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

Best Yet

I really enjoyed listening to this book and think it’s one of his best! Jean did a great job narrating too.

Outstanding Story

I have listened to 3 Rutherford historical novels Paris is my favorite. Love how he weaves history with fictional families. This one totally captured my desire to know more about Paris as well as what happened next with the families.

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

Loved everything about this book except the ending

This epic was quite enjoyable and the narrator was fantastic. I lobed the fiction interwoven with the historical fact about Paris. I've read several other Rutherford books, I love his engaging works. My only complaint is that I thought the ending could have been wrapped up better, with the same verve, elegance, and skill as the rest of the book. All in all, I still really enjoyed it.

Wonderful

A captivating story of the city and people of Paris through the centuries. I especially loved Rutherfurd's Belle Epoque depiction. I couldn't stop listening to find out how the next generation of these four families would become intertwined. The characters were so vivid

Surprisingly Boring!

I've very much enjoyed most of E. Rutherfurd other books so was deeply disappointed to find myself listening to this one on 1.5x just to get through. I think it was a combination of skipping past the early Roman times and traveling back and forth through time that kept me off balance and disinterested in the cast of characters. But I have friends who've very much enjoyed this book so maybe it's just me.

Good listen

Would you listen to Paris again? Why?

Yes. Very interesting to view history in this way, one place and travel down the years through several families.

Would you be willing to try another book from Edward Rutherfurd? Why or why not?

Yes. So far I have read them all!

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

Different voices anda French accent

If you could take any character from Paris out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Let's just have a banquet!

Wonderful historical sweep of Paris

Wonderful historical sweep of Paris with characters I loved and despised. I need to go to Paris soon

So much easier to follow than Sarum.

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

I don't know not having seen the book. I will say having listened to Sarum first prepared me for the layout of this read. I found it much easier to follow than my first experience with Sarum. I should go back to Sarum and see if it's easier to follow now that I get the format. While this book doesn't go back as far as Sarum in terms of centuries, it was a bit more appealing in the fictional aspect rather than historical aspect, both tying in quite nicely.

What other book might you compare Paris to and why?

Other Rutherford books.

What about Jean Gilpin’s performance did you like?

Very much!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, not an extreme reaction.

Any additional comments?

It's a good, long read if you are into those things. Great if you have a long drive/trip or a project like painting your house. It all ties up nicely at the end. Lots and lots of historical reference blended in a very clever human interest way