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

An unexpected disappointment

Wow, I so much wanted to love this one as much as Rutherford's "New York" and "London"; in both of those, I learned so much history while being intrigued by the storylines of families through time. I love a LONG Audible listen, and these certainly fit that requirement! So I was excited to start "Paris", only to be quickly disappointed. (I still made it to 6 hrs and 40 min left before I allowed myself to give up and listen to something entertaining).

From the beginning I could not relate to the narrator; while her diction was perfect and she did a decent job with most characters, I never related to her as the narrator and was distracted by that. I particularly winced everytime she spoke with an "American accent" (really?) Her voice was so flat, but I guess it's hard to speak in different dialects....this narrator just didn't do it for me, and I will watch for her.

The story was uber-confusing! I replayed sections over and over, trying to figure out where I lost the thread...jumping around in time was unclear much of the time (to me), and there were few characters I cared about, as I was always trying to remember who they were and what part of the story they were in.

I'm sorry to leave a negative review, but I just found very little entertainment value in this recording. It wa more like being in a dull history class and striving to hang in there! By the way, I noticed much of the "history or story" was told this time through someone literally teaching the history to a younger character, rather than being told through story and action.

I will definitely try another Rutherfurd, after reading plenty of reviews and listening to a sample of the audio....this one just wasn't for me.

Excellent history of Paris and it’s soul

I found the story captivating, regularly looking at the family tree available at the author’s website. Very enjoyable to listen to while taking long walks in Mexico, dreaming of Paris. The narrator did an excellent job of capturing my attention and really drawing the listener in. This certainly will not be the last Rutherford novel I listen to. Very well done, sir!

Wonderful

A captivating saga involving six Parisian families from 1261 to 1968. Great family drama with the history of Paris as the backdrop. I loved all the connections between the people, some only the reader knew!
If you loved Ken Follett‘s Pillars of the Earth you’ll love this.

Captivating

The story of a great city and some of the families to make it unforgettable. Like his novel New York,The author gives us a great long story. This book is highly recommended.

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.

Rutherford is a fabulous historian and writer.

Rutherford is a fabulous historian and writer. He makes history come alive and waves the stories of his characters lives with dexterity.

Paris: The Novel (is that helpful?)

[Why not ignore that awesome stalker just waiting, finger poised over the *no* help button?]

After this enjoyable experience, I intend to look up other books by this author. Rutherfurd did an admirable job condensing 700 plus years of history, from several different class perspectives, in Paris: The Novel--although "condensing" may seem an odd word to use when referring to an almost 39 hour book. But the information is as significant and as impressive as the book's girth.The tangled machinations of politics, religion, social position, etc., was intriguing, given added color by the personalities entwined in the years of rich history. The timelines that crossed America's progression with where Paris was at a particular place in it's historic march fascinated me, reminding me that we are a young country in comparison. The embellished dialogue sometimes seemed staged to facilitate passages of information, as is often the case with this kind of historical fiction (an great-aunt takes her very young children on a Sunday afternoon stroll, giving quite a lengthy discourse on the history of the Louvre, or Notre Dame) but so much information is given that I enjoyed these episodes (that reminded me a little of following the knowledgeable group-guide with the flag). With such an abundance of information, I'm sure that even the most erudite Francophiles will be enlightened.

*Please allow me: To you who follow certain reviewers just for the sole purpose to vote no after reading their reviews, usually before even reading them at all...just stop reading them; follow someone else; write your own freaking reviews that enlightens us all as to what IS helpful; gut-up. There are reviewers that don't write anymore and now I understand why. Keep some dignity and class in this "community". "Mean people suck." ( I'd give that statement a *yes this was helpful.*)

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.

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.