A glamorous fish-out-of-water first novel, Paris Hangover stars Klein, a just-escaped New Yorker with trunk-fulls of fabulous footwear but without the significant relationship she'd really expected and longed to have by now, in her mid-thirties. Fleeing a live-in lover and their sleek Tribeca triplex as well as a career in fashion, Klein stars over in Paris-in a tiny walk-up in the 6th that she had to lie (in broken Franglais) and write a bad check to get, only to discover that, among other things, Parisian apartments don't come with kitchens. Living out of her ten piece of (Louis Vuitton, natch) luggage, Klein plunges into the mysterious world of French men and dating. She muddles her way through: the sexy Renaud, the prototypical Frenchman; dating three men named Jean simultaneously; and one completely wrong Monsieur Married Man, who wants Klein for his very well-kept mistress. Set against a backdrop of knowing references to Paris and its unique manners and mores, Paris Hangover is ultimately a very satisfying modern romance as Klein falls-- possibly permanently--for the least likely man to catch her eye.
I felt like I was living in Paris! I could feel her frustration, joy, anxiety and lust as each day unfolds.
GREAT BOOK
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
As Klein would say, LOVE THIS BOOK. From beginning to end, I was laughing at all of Klein's misadventures and mishaps in Paris and in love. It is definitely a paperback version of Sex and the City - equal parts Carrie and Samantha, but VERY entertaining.
From An Expat!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
I, too, was an Expat in France. This book is so entertaining and true to the French Expat experience. The priorities are shallow, but isn't that exactly what we are looking for in chic lit? It is, after all, called fiction. Read this book for entertainment and very good writing, especially in the chic lit category.
Serious literature it is not...
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
... but surprisingly it does include discussions of serious literature. And eloquent details of sights and scenes in and around Paris. And delicious descriptions of delectable dishes. And self-mocking expositions on fashion -- frivolous and fairly serious. This novel transports the reader to Paris and delights with details in a way that helps the reader understand the hold that Paris has on Klein. Despite the light and airy accounts of her loves and losses, we come to see that Klein knows herself quite well, understands her own -- and others' -- motivations, and in a flippant way is very hard on herself. Just when you think, How many times will it take before this chick wises up?, she surprises with perceptive insights. She also whets the appetite for further adventures, as we are fairly confident that the end is not the end.
Fun Read
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
War and Peace it is not, but this book was a phenomenal "light read". It might drag on a little towards the end, it might be a little predictable, it might be a little unbelivable...but, overall, I would highly recommend it if you are looking for something fun to read.
ThriftBooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. We personally assess every book's quality and offer rare, out-of-print treasures. We deliver the joy of reading in recyclable packaging with free standard shipping on US orders over $15. ThriftBooks.com. Read more. Spend less.