Four Books Featuring Expats in Paris
Last year I made a list of some of my favorite books set in Paris, and today I’m recommending four more books that capture some aspect of Paris—food, diplomacy, neighborhoods—through the eyes of the expat or traveler.
One More Croissant for the Road by Felicity Cloake
This memoir records the experiences of an English cookbook author and cyclist as she cycles around France sampling dishes famous in different regions of the country. Local color and recipes make this an enjoyable read for anyone interested in French cooking and culture, as well as cycling. It would be a good introduction to France’s most notable and traditional cuisine.
Don’t Tell Alfred* by Nancy Mitford
This book continues the story of Fanny Wincham as begun in The Pursuit of Love. Fanny’s husband Alfred is appointed to be an English ambassador in Paris, and the couple move in to the British Embassy where the former ambassador’s wife is refusing to leave. It is a humorous look at diplomatic life, and if you’ve ever lived in Paris, it’s fun to compare 1950s’ experiences with your own. Some things are different, but some things stay the same. Through all the escapades, Fanny’s main rule of thumb is, “Don’t tell Alfred.”
The Piano Shop on the Left Bank* by Thad Carhart
Another memoir of an Englishman in Paris, I loved reading Carhart’s familiar descriptions of life in the City of Light, with the special twist of his own search for a piano when he decides to take up playing again. His search leads him to a local piano repair shop, which seems to require a secret code to gain entrance. Once he is let inside he gains not only the piano he is searching for but friendship amongst the locals he might not have found otherwise. If you play the piano, you’ll be inspired to start practicing again.
Perestroika in Paris by Jane Smiley
Can you count a horse as an expat? Racehorse Perestroika wanders away from the track with her winning purse and finds herself in the Place du Trocadéro in the middle of Paris. She is befriended by a dog, a duck, and a crow, and eventually a boy and a baker. This book is gentle and lovely with a sense of everyday magic. It’s especially delightful if you’re familiar with the gardens around the Eiffel Tower and the Champ de Mars where most of the story takes place.
Do you have a favorite book featuring expats in Paris? I always enjoy a Parisian memoir and comparing other experiences to my own.
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