Pancakes in Paris

Living the American Dream in France

By: Craig Carlson

Narrated by: Donald Corren

Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Paris was practically perfect - although for Craig Carlson one thing was still missing: the good ol' American breakfast he loved so much.

Craig was the last person anyone would have expected to open an American diner in Paris. He came from humble beginnings in a working-class town in Connecticut, had never worked in a restaurant, and didn't know anything about starting a brand-new business. But from his first visit to Paris, Craig knew he had found the city of his dreams.

Pancakes in Paris is the story of Craig tackling the impossible - from raising the money to fund his dream to tracking down international suppliers for "exotic" American ingredients, and even finding love along the way. His diner, Breakfast in America, is now a renowned tourist destination, and the story of how it came to be is just as delicious and satisfying as the classic breakfast that tops its menu.

©2016 Craig Carlson (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Donald Corren's engaging performance highlights Carlson's roller-coaster experience.... While most of the accents and pronunciations are spot-on and capture the nuances of the French people in the book, some deliberately imperfect pronunciations add an authentic flavor of an American trying to fit in. Ever entertaining are Corren's perfectly delivered comments on the sometimes passionate, sometimes laissez-faire Gallic responses to the various situations that make Carlson's journey both difficult and rewarding." ( AudioFile)

Funny, sincere, well written and well performed.

I really enjoyed Craig’s personal story. I will definitely look for BIA when I visit Paris in a couple weeks.

I LOVED THIS!!! Food + Travel with grit!

This book surprised me so much. A little bit foodie, a little bit travel, and a little bit entrepreneurial!! The ups and downs of starting a business, the adventures of a life in Paris plus lots of descriptions of fantastic breakfast diner foods! I ate French toast the day I finished this book haha! This was a fun listen with a feel good ending.

Hysterically funny!

I loved this book! The narrator was the perfect choice for it. He made it come to life. Highly recommend!

So amusing and inspirational!

I downloaded this book with no expectations, just because I love both Paris and pancakes. I was surprised to find such an amusing and inspirational storry!

I want to go....

BIA, and Paris.
The then child, listened to the coincidences of the universe when the whispers of FRENCH influences and the many lures of PARIS fluttered throughout his life.
And then, a plan, hard work determination and a bit a serendipity, faith and fate . . . all paid off.

cute, funny and most of all inspirational.
I most enjoy successes of a dream.

Great book club read!

Did this as our once a year gathering of member ladies, husbands, significants and friends. Great foundation for a wide discussion on culture, food, travel and… diners! One of our members actually remembered walking by BIA when in Paris!

For Francophiles

This books takes you through a journey of passion. Entrepreneurs are usually obsessive about their ideas and this story indeed shows that. It also exposes the fact why most expats always say visit France but it’s really hard to live & work in France. Extremely enjoyable, reads like a story more than an autobiography.

What a lovely book!

Delightful and funny. Spent half of my life in Paris but Craig managed to teach me more about doing business in France and what love for Paris and American entrepreneurial can achieve together.

Fun listen!

You can picture yourself right there with Craig following the dream, the joys, the countless frustrations & endless challenged and finally the incredible successes!

Interesting read!

3.5 stars. I enjoyed the book. I pretty much love anything Paris so that drew me in immediately. I'm not sure why but I felt like the second half dragged a bit. I hope I get a chance to go back to Paris so I can stop at Breakfast in America!