• Perestroika in Paris

  • By: Jane Smiley
  • Narrated by: Suzanne Toren
  • Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (765 ratings)

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Perestroika in Paris  By  cover art

Perestroika in Paris

By: Jane Smiley
Narrated by: Suzanne Toren
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Publisher's summary

From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Thousand Acres and the New York Times best-selling Last Hundred Years Trilogy, a captivating, brilliantly imaginative story of three extraordinary animals - and a young boy - whose lives intersect in Paris.

Paras, short for "Perestroika", is a spirited racehorse at a racetrack west of Paris. One afternoon at dusk, she finds the door of her stall open and - she's a curious filly - wanders all the way to the City of Light. She's dazzled and often mystified by the sights, sounds, and smells around her, but she isn't afraid. Soon she meets an elegant dog, a German shorthair pointer named Frida, who knows how to get by without attracting the attention of suspicious Parisians.

Paras and Frida coexist for a time in the city's lush green spaces, nourished by Frida's strategic trips to the vegetable market. They keep company with two irrepressible ducks and an opinionated raven. But then Paras meets a human boy, Etienne, and discovers a new, otherworldly part of Paris: the ivy-walled house where the boy and his nearly 100-year-old great-grandmother live in seclusion. As the cold weather and Christmas near, the unlikeliest of friendships bloom. But how long can a runaway horse stay undiscovered in Paris? How long can a boy keep her hidden and all to himself?

Jane Smiley's beguiling new novel is itself an adventure that celebrates curiosity, ingenuity, and the desire of all creatures for true love and freedom.

©2020 Jane Smiley (P)2020 Recorded Books

What listeners say about Perestroika in Paris

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
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If you like animals, this is a fun book

The narrator was very good. I really enjoy Jane Smiley's books. Nice escape for the mind.

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23 people found this helpful

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Wonderful story with my favorite animals

I adored this story so much, it has a German Shorthair Pointer and a horse as the main characters, among other animals. I couldn’t resist it and thoroughly enjoyed it. The narrative is well read and acted, the plot is fanciful and thoroughly developed and the voices of the animals demonstrates the author’s knowledge and experience. I’d recommend this for anyone, especially families on a long road trip.

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1 person found this helpful

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Worth giving a chance.

I started listening to this with no real expectations of liking it. I was wrong. It took two tries to make my way past the beginning of the story, but then I was hooked. This is a tale which is not intended to be credible, just captivating. It succeeded as far as I am concerned.

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1 person found this helpful

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A gentle, lovely, wise story.

This is one of those stories that slowly draws you in, until at the end you are a bit surprised it’s over. I loved it. A sweet story for all ages.

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A good read or listen

Interesting to see life from the perspective of the animals. They are very good at telling their stories

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A perfect Christmas tale (tail)

A wonderful, beautifully written and read, story of loyalty and love, for all the family.

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16 people found this helpful

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Precious

With everything that is going on in the world, this was a welcome respite. Well written and performed enchantingly.

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Charming!

A very cute story with memorable characters. Great for anyone who wants a light read.

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DELIGHTFUL!

Loved it! Great and endearing story. The Reader is exceptional. I Highly recommend. Miss Paris!

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If you love horses, dogs, ravens, rats and Paris

This is the book you’ve been looking for! You’ll make safe travel plans and get yourself to Paris to meet Jerome, Etienne and Anais. It’s been a long time since such a charming story has come along. I was sorry to have it end.

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