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

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

Very good

I enjoyed this book very much, including the historical information. It is well worth listening to and enjoying all the stores

Good Story

I very much liked this story. As with other reviews, the moving between periods does not work as well in a audible book format. It would probably work better when reading. I struggled with the performance initially, because it took time to get used to a female perform male voices. HOWEVER, over time I really enjoyed the performance and now reflect very positively on her narration. If you struggle, as I did, at the beginning with the performance my recommendation is to carry on and will become an endearing narrative voice.

Great read before your trip to France!

Any additional comments?

A wonderful overview of the history of Paris! It is a challenge to keep track of the characters and the sequence of timing as the book jumps back and forth. It can be done and you are rewarded with a good understanding of Paris. I enjoyed this book and it made my Paris visit more meaningful. The narrator is a delight.

Disappointing

I could not finish this book. It is too long and jumps from character to character. Boring

Outstanding!

Loved it. I love visiting Paris for many years. I now feel that I know so much more about its history now that I have read this book. I look forward to my next visit.

Loved it!

History and story all together! Learned so much from it!!!! Highly recommended for all Francophiles like me

Historical events

Unfortunately, some of the characters (aristocratic ones) were not very interesting. The story interwove the different characters pretty well.

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.

not as good as I hoped

couldn't get into it. story drags along. not my favorite narrator. don't reccomend. not on the same level as others you'll get recommended to