Paris in Love: A Memoir

I ordered this book before reading anyone's reviews but I'm glad I had already placed my order and decided to go ahead and read it. The book was so much fun! Most of the other reviews shed a fairly negative light on it and I'm guessing it's because they are fans of the author's other books and were unable to separate the writing style of this one. I had never read any of her other books so I had a fresh perspective. I felt as if I were living in Paris with her, and her accounts of her family, her children, and their experiences were very entertaining. It's true that it reads more like a blog but that was the great part of this memoir-I wasn't bogged down with the mundane-she highlighted her experiences. She has a great way of turning every situation into a learning experience. In between chapters she did write a few pages of her experiences in "book" form. I will probably never make it to Paris but that's ok.....I lived it through Eloisa.

Eloisa James (aka Mary Bly) opens the door into a year of her family's life as they experience everyday life in Paris.Written as a series of journal entries, each chapter begins with a specific topic mini-essay that adds perspective and holds the narrative together. As with all her books, this is charming, funny and easy to read.Unlike her romance fiction novels, this book is an autobiography so has a completely different feel. There is a vulnerability in opening up and being authentic and it must take great courage to present herself, her Italian husband and her two adolescent children in an everyday, less-than-glorified manner. Most autobiographies that I've read fail on some level because the reader often feels like a spectator viewing the subject on their very best behaviour. Eloisa James' account makes the reader feel like a participant; her warmth, humour and lack of pretension had me feeling personally invested by chapter 3.There are numerous side characters, some fleeting and some described so beautifully that they could be anyone's neighbour, friend or relative. Some of my deepest belly laughs were inspired by Eloisa's mother-in-law and her dog Milo.There's a deep vein of respect that runs through this book. Respect for her husband, her children, her family and for Paris itself. Indeed Paris is a dramatic character itself, the seasonal changes, the beauty, the sophistication, the poverty, the hypocrisy, all are lovingly described in the rolling prose that is a hallmark of Eloisa's writing.I loved this book, I am recommending to every woman I know, and a few men. This is the sort of book that you can read in one go, with a bottle of wine, some cheese and chocolate or enjoy in snippets like a daily devotional or aged Shiraz, making it perfect for holidays or while travelling.I'm familiar with Paris but Eloisa's autobiography had me reevaluating my opinion and seeing this unique city as far more multi-dimensional. And the descriptions of her relationship with her charming husband and irrepressible children had me smiling with universal female familiarity, oozing sympathy, nodding at her pragmatism, laughing out loud with a sense of shared joy and green with envy as she evolves over a year in to a distinctly Parisian-flavoured American.I love all Eloisa James's books but I think this one might just be my absolute favourite. Thank you Ms James for sharing a year of your life with us, it has been a privilege to share your journey.

I loved every single thing about Paris in Love by Eloisa James.When Eloisa James's mother dies of cancer in 2007 and then two weeks she herself is diagnosed with the same cancer, she was sure she knew what would happen next:"I immediately started anticipating the epiphany when I would be struck by the acute beauty of life. I would see joy in my children's eyes (rather than start rebellion), eschew caffeine, and simply be, preferably while doing yoga in front a sunset."When all of that didn't happen, she decided that rather than living her life in the moment, she wanted to live someone else's life - the life of someone who lives in Paris.Since she and her husband are both college professors, they were able to take a sabbatical and set off for Paris with their two children in tow. She is a writer, and had plans for writing 4 books, while in Paris...none of them being a book about her actually being in Paris. So, this book is actually written from small updates, almost journal entries, some even just Facebook status posts. Which makes it wonderfully entertaining and a quick read. It is a life in Paris given to us in humorous bite-size glimpses."I walked into a hair salon yesterday and asked for my customary red highlights; the coiffeur snapped: "Non! For you, gold. Red is not chic." It's a good thing that our apartment is fitted with low-wattage, environmentally friendly lightbulbs, because strong light turns me into a marigold.""A row of elegantly narrow dormer windows sprouts from the building opposite my study. Sometimes a gaunt woman with beautiful cheekbones and sleek black hair pushes open her window and leans out. smoking and flicking the asked onto the slate. Today she wears a red dress and looks as if she belongs in an eighteenth-century novel, the kind in which heroines come to a bad end.""Today we went to Sunday brunch at one of Gordon Ramsaay's restaurants in Versailles, La Veranda. The entrees were fine ... but the desserts! I tried nine, determined to learn, through empirical research the very best one. The delicious, chewy passion fruit macaron? The froufrou hot pink marshmallows, the four flavors of creme, the fig tart, the delicate clafoutis? The winner was a dainty cake with a crackling top and luscious mango cream inside, because it was like biting into one of Alice's Wonderland cakes: inside was a voluptuous surprise."

This was a beautiful and evocative read. I adored the way it took me through the city, diving in and out of restaurants, museums, art galleries, department stores, bakeries et al. It was fascinating to sit on the shoulder of this brilliant and successful romance writer, who is also a professor of Shakespeare and see, hear and above all feel, how she and her delightful family survived and indeed thrived upon the experience. A funny, moving and at times thought provoking read. One of the most enjoyable books I've read in a long time ...I too love Paris, and this book reaffirmed that love yet again.

Another book I bought because I saw it cheap on Kindle. I thought that meant it wasn't going to be very good but actually was a beautiful, evocative memoir of one woman's sabbatical year to France with her family. Eloisa James writes about the city with such wit and colour that it makes you want to go there immediately. There was also a very poignant chapter about losing a friend which made me cry. Recommended. (It was a little bit slow to start but stick with it. I loved the travel tips at the end of the book too.)

I’ve never read one of this author’s books that I didn’t enjoy.

One of my favourite books - inspiring and moving. Beautifully written. As the format is a little unusual - mixture of social media posts and essays it may take a few pages to get into but honestly worth it!

Incredibly funny, heart felt and sweet! You’ll fall in love with the stories and feel as though you’re part of the author’s amazing adventure! Her incredible writing makes you feel like you know each person individually! A must read!