The Paris Novel

By: Ruth Reichl

Narrated by: Kiiri Sandy

Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

A “mouthwatering” (The New York Times) adventure through the food, art, and fashion scenes of 1980s Paris—from the bestselling author of Save Me the Plums and Delicious!

“An enchanting and irresistible feast . . . As with a perfect meal in the world’s most magical city, I never wanted this sublime novel to end.”—Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, author of Good Company

Stella reached for an oyster, tipped her head, and tossed it back. It was cool and slippery, the flavor so briny it was like diving into the ocean. Oysters, she thought. Where have they been all my life?

When her estranged mother dies, Stella is left with an unusual inheritance: a one-way plane ticket and a note reading “Go to Paris.” Stella is hardly cut out for adventure; a traumatic childhood has kept her confined to the strict routines of her comfort zone. But when her boss encourages her to take time off, Stella resigns herself to honoring her mother’s last wishes.

Alone in a foreign city, Stella falls into old habits, living cautiously and frugally. Then she stumbles across a vintage store, where she tries on a fabulous Dior dress. The shopkeeper insists that this dress was meant for Stella and for the first time in her life Stella does something impulsive. She buys the dress—and embarks on an adventure.

Her first stop: the iconic brasserie Les Deux Magots, where Stella tastes her first oysters and then meets an octogenarian art collector who decides to take her under his wing. As Jules introduces Stella to a veritable who’s who of the Paris literary, art, and culinary worlds, she begins to understand what it might mean to live a larger life.

As weeks—and many decadent meals—go by, Stella ends up living as a “tumbleweed” at famed bookstore Shakespeare & Company, uncovers a hundred-year-old mystery in a Manet painting, and discovers a passion for food that may be connected to her past. A feast for the senses, this novel is a testament to living deliciously, taking chances, and finding your true home.

©2024 Ruth Reichl (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Reichl['s] . . . writing reads like a dish you want to savor, slowly chewing each perfectly chosen word as she describes the distinct experience of eating ortolan for the first time or sipping a red wine that tastes like ‘liquid rubies.’”—Eater, “The Best Food Books to Read This Spring”

“A delicious feast for the senses, taking the reader on an enchanting journey through the city of love, and following Stella’s adventure into a bolder, more beautiful life.”—Oprah Daily, “The Most Anticipated Books of 2024”

“[E]nticing . . . Reichl keeps the wine—and mouthwatering prose—flowing. . . . When a waiter drops an extra dessert on the table, better not send it back to the kitchen.”—The New York Times

Magical, but read the actual book do not listen

This story is magical as all Ruth Reichl books are. But the woman reading it is not magical. I doubt she knows anything about Paris. Her voices are horrible and completely take away from the story. Do yourself a favor and buy the book, and sit down and read it.

Unfortunate Choice for Narrator

I deeply regret leaving this review since I loved Ms Reichl's first novel and pre-ordered her new one the first day it appeared in Audible - but the narrator has ruined Ms. Reichl's prose with a nearly monotone yet overly emotional/dramatic narration. The word "immature" comes to mind as I try to explain how "off" it is but may "inexperienced" is more accurate. Shame on the publisher for not engaging a more talented voice actress for Ms. Reichl's novel! I tried to get used to it but finally gave up and will return this title and go find a hard copy of the book to read instead.

Awful

I didn’t finish this because I just could not take it any longer. The narrator did a fine job but the book is awful. I’ve read and listened to 50% and gave up. It’s driving me nuts.
Maybe at some point I’ll finish it. As of right now though….no way.