has traveled both alone and with family and friends many times to France, I enjoyed this book immensely. It brought back my own memories of being in almost every place that she visited. And certainly her life journey is similar to my own. I too have given up that notion that happiness lies in romantic relationships. It can be found in adventure, trusting yourself, and pushing out your own boundaries.
September 28, 2020
C'est moi
J'ai 61 ans. En 2018, mom mari et moi visitons Provence (Avignon, Arles, Aix, Antibe, et Nice). Je ne parles pas tres bien me francais, mai je peux parler et lire or mieux. I forget verb conjugation. With Google Translate it is too easy to type the English to translate into French. I am from Boston too. I enjoyed your insights and descriptions immensely. Merci.
J'ai 61 ans. En 2018, mom mari et moi visitons Provence (Avignon, Arles, Aix, Antibe, et Nice). Je ne parles pas tres bien me francais, mai je peux parler et lire or mieux. I forget verb conjugation. With Google Translate it is too easy to type the English to translate into French. I am from Boston too. I enjoyed your insights and descriptions immensely. Merci.
August 26, 2020
More of an emotional tourist trip than view of living in France for a month. This journey for the author truly presents her life-long quest for a pilgrimage in France; factually written and poorly edited (i.e., self-published). On the other hand, kudos to her, and her son, for making the trip possible.
March 2, 2021
Not really about Paris at all
The woman at the center of the book hasn't travelled much so makes some mistakes, including over scheduling her trip so it seems she spends more time getting from place to place than being in that place.Some of the essays are good but really most are not. If you want a book about Paris, this isn't it.
The woman at the center of the book hasn't travelled much so makes some mistakes, including over scheduling her trip so it seems she spends more time getting from place to place than being in that place.Some of the essays are good but really most are not. If you want a book about Paris, this isn't it.
August 21, 2020
I bought this for my mom, who is a lifelong Francophile. She really enjoyed it, said it reminded her of her trips to Paris. A good book (but might be less appreciated by younger readers).
July 8, 2021
Look in the mirror
Beautifully written, relatable, entertaining and yet makes you look at yourself and find the woman more that skin deep. Loved it.
Beautifully written, relatable, entertaining and yet makes you look at yourself and find the woman more that skin deep. Loved it.
June 16, 2023
I love the premise of this book, because I am a little beyond a certain age and it's been my dream to live in Paris for at least several months. Life and responsibilities got in the way. I was hoping for a little dreaming of what might have been. I was disappointed in several things. First, it really was not about Paris but about other places in France. That's fine but it doesn't live up to the title. Second, I think the writing was not first rate. It was OK, but I expected more from a writing teacher. I've read similar writings of similar fulfillment of dreams, and frankly, the self-discovery was a disappointment. Perhaps because I have never been able to fulfill my dreams, my expectations of what I could discover about myself and life just set too high a bar.
July 4, 2023
This was an endearing tale of hope and patience and resourcefulness, a good and engaging read for anyone aging who doesn't want to face regrets and has the courage to create adventures.
The story was thoughtfully crafted and carefully written. My editorial eye spotted only a few glitches.
My only quibble, and it is truly a minor one, is with a couple of French phrases that the author clearly did not understand or translate properly (e.g., no SNCF conductor would likely tell a customer "poussez votre billet." What he no doubt said was "compostez votre billet."). An editor should have caught those, but most readers probably won't have noticed, and it's a petty criticism.
It's an inspirational book for anyone seeking to fulfill a long-held dream.
The story was thoughtfully crafted and carefully written. My editorial eye spotted only a few glitches.
My only quibble, and it is truly a minor one, is with a couple of French phrases that the author clearly did not understand or translate properly (e.g., no SNCF conductor would likely tell a customer "poussez votre billet." What he no doubt said was "compostez votre billet."). An editor should have caught those, but most readers probably won't have noticed, and it's a petty criticism.
It's an inspirational book for anyone seeking to fulfill a long-held dream.
May 11, 2020
Guide to finding yourself at 60
Part travels
This travelogue had me flipping to my online maps as I traced her pilgrimage to regain her balance in her third semester of her life. I loved the quotes that set the tone for each chapter and which led to Gail's philosophical musings on her life. I was tempted to take notes of her newfound kernels of wisdom to help me understand my own voyage into what I like to think of as early elderhood.
Part travels
This travelogue had me flipping to my online maps as I traced her pilgrimage to regain her balance in her third semester of her life. I loved the quotes that set the tone for each chapter and which led to Gail's philosophical musings on her life. I was tempted to take notes of her newfound kernels of wisdom to help me understand my own voyage into what I like to think of as early elderhood.
March 14, 2022
Thoroughly Enjoyed this book
I’ve enjoyed reading about women of a certain age who step out of their comfort zones to wonderful adventures. Miss Gail does not disappoint.
Her descriptions of everything she saw, heard, and felt quickly pulled me into her adventures.
I was sad to finish the book and would certainly recommend it to anyone seeking adventure, even if only on the pages of a book.
I’ve enjoyed reading about women of a certain age who step out of their comfort zones to wonderful adventures. Miss Gail does not disappoint.
Her descriptions of everything she saw, heard, and felt quickly pulled me into her adventures.
I was sad to finish the book and would certainly recommend it to anyone seeking adventure, even if only on the pages of a book.
July 6, 2022
What an uplifting and inspiring read! The author delivers detailed descriptions of the places and the people she met on her journey.
What I enjoyed even more were the bits of wisdom that she threaded through this tale. There was also enough subtle humor along the way that brought a smile as I read along. Wisdom and humor were both part of her inner journey that she shared with the reader.
I highly recommend this book.
MWN
What I enjoyed even more were the bits of wisdom that she threaded through this tale. There was also enough subtle humor along the way that brought a smile as I read along. Wisdom and humor were both part of her inner journey that she shared with the reader.
I highly recommend this book.
MWN
May 7, 2024
Audiobook: I gave up about 50% in. FORTY-FIVE minutes before leaving for the airport, she runs to the bank to exchange dollars to Euros and is told she needed to do that 2 days ago…then she forgets the key to the home she’ll be visiting in France. Omg, she’s been planning this trip for decades and she acts like a complete idiot. Plus, despite the title, it takes half the book before she gets to Paris. Disappointing book.
May 16, 2020
Exploring doors
Enjoyable story of a 60-something female traveler in France. I've been reading stories based in Europe while staying home on covid19 lockdown. What captivated me was the author's analogy between door styles and functions in an unfamiliar culture to our life choices and decisions.
Enjoyable story of a 60-something female traveler in France. I've been reading stories based in Europe while staying home on covid19 lockdown. What captivated me was the author's analogy between door styles and functions in an unfamiliar culture to our life choices and decisions.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews