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Paris  By  cover art

Paris

By: Edward Rutherfurd
Narrated by: Jean Gilpin
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Publisher's summary

From the grand master of the historical novel comes a dazzling, epic portrait of the City of Light.

Internationally best-selling author Edward Rutherfurd has enchanted millions of readers with his sweeping, multigenerational dramas that illuminate the great achievements and travails throughout history. In this breathtaking saga of love, war, art, and intrigue, Rutherfurd has set his sights on the most magnificent city in the world: Paris.

Moving back and forth in time across centuries, the story unfolds through intimate and vivid tales of self-discovery, divided loyalties, passion, and long-kept secrets of characters both fictional and real, all set against the backdrop of the glorious city - from the building of Notre Dame to the dangerous machinations of Cardinal Richlieu; from the glittering court of Versailles to the violence of the French Revolution and the Paris Commune; from the hedonism of the Belle Époque, the heyday of the impressionists, to the tragedy of the First World War; from the 1920s when the writers of the Lost Generation could be found drinking at Les Deux Magots to the Nazi occupation, the heroic efforts of the French Resistance, and the 1968 student revolt.

With his unrivaled blend of impeccable research and narrative verve, Rutherfurd weaves an extraordinary narrative tapestry that captures all the glory of Paris. More richly detailed, more thrilling, and more romantic then anything Rutherfurd has written before, Paris: The Novel wonderfully illuminates hundreds of years in the City of Light and Love and brings the sights, scents, and tastes of Paris to sumptuous life.

©2013 Edward Rutherfurd (P)2013 Random House Audio

What listeners say about Paris

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent Read

Similar to New York, well written, does jump around in time but was able to follow.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good memories!

I lived in Paris for two years in my 20's. This book brought back memories of the many places mentioned. At the same time I learned the history of these same places from as far back as the 1300's. Rutherfurd wonderfully brings together the many different families as we move through the centuries. My only complaint was the narrator's voice that seemed a little monotone but I guess if I am going to listen for 38 hours I would rather have that monotone rather than an overly dramatic version. All in all, a very good book.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

My favorite author at his best!

**Note: I’ve just finished this book for the second time. My goodness, this is absolutely gorgeous. Rutherfurd’s Masterpiece! Each story is weaved together so seamlessly and perfectly that nothing feels forced or formulaic. The performance by Jean Gilpin is exquisite. Together, the writing and narration make this one of those rare and perfect audiobooks. A story made better by listening. I was so sad to get to the end of the book this second time. I can’t fathom what I will listen to next that can remotely compare.**

First Review: I couldn’t disagree more with other reviewers who complain that the story travels in time back and forth, this making this book confusing. The structure and time line of this novel help make it so incredibly brilliant and unforgettable! The style is a slight change for Rutherfurd and I love it! I wasn’t ever confused as to the time period, as each chapter begins with the year it takes place. His stories of the ancient and recent past all hold threads of importance in the later time period. The later story is the true focus of this book. It starts in the 1800’s and continues until 1940’s German-occupied France. The stories that are earlier than 1800’s are all connected to the cast of characters/families that we follow from the building of the Eiffel Tower to the time of General De Gaulle.

It is a different style than Rutherfurd’s other chronological books, but to tell the story of a city like Paris, I think it was very effective.

I hated for this book to end. The narrator was excellent, except for her flat American accent. It’s not used often enough to matter that much.

I am sad, though, as this is the last of Rutherfurd’s books I have to read. I’ve now listened to all his work available on audible. (Except for the abridged Forest.) It can’t imagine anything that will compare to this amazing book.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

a bit difficult to follow, but enjoyable

loved his other "place" books, but this one jumped about so much, it was difficult to follow at times.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great writing and recording

Very inspiring story with so many moving parts that it takes an effort to keep track of all events and families. Paris is definitely a city to love. The fictitious families feel so real and relevant it’s hard to imagine the story is fictional.
Highly recommend to this loving history fiction

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Bravo!

This is the second Rutherfurd book I have listened to on Audible (Sarum being the first) and I am loving them. Rutherfurd immerses you in the history of an area by showing it through the eyes of characters who lived it. His characters, representing different generations of several families throughout the ages, are magically engaging, even when their "screen time" is short. Of course it takes a little time to get the lines of descent straight in one's head - posdibly more so listening than reading - but I did not find the timeline, which does jump around, at all hard to follow. I believe Rutherfurd uses his timeline to set up not only the context of historical events and their echoing effects down through time, but the evolution of people - they way we are shaped by our family history, often without even realizing it. Overall, you come away from a Rutherfurd book feeling you know the place - indeed, that you are a part of it, and have lived alongside those who built it. I will definitely be purchasing more of his novels on Audible. Bravo!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

headline required

a slow start, wonderful finish. great characters. thrilling realism. made me smile in spots and tear up at times.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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A different format than Rutherford's other books

Paris goes back and forth in time, instead of the straight timeline of Rutherford's other books. Still, it is a beautiful story. Jean Gilpin read beautifully and performed the voices and accents flawlessly.

As always I was entranced. Before Paris, I had read most of Rutherford's books, listening was a new experience. An experience I enjoyed so much, I bought another Audible Rutherford book.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

a fabulous book, an incredible narrator

What did you love best about Paris?

I learned so much history from this novel.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters were interesting and engaging.

Have you listened to any of Jean Gilpin’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Jean Gilpin's performance was extraordinary. I am now searching for other books she narrated. I honestly cant' imagine why anyone would give her less than five stars. Every character came to life through her voice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Ha! At 39 hours? I guess if I had no other responsibilities.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Educational but more importantly, Entertaining

This is my 2nd Rutherford Novel and I throughly enjoyed it. With great characters, he weaves fascinating stories that span through the years of the city of light. The narration was fantastic as well. Definitely commend if interested in Paris and or its history.

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