Welcome
to another exciting month where we exchange reviews about books we read
about Paris. Last year (2022), I posted the books I read where Paris is either the topic or at least
part of the read and the books I read about France or the French language and the books I read last year for Paris in July.
I found the challenge at Lisbeth @ The Content Reader. Tamara @ Thyme for Tea has been hosting a Paris in July challenge for eleven years. Last year, she hosted together with Deb @ Readerbuzz. This year, Emma @ Words and Peace has kindly taken over as the host. The picture at the top is also created by her.
In the end, I read two books this year:
Leroux, Gaston "The Phantom of the Opera" (F: Le Fantôme de l'Opéra) - 1910
Némirovsky, Irène "La Proie" [The Prey] - 1938
The books about France and/or Paris I read or posted this year, so far, are:
Gray, Martin "For those I loved" (F: Au nom de tous les miens) - 1971
Illies, Florian "1913: The Year before the Storm" (GE: 1913: Der Sommer des Jahrhunderts) - 2012 (not just about France but it does take a big part in the non-fiction book)
Stein, Gertrude "Paris France" - 1940
For this month, my plan is to read:
Orwell, George "Down and Out in Paris and London: A Gritty Memoir on Life & Poverty in Two Cities" - 1933
Two years ago, I mentioned the Maigret series with Rowan Atkinson. Unfortunately, the four episodes they filmed seem to be the only ones, although, who knows, maybe someone convinces the makers that we need more of them.
But, do not despair, I found some older ones that are also quite good, The inspector is played by Michael Gambon here, and there are twelves episodes made in 1992 and 1993. See here. I think I might rewatch all of them, maybe not all in July but over the next couple of months.
If you are looking for more books about France, have a look here.
And for my other Paris in July years, see here.
Also,
if you have read an interesting book about Paris or France or a book
taking place there, please, let me know. If you have reviewed it, I'd be
grateful for a link.
I'm delighted that Emma has agreed to do Paris in July this year.
ReplyDeleteOne of the books I want to read is Down and Out in Paris and London. I need to look for a copy.
I think so, too. She's a great person for this task. I had this on my wishlist last year and decided this would be my Paris book for 2023.
DeleteOrwell's book is depressing, but so good. I actually listened to it.
ReplyDeletePlease go to our page
https://wordsandpeace.com/2023/06/30/paris-in-july-2023/
and use the widget there to link this post.
I'll list it after under the "General plans" category.
And it's super easy: all month long, you just reuse tha same widget on this one page, for all your posts for #parisinjuly2023
Thank you, Emma. I saw this yesterday but didn't get that far, yet. But this is very helpful. Thanks.
Deletewonderful. I'm thinking, why not do a buddy read with Deb?
DeleteI listed your post and shared on social media
Good thinking, Emma. And yes, I saw. Thanks.
DeleteGreat to see you here again. This year I have not planned too much so will see where I end up. I have heard about the Orwell book and am interested in reading it. Definitely have to read Illies' book as well. Seems to be suitable also for this month. Nemirovsky turns up here and there, and I would like to try something by her as well.
ReplyDeleteI haven't planned much either, but I do want to participate as much as possible. Paris is the next best thing after Brussels, right? ;)
DeleteThe Illies book is great for what was going on in Europe before the Great War started, totally interesting. Némirovsky is interesting. I prefered "La Proie" to "Suite Française", actually.
I really liked Paris when I was there *ages* ago for a week. SO much history... SO much art! Inevitably I have a few books on that wonderful city:
ReplyDeleteParis Reborn – Napoleon III, Baron Haussmann, and the Quest to Build a Modern City by Stephane Kirkland
Les Parisiennes – How the Women of Paris Lived, Loved and Died in the 1940’s by Anne Sebba
Parisians – As Adventure History of Paris by Graham Robb
Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell
Eleven Days in August – The Liberation of Paris in 1944 by Matthew Cobb
Americans in Paris – Life and Death under Nazi Occupation 1940-1944 by Charles Glass
The Terrible Year – The Paris Commune, 1871 by Alistair Horne
Rather than post individual links to each review you can find them all under my 'France' label. I have more - both fiction and non-fiction - in various book piles.
Oh, that is great. Thank you for that list, Kitten. I think it will come in handy for our next Paris month.
DeleteI've enjoyed quite a few of the books on your list, especially the various Gertrude Stein books about her life in Paris in the early 20th century. When I am in Paris I love to walk by her house, which has a plaque noting the dates of her residence there.
ReplyDeletebest, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Thanks for that, Mae. I was a little disappointed in the book since it wasn't what I expected it to be but I put that down more as my fault than hers. I'll read more by her, that's for sure.
DeleteLooking forward to your posts over the coming month
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marg. And vice versa.
Delete"The Scarlet Pimpernel" is a book I have read with several of my children and really like it.
ReplyDeleteThen there is "Drei Tage und kein Ende," a German children's book by Cilli Wethekam, which I adored as a child.
My children all liked the "Madeline" picture books.
"The Family Under the Bridge" is a moving Christmas story set in Paris.
There is Stefan Zweig's "Joseph Fouché: Portrait of a Politician."
Thanks, Eva. I have never heard of "Drei Tage und kein Ende". And I know "Madeline" and have read "The Family Under the Bridge". I really should try "The Scarlet Pimpernel".
DeleteIt is a funny and sweet book.
DeleteI hope I'll get to it one day. So many books, so little time ...
DeleteI know! I just remembered another one: "The Song at the Scaffold" by Getrud von Le Fort.
DeleteAgain, one I've never heard about, Eva. Thanks.
DeleteShe is a very interesting author.
DeleteSounds like it, thanks, Eva.
DeleteI read Orwell's Down and Out years ago. I am a big fan of Irene Némirovsky- glad we are both once again partipating in Paris in July
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mel. Yes, Irene Némirovsky is a great author. I am sure I will read more of her books.
Delete