Reading Radar - How To Read Your Way Through Paris
Looking for some armchair travel? Transport yourself into the heart of Paris with my recommended reads.
Dreaming of Paris in Autumn? Let me set the scene for you, think of fresh flaky croissants, cappuccinos beside bustling Parisian pavements, the glittering Eiffel Tower at dusk and walks along the river Seiene - browsing books and art as the leaves turn to shades of burnt orange, red and sun drenched yellow.
This September I’m heading to Paris and taking along my mum and dad for a few days to the city of light. I’m so excited to be visiting one of my favourite cities to soak up the atmosphere of somewhere other than London for a few days.
With Paris firmly on my mind I thought it’d be nice to prepare for the trip with a little armchair traveling. Wander the streets of Monmatre where the artists gather to paint in the square, loose yourself in the shelves of Paris’s most iconic bookshop and discover intricate details surrounding the aritecture and folklore of the infamous Notre-Dame. Here’s my list of reads that will transport you to this incredible city.
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The Shakespeare And Company Book Of Interviews
Gain a rare glimpse into the minds of some of the most brilliant writers of our time, all from the cozy, book-filled haven of Paris' legendary bookstore. This collection captures candid conversations that span decades, featuring authors who have shaped the literary world. Whether you're a devoted reader or an aspiring writer, these interviews provide a treasure trove of insights, wit, and wisdom straight from the creative hearts that have walked through the doors of Shakespeare and Company. Prepare to be inspired by the voices that have defined generations of storytelling.
‘Shakespeare and Company, Paris, is one of the world's most iconic and beautiful bookshops. Located on the banks of the Seine, opposite Notre-Dame, it's long been a meeting place for anglophone writers and readers.
In that tradition, determined for the bookshop to remain a place of meaningful and transformative conversation, owner Sylvia Whitman and novelist and literary director Adam Biles have hosted several hundred interviews with writers, ranging from prize-winning novelists to visionary non-fiction writers.
The Shakespeare and Company Book of Interviews is a selection of the best of these interviews from the last decade. Packed with warmth, sensitivity and humour, it's a celebration of the greatest writers of our age and an insight into the lives and thoughts behind some of today's most talked-about books.’
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Hotel Du Lac By Anita Brookner
Hotel du Lac by Anita Brookner is a quiet yet powerful exploration of solitude, identity, and the complexities of the human heart. Set against the serene backdrop of a Swiss lakeside hotel, the novel follows Edith Hope, a romance novelist who retreats to the hotel after a personal scandal. As Edith interacts with the hotel’s eccentric guests, she confronts her own life choices and the societal expectations placed upon her. With Brookner’s exquisite prose and keen observations, Hotel du Lac delves into the inner workings of its characters, offering a poignant reflection on loneliness and the search for self-acceptance.
‘Into the rarefied atmosphere of the Hotel du Lac timidly walks Edith Hope, romantic novelist and holder of modest dreams. Edith has been exiled from home after embarrassing herself and her friends. She has refused to sacrifice her ideals and remains stubbornly single.
But among the pampered women and minor nobility Edith finds Mr Neville and her chance to escape from a life of humiliating spinsterhood is renewed.’
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Good Morning, Midnight By Jean Rhys
Often described as capturing ‘Parisian Gutter Culture’ this novel is a haunting exploration of loneliness, despair, and the search for identity in a world that often feels indifferent. Set in 1930s Paris, the novel follows Sasha Jansen, a woman grappling with her past as she drifts through the city’s streets, bars, and cafés. Rhys's poignant prose captures Sasha's inner turmoil, revealing the fragility and resilience of the human spirit. With its raw emotional depth and sharp portrayal of alienation, Good Morning, Midnight is a powerful reflection on the complexities of existence and the quiet struggles that define our lives.
‘Jean Rhys's Good Morning Midnight is an unforgettable portrait of a woman bravely confronting loneliness and despair in her quest for self-determination
In 1930s Paris, where one cheap hotel room is very like another, a young woman is teaching herself indifference. She has escaped personal tragedy and has come to France to find courage and seek independence. She tells herself to expect nothing, especially not kindness, least of all from men. Tomorrow, she resolves, she will dye her hair blonde.’
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Perfume By Patrick Süskind
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind is a mesmerizing tale that blends dark fantasy with historical fiction, weaving a story as intoxicating as the scents that drive its protagonist. Set in 18th-century France, the novel follows Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, an orphan with an extraordinary sense of smell. Obsessed with capturing the perfect scent, Grenouille embarks on a chilling quest that leads him to commit unspeakable acts. Süskind’s richly detailed prose and eerie atmosphere create a world where beauty and horror coexist, making this novel a compelling exploration of obsession, identity, and the power of scent.
‘Jean-Baptiste Grenouille is abandoned on the filthy streets of eighteenth-century Paris as a baby, but grows up to discover he has an extraordinary gift: a sense of smell more powerful than any other human's.
Gradually he learns how to exploit this gift in the art of creating the most sublime perfumes in France. Yet there is one scent he cannot capture: the scent of an innocent young virgin. In order to perfect his experiments, he must have this final ingredient, at any cost.
A cult international bestseller, Perfume is a bewitching, darkly humorous fable of desire, obsession and death.’
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The Second Sex By Simone De Beauvoir
Read the groundbreaking work that forever changed the way we understand gender, identity, and the human experience. Published in 1949, this seminal text delves into the societal structures and cultural norms that have historically defined and constrained women. With sharp intellect and profound insight, De Beauvoir examines the roles and expectations imposed on women, arguing that gender is a social construct rather than a natural fact. The Second Sex is not just a feminist manifesto; it's a comprehensive exploration of what it means to be a woman in a world shaped by patriarchy. De Beauvoir’s powerful arguments and visionary thinking continue to resonate, making this book as relevant today as it was when it first challenged the status quo.
‘When this book was first published in 1949 it was to outrage and scandal.
Never before had the case for female liberty been so forcefully and successfully argued. De Beauvoir’s belief that ‘One is not born, but rather becomes, woman’ switched on light bulbs in the heads of a generation of women and began a fight for greater equality and economic independence.
These pages contain the key passages of the book that changed perceptions of women forever.’
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The Hunchback Of Notre-Dame By Victor Hugo
A timeless masterpiece that weaves together themes of love, fate, and the struggle for freedom against the backdrop of medieval Paris. Set in and around the majestic Notre-Dame Cathedral, the novel tells the poignant story of Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer, and his unrequited love for the beautiful gypsy, Esmeralda. Through richly detailed descriptions and complex characters, Hugo explores the harsh realities of society, the power of the human spirit, and the inexorable forces that shape our lives. The Hunchback of Notre-Dame is more than a tale of tragic love—it's a powerful commentary on the beauty and cruelty that coexist in the human condition.
‘In the vaulted Gothic towers of Notre-Dame Cathedral lives Quasimodo, the hunchbacked bellringer. Mocked and shunned for his appearance, he is pitied only by Esmerelda, a beautiful gypsy dancer to whom he becomes completely devoted.
Esmerelda, however, has also attracted the attention of the sinister archdeacon Claude Frollo, and when she rejects his lecherous approaches, Frollo hatches a plot to destroy her, that only Quasimodo can prevent.
Victor Hugo's sensational, evocative novel brings life to the medieval Paris he loved, and mourns its passing in one of the greatest historical romances of the nineteenth century.’
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Madeline By Ludwig Bemelmans
A beloved children's classic that has enchanted readers for generations with its charming story and whimsical illustrations. Set in a quaint Parisian boarding school, the book follows the adventures of Madeline, a brave and spirited little girl who stands out from the crowd with her red hair and fearless attitude. Despite being the smallest in her class, Madeline’s boldness and curiosity lead her on memorable escapades, capturing the hearts of readers young and old. With its rhythmic prose and vibrant depictions of Paris, Madeline is a timeless tale of courage, friendship, and the joy of being delightfully different.
‘The classic picture book that has been charming children for over 80 years.
‘In an old house in Paris that was covered in vines, lived twelve little girls in two straight lines’
Something is not right with little Madeline. Her friends are sad when she goes to hospital to have her appendix removed. But they cheer up when see her impressive scar!
The small but feisty heroine, Madeline, and her charming Parisian world have been loved by children and adults alike for over eighty years.’
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The Disappearance Of Émile Zola
The Disappearance of Émile Zola by Michael Rosen is a riveting exploration of one of the most tumultuous periods in the life of the famed French writer. The book delves into Zola’s dramatic flight from France to England in 1898, after his outspoken defense of Alfred Dreyfus in the famous "J'accuse" letter made him a target of political persecution. Rosen meticulously reconstructs Zola’s time in exile, capturing the emotional and intellectual struggles of a man torn from his homeland but determined to stand by his principles. Through vivid storytelling and rich historical detail, The Disappearance of Émile Zola offers an intimate look at the sacrifices and courage required to uphold justice in the face of adversity.
‘Pronounced guilty of libel and sentenced to a year in prison, novelist Émile Zola went on the run.
Zola's crime had been to defend a wrongly convicted man, in what became known as the Dreyfus Affair. Fleeing the French state with just hours to spare he ended up living in the suburbs of south London unable to speak a word of English. Michael Rosen brings to life the sleepy world of late Victorian suburbia, Zola's turbulent politics and his tangled private life. Desperate to write a novel, he was also trying to balance the extremely delicate matter of the two women in his life - one the mother of his children, the other his wife.
The Disappearance of Émile Zola is the incredible true story of a writer's personal bravery in the face of the greatest political scandal of the age.’
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