Paris

The Novel

By: Edward Rutherfurd

Narrated by: Jean Gilpin

Length: 38 hrs and 20 mins

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

odd ordering of chapters

I'm not sure if there was a glitch with audible or not, but on the middle the chairs jumped between was so much that I got confused at times. I enjoyed this book as I have other Rutherfurd books--lots of charming characters with fascinating stories told over historical events.

Paris: The Novel

This book was a little harder for me. I think, it is because of the French & their language. I've read far more books about England, and more familiar with English history. But I thoroughly enjoyed Paris and it's many interesting characters and places.

Great moments in the history of Paris in one novel

What did you like best about Paris? What did you like least?

The novel gave me the entire history of Paris in accessible form. It was easy to listen.However, the plots and characters were clearly contrived to just happen to be in situ at every conceivable historical moment - from the Revolution to Impressionism. The characters were wooden and the writing style clunky.

Would you ever listen to anything by Edward Rutherfurd again?

I might because I like really long novels to listen to while I quilt and knit. But the bad writing turns me off, so not soon.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Jean Gilpin?

Jean Gilpin sounded stilted, although the french pronunciation was excellent. I would have preferred Simon Vance, Malcolm Hillgartner, or Elizabeth Peters for example.

Any additional comments?

Rutherfurd packed it all in, but it sounded like he took a history outline from an encyclopedia and built a novel around it. He is definitely NOT as skilled an historical autor as Patrick O'Brian

Good Read

Would you consider the audio edition of Paris to be better than the print version?

Audio version is always better than the printed version. It allows you to do other things while "reading" the book.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The story is very slow at some points, and then can get quite confusing as to how the characters connect. While I am a fan of the author, Edward Rutherfurd, this is not his best work. Having said that, it is a good read and the story was enjoyable.

Which character – as performed by Jean Gilpin – was your favorite?

Jean Gilpin does a wonderful job with all of the characters. She is a great reader and brings life to the story.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

France's unsung heros

Any additional comments?

Check out Rutherfurd's other books first. This one is good, but not on the top of my list of favorites for his work.

I felt like I was in Paris.

I felt like I was in Paris and didn't want the book to end. Having visited this great city, I was able to visualize many of the places. It was historical fiction at its best! The only thing I would have liked better is if the book proceeded completely chronologically..

As always , EXCELLENT

I love learning something new about history, Edward Rutherford's books are a beautiful tapestry of history and entertainment

Great Book...

I really enjoyed the characters in this book...Paris is as beautiful in Edward ' s words as it is in person...

Take a vicarious trip to Paris throughout the Ages

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The narration is wonderful..Jean Gilpin inhabits all of the myriad of characters seamlessly.
I love tiptoeing through the history of the erecting the Eiffel tower through the life of Gascon the ironworker, and Roland the aristocrat and his visits to Moulin Rouge, of course I could go on but that would spoil it for you.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Paris?

When Gascon is building the Statue of Liberty and his meeting of Monsieur Eiffel.

What does Jean Gilpin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A wonderfully rich French accent that imparts a lovely flavor.

If you could rename Paris, what would you call it?

La Belle Epoque?

Any additional comments?

I had been a student of the French language since Elementary school and this re-awakened my love of all that is French...Viva la France!

Sweeping and thrilling!

This book was a meaty saga that swept in and carried me through to the end. It covered history and politics of Paris past without getting bored down. i loved it all!

Spellbinding storytelling and historical fiction

I also loved the female reader. The story was so exciting and real. I wish it had ended!