Isabelle in the Afternoon

By: Douglas Kennedy

Narrated by: Thomas Judd

Length: 9 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

Before Isabelle I knew nothing of sex. 

Before Isabelle I knew nothing of freedom. 

Before Isabelle I knew nothing of life.

Paris in the early '70s. Sam, an American student, meets a woman in a bookshop. Isabelle is enigmatic, beautiful, older and, unlike Sam, experienced in love's many contradictions. Sam is instantly smitten - but wary of the wedding ring on her finger. 

What begins as a regular arrangement in Isabelle’s tiny Parisian apartment transforms into a true affair of the heart, and one which lasts for decades to come. 

Isabelle in the Afternoon is a novel that questions what we seek, what we find, what we settle for - and shows how love, when not lived day in, day out, can become the passion of a lifetime. 

©2020 Douglas Kennedy (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Thoroughly enjoyed this one!!!

Kennedys language, his ability as a wordsmith, mesmerize as always. I always dislike coming to the end of Douglas' books, because I feel I've gotten to know the characters so well. Some good life lessons in there to take away too.

Twist and turn until the end.

I didn't lose interest especially every time Isabelle showed above the surface. Though her end is sad, Rebecca's relationship with Sam represents the limits of love and marriage many of us witness daily. I felt commiseration for the most part except everyone was so successful financially.