Edward Rutherfurd

Presents a multigenerational saga detailing the history of Paris, from its founding under the Romans to the hotbed of cultural activity during the 1920s and 1930s.

The Novel

Paris

Lacy W

3.5 stars

Finally, I have finished this book. I feel incredibly triumphant. I don't think I've read a book this big since Roots and that was back in high school. That book was over 1000 pages and it took me about two weeks or so to finish. This, however, wasn't a bad book, but it took a lot out of you. You had to really focus on what was going on otherwise you would miss what was going on and it would ruin the story. I made that mistake a few times and spent several chapters struggling to figure out who was who.

I had written down all the characters at one point but I had to give up that endeavour after a few chapters. This book focuses on a few main characters but it's spread out literally over hundreds of years. I didn't know who was going to be considered important until I was well over the halfway point. It begins in 1700s (maybe earlier) continues until the 1960s. It tells the story of Paris and how she has weathered the most harshest of what history has to offer. From the Terror to WWII, Paris has survived and even thrived under the conditions humanity has put it under.

Like I mentioned above, this is a book you have to pay attention too. It bounces between many different periods of time and between many different characters. Most of them are all related or interact with each other at some point. If you miss out on one character and their history, you are basically screwed with the rest of the story. It doesn't help that parents insisted on naming their children the same name. That makes it very confusing.

I rated this book 3.5 stars because it just took so much effort to read. I didn't want to really read it at times because it was so dense and I wasn't really in the mood to focus on it. It was good though. And I learned a lot about Paris that I never knew before. If anything, this book made me want to go find some historical fiction books about Paris. 

As for recommending this book, I'd say that you have to be super interested in Paris and history. I am interested in history but not Paris so much. So be prepared for that. Also be prepared this a lot of time jumping, like I mentioned above. It gets a bit confusing at times but once you whether through it, this book actually becomes an enjoyable reading and learning experience.

Mary Rose Luksha

This is the first novel by Rutherford I've read. So other reviewers who were disappointed in the work because it wasn't as good as Sarum or Russka, more power to you, but I've got no comparison.

I've visited Paris three times and I feel like I learned more about it from this book than I ever learned in all the museums and churches there, not to mention the history lessons from school. At times the history got a little dry and lecture-y, but I was fascinated by it and didn't mind. I love the idea of following the families and how they all interact and weave together over the course of time; like watching one son in a family repeat the mistakes of a father or grandfather - heartbreaking - but intriguing. 

One criticism I do have is of the romantic relationships in this book. Other reviews complained that they exist at all, since it takes away from the history. To those people I say - it's Paris! It's THE romantic capital of the world! If there wasn't love and intrigue I'd be sorely disappointed. To the author I say - it's Paris! It's THE romantic capital of the world! Maybe there could have been a bit more emotion in those love scenes? They were a bit cut and dry. I would never pretend I knew more about Parisian history than Rutherford, but being a woman I know a few things about being a young girl in love. I'm not saying I needed more mushy romance, quite the contrary, I just wish some of the dialogue had more feeling behind them so I could be more invested in the characters.

Bella Tassinari

Brooke Lonegan

Amanda S

Elizabeth Alfiero

cossette

Anne Sofie Stavad

Sarah Hamilton

From the grand master of the historical novel comes a dazzling epic portrait of Paris that leaps through centuries as it weaves the tales of families whose fates are forever entwined with the City of Light.

Paris The Novel

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