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Balandis Paryžiuje
Paryžius, meilės istorija, nuožmi Antrojo pasaulinio karo scenografija. Prancūzijos sostinę užima nacistinės Vokietijos kariuomenė, Paryžiaus gyventojai ima kvėpuoti karo ritmu. Tačiau po istoriniu šydu slypi asmeninės žmonių dramos, peržengiančios karo brėžiamas demarkacines linijas.
Įtampa tarp okupantų ir okupacijos rezistentų akimirksniu gali pavirsti tampriu meilės ryšiu. Tačiau ar dviejų žmonių istorija pajėgi perrašyti žmonijos istoriją?
Įtampa tarp okupantų ir okupacijos rezistentų akimirksniu gali pavirsti tampriu meilės ryšiu. Tačiau ar dviejų žmonių istorija pajėgi perrašyti žmonijos istoriją?
173 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
81 people are currently reading
2115 people want to read
About the author
Michael Wallner
38 books15 followersMichael Wallner is an Austrian actor and screenwriter. He was born 1958 in Graz. He divides his time between Berlin and the Black Forest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
December 19, 2022
April In Paris takes place in occupied Paris during WWII. Refreshingly,the main character is a young German nazi functioning as the French translater for the Gestapo. As an outlet to his grim,horrifying work observing prisoner torture, on his off hours he dresses as a typical Frenchman and wanders about Paris. During those walks, he feels mostly human and pleased to unobtrusively blend into the city. He encounters a French woman who captivates his imaginations. She is part of the underground Resistance skirmishing with the loathed German occupiers. The attraction between the two keeps the story humming along.
This book is wonderfully translated from German. The danger never let's down as the story twists and winds about the war ravaged 1940's.
This book is wonderfully translated from German. The danger never let's down as the story twists and winds about the war ravaged 1940's.
August 4, 2007
Written in a mature style, a quick read but very deep and thought provoking. It portrays mixed identities as true identities and shows sides of people we don't consider very often.
May 13, 2021
Really good! I would re-read this some day.
September 22, 2014
Audiobook performed by Paul Michael
Roth is a young German army corporal, assigned to Gestapo headquarters in occupied Paris so that he can use his flawless French as an interpreter during interrogations. He’s disturbed by the torture he witnesses, but fulfills his duty as a soldier, accurately translating the words if not the emotions expressed. When not on duty, however, he slips away from his hotel billet, dons civilian clothes and walks the streets of Paris disguised as the Frenchman, Antoine. Being out of uniform, by itself, is a punishable offense, but he crosses the line when he falls for Chantal, the daughter of a bookseller. He does not reveal his true identity to her, and she hides her allegiance to the Resistance.
The reader knows that this star-crossed relationship is bound to end badly, but the way in which Wallner reveals the story kept me in a delirious state of suspense. Make no mistake; this is NOT a hearts-and-flowers romantic escapade, but a gritty and serious novel full of hardship and heartache. There are hints that they’ve been found out, but then they are free to meet. There are several close calls when I was sure that one or the other would be captured and/or killed. Because Roth works for the Gestapo he witnesses and knows the interrogation techniques employed, yet he seems not to remember those ploys when it’s most important. I found myself yelling at the CD player, “It’s a trick!” more than once … and sometimes I was right.
I love how Wallner develops Roth from a naïve, apolitical young man away from home, to a wily, cautious and determined man. He may be beaten but he is not down. On the other hand, I was disappointed in how little he developed the women in this story – Chantal and Anna Rieleck-Sostman (a German woman who runs the Gestapo captain’s office). Despite this, however, I think the book merits five stars; I was captivated from beginning to end and will be talking about it for weeks or months, I’m sure.
Paul Michael does a fine job narrating the audiobook. I don’t speak French but his French sounded pretty good to me. I was glad I had the text handy, however, because I needed to see the written words to puzzle out the French phrases. His pacing was good and he was able to differentiate the characters sufficiently.
Roth is a young German army corporal, assigned to Gestapo headquarters in occupied Paris so that he can use his flawless French as an interpreter during interrogations. He’s disturbed by the torture he witnesses, but fulfills his duty as a soldier, accurately translating the words if not the emotions expressed. When not on duty, however, he slips away from his hotel billet, dons civilian clothes and walks the streets of Paris disguised as the Frenchman, Antoine. Being out of uniform, by itself, is a punishable offense, but he crosses the line when he falls for Chantal, the daughter of a bookseller. He does not reveal his true identity to her, and she hides her allegiance to the Resistance.
The reader knows that this star-crossed relationship is bound to end badly, but the way in which Wallner reveals the story kept me in a delirious state of suspense. Make no mistake; this is NOT a hearts-and-flowers romantic escapade, but a gritty and serious novel full of hardship and heartache. There are hints that they’ve been found out, but then they are free to meet. There are several close calls when I was sure that one or the other would be captured and/or killed. Because Roth works for the Gestapo he witnesses and knows the interrogation techniques employed, yet he seems not to remember those ploys when it’s most important. I found myself yelling at the CD player, “It’s a trick!” more than once … and sometimes I was right.
I love how Wallner develops Roth from a naïve, apolitical young man away from home, to a wily, cautious and determined man. He may be beaten but he is not down. On the other hand, I was disappointed in how little he developed the women in this story – Chantal and Anna Rieleck-Sostman (a German woman who runs the Gestapo captain’s office). Despite this, however, I think the book merits five stars; I was captivated from beginning to end and will be talking about it for weeks or months, I’m sure.
Paul Michael does a fine job narrating the audiobook. I don’t speak French but his French sounded pretty good to me. I was glad I had the text handy, however, because I needed to see the written words to puzzle out the French phrases. His pacing was good and he was able to differentiate the characters sufficiently.
June 3, 2015
I read it some years ago, and remember that I enjoyed it.
I have it as paperback on my real shelf.
April 9, 2020
Aprilie în Paris nu este o carte pe care decât o citești, este o carte pe care o trăiești. Povestea este interesantă, subiectul este captivant, iar scriitura bună. Deși cartea e încadrată la romane de dragoste, mie mi s-a părut un fel de lecție de istorie, spusă diferit.
Roth este un traducător neamț, care asistă la interogatorii și torturi. Din dorința de a-și sterge acele imagini îngrozitoare din minte, în fiecare seară dupa serviciu, își schimbă uniforma cu haine civile și iese la plimbare prin Paris. Își asumă o identitate falsă cu care se obișnuiește foarte repede. Așa ajunge el -un neamț, în plină ocupație nazistă a Parisului, să se îndrăgosteasca de o franțuzoaică.
Din acel moment lucrurile iau o turnură dificilă, pentru că își riscă serviciul și viața doar pentru a fi cu ea și a o salva din calea Gestapoului. Indiferent de lucrurile care i se întâmplă, gândul că va fi din nou cu ea, îl tine in viață. De fapt, a privit asta ca pe singurul său țel. Chiar și când se îndoia că ea ar mai fi în viață, tot avea un dram de speranță că o va revedea. Lucrul asta mi-a plăcut.
Este un personaj simplu și empatic, care transmite.
Cartea e frumoasă și fără acel final minunat la care am sperat. Este precum o rază de soare... va fi bine, chiar dacă acum nu e!
Titlul cărții este foarte interesant, vine de la o melodie pe care personajul principal o fredonează adesea, pentru că ii amintea de Chantal.
Roth si Chantal au putine momente împreună, dar parcă le simți emoțiile și trăirile în fiecare cuvânt.
Mă gândesc oare câte astfel de idile s-au născut în timpul războiului? Câți oameni n-au putut fi împreună din cauza unor lucruri absurde? Și mă întreb... câte vieti au fost irosite?
Multe... prea multe.
O carte emoționantă despre iubire, sacrificiu, putere, încredere, trădare, dar mai ales despre oameni.
4 stele. Merită să îi acordați o șansă.
Roth este un traducător neamț, care asistă la interogatorii și torturi. Din dorința de a-și sterge acele imagini îngrozitoare din minte, în fiecare seară dupa serviciu, își schimbă uniforma cu haine civile și iese la plimbare prin Paris. Își asumă o identitate falsă cu care se obișnuiește foarte repede. Așa ajunge el -un neamț, în plină ocupație nazistă a Parisului, să se îndrăgosteasca de o franțuzoaică.
Din acel moment lucrurile iau o turnură dificilă, pentru că își riscă serviciul și viața doar pentru a fi cu ea și a o salva din calea Gestapoului. Indiferent de lucrurile care i se întâmplă, gândul că va fi din nou cu ea, îl tine in viață. De fapt, a privit asta ca pe singurul său țel. Chiar și când se îndoia că ea ar mai fi în viață, tot avea un dram de speranță că o va revedea. Lucrul asta mi-a plăcut.
Este un personaj simplu și empatic, care transmite.
Cartea e frumoasă și fără acel final minunat la care am sperat. Este precum o rază de soare... va fi bine, chiar dacă acum nu e!
Titlul cărții este foarte interesant, vine de la o melodie pe care personajul principal o fredonează adesea, pentru că ii amintea de Chantal.
Roth si Chantal au putine momente împreună, dar parcă le simți emoțiile și trăirile în fiecare cuvânt.
Mă gândesc oare câte astfel de idile s-au născut în timpul războiului? Câți oameni n-au putut fi împreună din cauza unor lucruri absurde? Și mă întreb... câte vieti au fost irosite?
Multe... prea multe.
O carte emoționantă despre iubire, sacrificiu, putere, încredere, trădare, dar mai ales despre oameni.
4 stele. Merită să îi acordați o șansă.
December 31, 2010
Not very challenging or thought provoking, but entertaining. Entertaining in an improbable made-for-Hollywood love/war story kind of way without the cheesy ending. Think Pearl Harbor with Ben Affleck. The writing was slightly confusing and there was one short chapter (I can't remember which) that seemed disjointed. The protagonist is described vaguely and just didn't seem fleshed out-for lack of a better term. I also had a problem with the idea that his French resistance love interest, Chantel, showed absolutely no interest in him (a known enemy/Nazi pig) and then bang! Her clothes are off and she's on top of him. WTF? No love story here, but something out of porn-a-topia instead -and the name Chantel didn't help either.
December 6, 2017
Onvan : April in Paris - Nevisande : Michael Wallner - ISBN : 385519141 - ISBN13 : 9780385519144 - Dar 248 Safhe - Saal e Chap : 2006
February 10, 2013
A short, quick read of historical fiction that takes place in Occupied France during WWII. The main character, Roth, is a German SS soldier who speaks perfect French and is assigned to work for the Gestapo as a translator during interrogations of captured French Resistance fighters. As fate would have it, Roth meets the woman of his dreams but she is the daughter of a French bookshop owner and he keeps his identity as a German soldier a secret from her. Already leading a dangerous double life to pursue his relationship, he is unaware that he is involved with a key member of the French Resistance.
In Michael Wallner's debut novel, the plot is somewhat predictable and formulaic, but it is nonetheless a good storyline that moves along with a brisk pace and really becomes more engrossing during the second half of the novel. There was a lot of detail in the description of historical events and political climate which helped drive the story in areas where overall character development was a bit lacking. It seems evident that Mr. Wallner has done extensive research on the subject material and shows great promise as an historical fiction writer.
Though I haven't read Wallner's second novel,
, it is set during the Cold War in Moscow and sounds interesting.
In Michael Wallner's debut novel, the plot is somewhat predictable and formulaic, but it is nonetheless a good storyline that moves along with a brisk pace and really becomes more engrossing during the second half of the novel. There was a lot of detail in the description of historical events and political climate which helped drive the story in areas where overall character development was a bit lacking. It seems evident that Mr. Wallner has done extensive research on the subject material and shows great promise as an historical fiction writer.
Though I haven't read Wallner's second novel,
, it is set during the Cold War in Moscow and sounds interesting. 
June 21, 2011
Certainly, there have been a vast number of books on this subject, both fiction and nonfiction. Honestly, because it is a heart breaking subject, I have often avoided novels of this type. My interest was piqued in this case because April In Paris is written from a German point of view sympathetic to the Resistance.
It perhaps long overdue for the world to reexamine the events of WWII in light of the fact that every German soldier was not a devout Nazi. Still, books and films that take this approach remain, for me at least, difficult to access. I seem to feel, however irrationally, that they are untrustworthy, as if they are somehow alive and could turn on me. And I dread trying explain to anyone how I'm reading a book about how Nazi soldiers weren't really so bad after all.
I think it is an interesting and somewhat troubling cultural fact that someone like me, born 30 years after the end of WWII, could still feel so conflicted over a book like April In Paris. Perhaps the real value of this book is that by reading it, I have discovered something about myself as well as something about the world.
It perhaps long overdue for the world to reexamine the events of WWII in light of the fact that every German soldier was not a devout Nazi. Still, books and films that take this approach remain, for me at least, difficult to access. I seem to feel, however irrationally, that they are untrustworthy, as if they are somehow alive and could turn on me. And I dread trying explain to anyone how I'm reading a book about how Nazi soldiers weren't really so bad after all.
I think it is an interesting and somewhat troubling cultural fact that someone like me, born 30 years after the end of WWII, could still feel so conflicted over a book like April In Paris. Perhaps the real value of this book is that by reading it, I have discovered something about myself as well as something about the world.
February 17, 2009
I suppose the message of this book could be about "being yourself"--but that doesn't work out too well for the Nazi corporal in this novel. (The Nazis tended to frown on that kind of thing...)
I suppose it could be that life is short and we should enjoy it. That might tend to explain why said corporal appears to sleep with whoever provides the invitation. He's in a city he doesn't really belong to, working for people he doesn't really respect, doing a job he can't stomach. He's trying to "find himself" and we're along for the ride.
However, through most of the book, I felt like I was missing something, some details or conversations that happened elsewhere that would have explained a few things, but were left out. It would have been nice to read them.
I felt as if the author were trying to make a big bang out of the ending--but it fell flat.
I suppose it could be that life is short and we should enjoy it. That might tend to explain why said corporal appears to sleep with whoever provides the invitation. He's in a city he doesn't really belong to, working for people he doesn't really respect, doing a job he can't stomach. He's trying to "find himself" and we're along for the ride.
However, through most of the book, I felt like I was missing something, some details or conversations that happened elsewhere that would have explained a few things, but were left out. It would have been nice to read them.
I felt as if the author were trying to make a big bang out of the ending--but it fell flat.
March 13, 2009
Corporal Roth is a translator for the Gestapo in World War II era France. During the day, he translates confessions obtained from prisoners who are being tortured. To escape this extremely depressing assignment, he dresses in civilian clothes at night and blends in with the French citizens. He meets Chantal and falls in love with her. But she is a member of the French resistance, and their liaison doesn't go unnoticed. In a cat and mouse scenario, the lovers attempt to escape their fate.
October 29, 2023
Probably would have been entertaining if I’d read it when I’d bought it, as a teenager. As an adult, this book had little to recommend it. I can’t imagine what compelled an adult German male to write a Nazi romance novel, let alone the questionable choice to write it FROM A NAZI’S PERSPECTIVE… ‘let’s write sympathetic nazi characters and try to make readers empathise with someone who is literally watching torture as his job’ … yeah, really not a good look.
The idea that this was a romance novel was laughable. All I read was a creepy story about a Nazi stalking a woman and getting her killed. The descriptions of female characters were so clearly written by a man (it makes me wonder who he thinks the readers of romance novels are?)… crass descriptions of women in terms of their body parts, zero character development (esp of women), all the women are prostitutes and the men (even the romantic lead!) are constantly sleeping around and going to whorehouses… even when ostensibly in the midst of a ‘romance’. It was more smut than romance but failed to even go all the way in that respect (presumably because it’s aimed at teens).
The Nazi was so deadpan and unreflective about his complicity (except to be grossed out by stuff he sees), and his ‘love’ comes out of nowhere, without even a conversation with the woman, just purely based on looks… and then we’re supposed to believe he’s ready to die for her? Hard to believe they bothered translating this book into English.
The idea that this was a romance novel was laughable. All I read was a creepy story about a Nazi stalking a woman and getting her killed. The descriptions of female characters were so clearly written by a man (it makes me wonder who he thinks the readers of romance novels are?)… crass descriptions of women in terms of their body parts, zero character development (esp of women), all the women are prostitutes and the men (even the romantic lead!) are constantly sleeping around and going to whorehouses… even when ostensibly in the midst of a ‘romance’. It was more smut than romance but failed to even go all the way in that respect (presumably because it’s aimed at teens).
The Nazi was so deadpan and unreflective about his complicity (except to be grossed out by stuff he sees), and his ‘love’ comes out of nowhere, without even a conversation with the woman, just purely based on looks… and then we’re supposed to believe he’s ready to die for her? Hard to believe they bothered translating this book into English.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2023
abgebrochen auf Seite 149
April 26, 2021
First read circa 2013, came back to it 8 years later and it's as if I've lived the story firsthand. It's the kind of book one usually comes back to.
"Avril prochain, je reviens."
"Avril prochain, je reviens."
June 7, 2020
Corporal Roth, a German soldier, is given marching orders to work in Paris as a translator in a Gestapo interrogation room. During his free time, he comes up with a verbotener plan to dress as a native Frenchman and wander through the streets of Paris. He names himself Antoine, whereupon he soon falls in love with Chantal, a book dealer's daughter and a member of the French Resistance.
At first glance, I grew restless - and often angry - with Corporal Roth because he is relentlessly shallow, without the expected dimension of a character trapped in harrowing circumstances. However, it is impossible not be drawn into the story as our protagonist navigates both contradictory worlds. I later came to understand that this lack of character depth might have been the intent of first-time novelist and scriptwriter Michael Wallner. He is, after all, writing about a shell-shocked young soldier without much insight into his inner or outer world, looking for a way to cope with the situation.
Corporal Roth takes an incredible risk to escape reality. His assignment, which involves witnessing the torture of French suspects behind closed doors, is at great odds with his job of fluently speaking their language. As he follows the Seine, he is sleepwalking at the edge of the abyss and should be facing a great moral dilemma, but he is too numb to look down into its depths. We do not witness him struggle with much of anything. As "good soldiers" must do, he blindly approaches the horror with only part of himself because he otherwise could not get the job done. It is only later that the character begins to unravel, as his courageous yet foolish retreat into illusion becomes all too real. If the stars align, this book has great potential as a TV movie.
At first glance, I grew restless - and often angry - with Corporal Roth because he is relentlessly shallow, without the expected dimension of a character trapped in harrowing circumstances. However, it is impossible not be drawn into the story as our protagonist navigates both contradictory worlds. I later came to understand that this lack of character depth might have been the intent of first-time novelist and scriptwriter Michael Wallner. He is, after all, writing about a shell-shocked young soldier without much insight into his inner or outer world, looking for a way to cope with the situation.
Corporal Roth takes an incredible risk to escape reality. His assignment, which involves witnessing the torture of French suspects behind closed doors, is at great odds with his job of fluently speaking their language. As he follows the Seine, he is sleepwalking at the edge of the abyss and should be facing a great moral dilemma, but he is too numb to look down into its depths. We do not witness him struggle with much of anything. As "good soldiers" must do, he blindly approaches the horror with only part of himself because he otherwise could not get the job done. It is only later that the character begins to unravel, as his courageous yet foolish retreat into illusion becomes all too real. If the stars align, this book has great potential as a TV movie.
November 23, 2012
It is the middle of WWII in occupied France. Michel Roth is really lucky that his skills as a translator have landed him a job in Gestapo headquarters in Paris instead of at the front. He is the quiet sort who likes to stay just under the 'radar' . Michel has some friends among the staff but he is a bit of a loner ... when he decides he would like to explore this beautiful city. He knows that if he strolls about in his military uniform he will be shunned by the Parisians, so he works on a plan.
He hides civilian clothes in a laundry bag, finds a deserted building where he can change and become Antoine....just a visitor to Paris . Since his language skills are good , he assumes he can pass as French. He finds a bookstore to explore and gets a glimpse of a beautiful young woman whose name he discovers his Chantal. And now Michel knows he is going to be caught between two worlds.
Michel is totally fascinated by Chantal and he will use his native disguise to explore Paris and see if he can find his mystery woman. These are perilous times and Michel knows he can be caught in difficult situations. If he is caught by the French Resistance , he will be killed as a spy and if he is caught by his fellow Germans, he can be declared a traitor.....and killed.
Author Wallner captures the nuances of Paris during WW II . If you know your history you know that the invasion of France is literally just months away. And it is easy to be caught up in this tale of romance in the midst of some horrible history. It is a scary and yet charming story that you will enjoy.
He hides civilian clothes in a laundry bag, finds a deserted building where he can change and become Antoine....just a visitor to Paris . Since his language skills are good , he assumes he can pass as French. He finds a bookstore to explore and gets a glimpse of a beautiful young woman whose name he discovers his Chantal. And now Michel knows he is going to be caught between two worlds.
Michel is totally fascinated by Chantal and he will use his native disguise to explore Paris and see if he can find his mystery woman. These are perilous times and Michel knows he can be caught in difficult situations. If he is caught by the French Resistance , he will be killed as a spy and if he is caught by his fellow Germans, he can be declared a traitor.....and killed.
Author Wallner captures the nuances of Paris during WW II . If you know your history you know that the invasion of France is literally just months away. And it is easy to be caught up in this tale of romance in the midst of some horrible history. It is a scary and yet charming story that you will enjoy.
January 9, 2018
Intreccio notevole, rovinato da uno svolgimento traballante e un finale pasticciato.
Roth, traduttore della Wermacht a Parigi, è precettato dalle SS. Non si sente un invasore e vorrebbe vivere Parigi da uomo comune, per questo si veste in borghese "parigino" e se ne va in giro. Nota una ragazza che legge fuori da una libreria, Chantal, cerca di avere un contatto ma fallisce. Nei panni di soldato è costretto a frequentare un night con il suo superiore (che se lo fila), e qui vede Chantal che fa un numero di spogliarello.
Seguono un po' di vicissitudini, salva Chantal da un'imboscata delle SS, si amano, salva il suo capo da un'imboscata della resistenza, viene imprigionato come traditore e torturato. Capisce di essere stato un burattino nelle mani di entrambi, e poi il libro va a rotoli. Non svelo il finale, che peraltro è banalmente inverosimile e privo di quel quid che aveva animato la prima parte.
Quello che manca è lo spessore di Roth ed un sia pur minimo accenno a Chantal. Roth parla in prima persona, ma di lui, intimamente non sappiamo nulla. E' un libro inutile.
Roth, traduttore della Wermacht a Parigi, è precettato dalle SS. Non si sente un invasore e vorrebbe vivere Parigi da uomo comune, per questo si veste in borghese "parigino" e se ne va in giro. Nota una ragazza che legge fuori da una libreria, Chantal, cerca di avere un contatto ma fallisce. Nei panni di soldato è costretto a frequentare un night con il suo superiore (che se lo fila), e qui vede Chantal che fa un numero di spogliarello.
Seguono un po' di vicissitudini, salva Chantal da un'imboscata delle SS, si amano, salva il suo capo da un'imboscata della resistenza, viene imprigionato come traditore e torturato. Capisce di essere stato un burattino nelle mani di entrambi, e poi il libro va a rotoli. Non svelo il finale, che peraltro è banalmente inverosimile e privo di quel quid che aveva animato la prima parte.
Quello che manca è lo spessore di Roth ed un sia pur minimo accenno a Chantal. Roth parla in prima persona, ma di lui, intimamente non sappiamo nulla. E' un libro inutile.
June 22, 2024
Read in the course of an afternoon. This book has been on my list for a very long time and it was sweet, like smelling roses. It had this ethereal quality I don’t find in many books.
The ending wasn’t very predictable as I was to enraptured with the writing and Roth’s struggle. The translator did a very good job apart from a couple of typos here and there.
I guess you can say I’m a sucker for these types of stories even if I won’t ever write one of my own.
I feel like stories like this all end the same as it was similar to the ending of A Berlin Love Song. But, maybe that’s the point, maybe it’s how fleeting life is and how we all like to think about love stories that can never come true.
It was fast, it was bittersweet, and I’ll remember this one just because of the fairytale aspect of it all.
It’s like smelling roses. It’s just the way it is.
The ending wasn’t very predictable as I was to enraptured with the writing and Roth’s struggle. The translator did a very good job apart from a couple of typos here and there.
I guess you can say I’m a sucker for these types of stories even if I won’t ever write one of my own.
I feel like stories like this all end the same as it was similar to the ending of A Berlin Love Song. But, maybe that’s the point, maybe it’s how fleeting life is and how we all like to think about love stories that can never come true.
It was fast, it was bittersweet, and I’ll remember this one just because of the fairytale aspect of it all.
It’s like smelling roses. It’s just the way it is.
May 9, 2013
It is the middle of WWII in occupied France,. It's very much a story of survival; how one life may be betrayed by another, Roth is twenty-one, a German soldier in occupied Paris doing translations in the back offices. He is suddenly transferred to the SS office, translating for interrogations. These are perilous times and Roth knows he can be caught in difficult situations. If he is caught by the French Resistance, he will be killed as a spy and if he is caught by his fellow Germans, he can be declared a traitorand killed.This book is a really fast read, partly because many of its plot twists and turns.
June 2, 2015
This novella was my Tucson reading when Nancy and I drove to Tucson last weekend to visit my sister. First published in German in 2006, but as you might guess I read the 2007 English translation. An interesting and engaging story of a young German soldier stationed in occupied Paris in the 1940s. Without meaning to, the soldier falls in love with a young French woman and.....well, you may want to find out for yourself. Well paced and deftly written, it's both a quick read and an exciting and moving adventure. Made me miss Paris, but that's not difficult.
September 17, 2011
The story line of an SS soldier and a French Resistance woman love story in occupied France sounded wonderful. I guess I was expecting more romance and less war, but there were far too many graphic passages about torture, and little explanation of the romance other than superficial attraction between two young people in the middle of a war. quite a disappointment.
August 18, 2013
Es una historia de amor imposible entre un soldado alem�n, que trabaja de traductor ante los detenidos que interrogan en medio de torturas, y una joven francesa militante de la resistencia francesa.
La historia es agradable y muy impactante. La descripci�n de las torturas y el dolor es muy fuerte. Definitivamente la guerra es la peor de las plagas de la humanidad.
La historia es agradable y muy impactante. La descripci�n de las torturas y el dolor es muy fuerte. Definitivamente la guerra es la peor de las plagas de la humanidad.
March 13, 2020
I am disappointed in this book. It was too choppy and I hated the French wasn't translated into English.
I didn't mind it wasn't a happy ending but it made no sense.
I didn't mind it wasn't a happy ending but it made no sense.
August 5, 2020
Tiene unas buenas descripciones, y aunque desde al comienzo sabes que giro va a tomar la historia es muy bonita.
October 17, 2024
"Abril en París es una historia de amor y dolor. Un soldado Alemán que en plena guerra se instala en territorio enemigo, Francia. Se cambia el nombre y finge ser otra persona. Así conoce a Chantall, ayudante de barbero de la cual se enamora.
Lo raro no sería eso sino que en un momento con unos colegas va a un burdel y ve a Chantall bailando en el escenario... Todos sabemos que amor y guerra no van bien de las manos y que se va a sufrir, es muy predecible la cuestión... Sin embargo, creo que aquellos que busquen una lectura sensible e intrigante y con capítulos cortos; ligerita y que a la vez les haga una grietita en el corazón les puede gustar mucho.
Un libro que llego a mis manos por un amigo. Claramente o no me conoce nada o quiso sacarme de mi zona de confort (con lo que prefiero quedarme). Además tengo el pequeño toc de que el libro que me prestan y recomiendan, me quema en las manos. Tengo que tenerle paciencia porque por algo lo hicieron, al margen de sentir que conocés un poquito más de la otra persona.
Lo encaré con muy bajas expectativas y eso resultó bien. Claramente no lo hubiera elegido nunca: la portada me parece espantosa, al autor no lo conoce ni la madre y en la contratapa está recomendado por dos autores más que tampoco conocen ni su madre. La historia no está mal, engancha y es ligero, pero mi estilo va más de la forma que del fondo. Si bien me parece bien escrito no es una pluma que parta la cabeza. Conclusión: lo recomiendo mucho para personas que les gustan este tipo de historias. Si el género aún no los saturó la pueden disfrutar y pasar un buen momento."
Lo raro no sería eso sino que en un momento con unos colegas va a un burdel y ve a Chantall bailando en el escenario... Todos sabemos que amor y guerra no van bien de las manos y que se va a sufrir, es muy predecible la cuestión... Sin embargo, creo que aquellos que busquen una lectura sensible e intrigante y con capítulos cortos; ligerita y que a la vez les haga una grietita en el corazón les puede gustar mucho.
Un libro que llego a mis manos por un amigo. Claramente o no me conoce nada o quiso sacarme de mi zona de confort (con lo que prefiero quedarme). Además tengo el pequeño toc de que el libro que me prestan y recomiendan, me quema en las manos. Tengo que tenerle paciencia porque por algo lo hicieron, al margen de sentir que conocés un poquito más de la otra persona.
Lo encaré con muy bajas expectativas y eso resultó bien. Claramente no lo hubiera elegido nunca: la portada me parece espantosa, al autor no lo conoce ni la madre y en la contratapa está recomendado por dos autores más que tampoco conocen ni su madre. La historia no está mal, engancha y es ligero, pero mi estilo va más de la forma que del fondo. Si bien me parece bien escrito no es una pluma que parta la cabeza. Conclusión: lo recomiendo mucho para personas que les gustan este tipo de historias. Si el género aún no los saturó la pueden disfrutar y pasar un buen momento."
November 17, 2025
In this novel the protagonist, German army Corporal Roth, constantly hears someone in the flat above playing Maurice Chevalier singing "Ma Pomme". On the same record is the Vernon Duke jazz song, "April in Paris" which Roth also hears and which is the title of the book. The chorus of "April in Paris" concludes "Whom can I run to? What have you done to my heart?", which neatly summarises this story.
The story itself is the tale of Corporal Roth, a young German translator stationed in Paris during the Second World War, who falls in love with a young French lady, Chantal Joffe. Not an unusual tale in itself. But what makes this story quite different is that Roth is wandering the streets of Paris dressed as a Frenchman, in defiance of German army regulations, when he meets Chantal. The explanation for why Roth should choose to risk a posting to the Russian front for the pleasure of exploring Paris in civilian clothes is rather weak, but humans sometimes (perhaps often) do incomprehensible things, so I did not find this spoiled the novel.
I will not go into what actually happens as a result of Roth's wanderings, as this could mar your enjoyment of the novel. But suffice it to say that German author Wallner maintains the thrills and suspense and has produced a gripping first novel, published in 20 countries around the world. It is translated from the original German by John Cullen.
The story itself is the tale of Corporal Roth, a young German translator stationed in Paris during the Second World War, who falls in love with a young French lady, Chantal Joffe. Not an unusual tale in itself. But what makes this story quite different is that Roth is wandering the streets of Paris dressed as a Frenchman, in defiance of German army regulations, when he meets Chantal. The explanation for why Roth should choose to risk a posting to the Russian front for the pleasure of exploring Paris in civilian clothes is rather weak, but humans sometimes (perhaps often) do incomprehensible things, so I did not find this spoiled the novel.
I will not go into what actually happens as a result of Roth's wanderings, as this could mar your enjoyment of the novel. But suffice it to say that German author Wallner maintains the thrills and suspense and has produced a gripping first novel, published in 20 countries around the world. It is translated from the original German by John Cullen.
July 9, 2017
In aceasta carte este vorba de destin.
Michael Roth este in Paris ca traducator.Este anul 1943,anul in care Franta este plina de germani.Lumea este suspicioasa si ar face orice sa scape,exista si Rezistenta.
Michael se deghizeaza,mai ales ca stie la perfectie franceza si neavand uniforma distincta germanilor trece usor ca francez.
Michael se indragosteste de Chantal,fata librarului.Se intampla multe intre ei,dar dragostea lor nu este menita sa ii uneasca pentru totdeauna.
Pana la un moment dat totul merge bine cu deghizatul si plimbarea ca francez,dar se va schimba totul cand adevarata fata a lui Michael va fi cunoscuta si de ceilalti.
Dupa momente frumoase totul este distrus de un fel de atentat asupra unor soldati germani la un local,Michael isi da seama de ceva,dar faptul asta ii va da in vileag relatiile cu Chantal si cunostintele acesteia.El va fi inchis si torturat si la un moment dat va scapa.
Pleaca in cautarea lu Chantal dar afla ca a fost omorata de germani si are un copil despre care familia ei ii spune ca nu il va da.
In final Michael pleaca spre alte zari.
Urmariri,momente dragastoase sau periculoase acum astea fac parte acum din viata lui Michael,iar Chantal il ajuta cu evadarea.
Dar deja totul s-a schimbat,nimic nu va mai fi la fel…
Michael Roth este in Paris ca traducator.Este anul 1943,anul in care Franta este plina de germani.Lumea este suspicioasa si ar face orice sa scape,exista si Rezistenta.
Michael se deghizeaza,mai ales ca stie la perfectie franceza si neavand uniforma distincta germanilor trece usor ca francez.
Michael se indragosteste de Chantal,fata librarului.Se intampla multe intre ei,dar dragostea lor nu este menita sa ii uneasca pentru totdeauna.
Pana la un moment dat totul merge bine cu deghizatul si plimbarea ca francez,dar se va schimba totul cand adevarata fata a lui Michael va fi cunoscuta si de ceilalti.
Dupa momente frumoase totul este distrus de un fel de atentat asupra unor soldati germani la un local,Michael isi da seama de ceva,dar faptul asta ii va da in vileag relatiile cu Chantal si cunostintele acesteia.El va fi inchis si torturat si la un moment dat va scapa.
Pleaca in cautarea lu Chantal dar afla ca a fost omorata de germani si are un copil despre care familia ei ii spune ca nu il va da.
In final Michael pleaca spre alte zari.
Urmariri,momente dragastoase sau periculoase acum astea fac parte acum din viata lui Michael,iar Chantal il ajuta cu evadarea.
Dar deja totul s-a schimbat,nimic nu va mai fi la fel…
August 26, 2025
This novel was on my to-read shelf for a while, I picked it up remembering only it was about a German soldier dressing up as a French man in Paris and his encounter with a French girl.
It's not a romance, nor a love story. Is it a mirage, an infatuation, a dream of escaping the coldness of dehumanisation ? Roth / Antoine is not a hero or a bad man, he just is. He is fluent in French, has no accent and can mix with the locals undetected, or does he ? Everything seems to be an illusion, a fevered hallucination, running in dark corridors, trapped in basements, going mad in cells, where hope is crushed and revived over and over again.
A a reader, I found it slow at first with the pace accelerating from the second half of the book on. The writing is factual, lacking emotion, as if the characters were going through the motions. I guess it served a purpose of going against the idea of WWII as an adventure and a place for heroism and simply portrayed a dull and a mirky road you walk on, fighting for survival, for a spark of love.
It's a quick and intriguing read, clever but short of reaching a climax you keep waiting for... The ending is abrupt. The characters are abandoned into the unknown with a sense of sadness and doom.
It's not a romance, nor a love story. Is it a mirage, an infatuation, a dream of escaping the coldness of dehumanisation ? Roth / Antoine is not a hero or a bad man, he just is. He is fluent in French, has no accent and can mix with the locals undetected, or does he ? Everything seems to be an illusion, a fevered hallucination, running in dark corridors, trapped in basements, going mad in cells, where hope is crushed and revived over and over again.
A a reader, I found it slow at first with the pace accelerating from the second half of the book on. The writing is factual, lacking emotion, as if the characters were going through the motions. I guess it served a purpose of going against the idea of WWII as an adventure and a place for heroism and simply portrayed a dull and a mirky road you walk on, fighting for survival, for a spark of love.
It's a quick and intriguing read, clever but short of reaching a climax you keep waiting for... The ending is abrupt. The characters are abandoned into the unknown with a sense of sadness and doom.
March 27, 2020
Young German soldier Roth escapes the reality of his duties translating Gestapo torture sessions by wandering the streets of occupied Paris as Antoine, his secret French persona. He falls in love with French resistance operator Chantal, is caught by the Gestapo, and becomes the tortured prisoner he formerly beheld. German author Wallner’s first-person account requires some suspension of disbelief as events leave Roth stuck between two worlds and, ultimately, unfit for either. Well-drawn settings and nicely done narratives, and intriguing parallel perspectives of the ruling Nazis in occupied Paris and of the nerve-racking existence of resisters who must in the end resort to totalitarian brutality somewhat akin to their oppressors, made it a satisfying read.
Was this review helpful? I am an avid world war based fiction reader and author. You can read more of my takes at https://brodiecurtis.com/curtis-takes/.
Was this review helpful? I am an avid world war based fiction reader and author. You can read more of my takes at https://brodiecurtis.com/curtis-takes/.
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