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The Paris Novel

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The Paris Novel

Written by: Ruth Reichl
Narrated by: Kiiri Sandy
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About this listen

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A “mouthwatering” (The New York Times) adventure through the food, art, and fashion scenes of 1980s Paris—from the bestselling author of Save Me the Plums and Delicious!

“An enchanting and irresistible feast . . . As with a perfect meal in the world’s most magical city, I never wanted this sublime novel to end.”—Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, author of Good Company

A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: Saveur, Food & Wine, Bookreporter, The Charlotte Observer

Stella reached for an oyster, tipped her head, and tossed it back. It was cool and slippery, the flavor so briny it was like diving into the ocean. Oysters, she thought. Where have they been all my life?

When her estranged mother dies, Stella is left with an unusual inheritance: a one-way plane ticket and a note reading “Go to Paris.” Stella is hardly cut out for adventure; a traumatic childhood has kept her confined to the strict routines of her comfort zone. But when her boss encourages her to take time off, Stella resigns herself to honoring her mother’s last wishes.

Alone in a foreign city, Stella falls into old habits, living cautiously and frugally. Then she stumbles across a vintage store, where she tries on a fabulous Dior dress. The shopkeeper insists that this dress was meant for Stella and for the first time in her life Stella does something impulsive. She buys the dress—and embarks on an adventure.

Her first stop: the iconic brasserie Les Deux Magots, where Stella tastes her first oysters and then meets an octogenarian art collector who decides to take her under his wing. As Jules introduces Stella to a veritable who’s who of the Paris literary, art, and culinary worlds, she begins to understand what it might mean to live a larger life.

As weeks—and many decadent meals—go by, Stella ends up living as a “tumbleweed” at famed bookstore Shakespeare & Company, uncovers a hundred-year-old mystery in a Manet painting, and discovers a passion for food that may be connected to her past. A feast for the senses, this novel is a testament to living deliciously, taking chances, and finding your true home.

©2024 Ruth Reichl (P)2024 Random House Audio
Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Women's Fiction France Feel-Good Adventure City

What the critics say

“Reichl['s] . . . writing reads like a dish you want to savor, slowly chewing each perfectly chosen word as she describes the distinct experience of eating ortolan for the first time or sipping a red wine that tastes like ‘liquid rubies.’”Eater

“A delicious feast for the senses, taking the reader on an enchanting journey through the city of love, and following Stella’s adventure into a bolder, more beautiful life.”Oprah Daily

“[E]nticing . . . Reichl keeps the wine—and mouthwatering prose—flowing. . . . When a waiter drops an extra dessert on the table, better not send it back to the kitchen.”The New York Times

Editorial Review

Ruth Reichl’s French foray
Top of my list this month is the latest from Ruth Reichl. Her delicious memoir, Save Me the Plums: My Gourmet Memoir, resonated deeply for me as someone who had worked in the magazine industry during my career. What is really drawing me in this time is the setting. My sister and her family have lived in Paris for years, and after visiting many times I have come to think of it as a familiar and inspiring place that maintains its mystique. I am planning to come for Reichl’s rich storytelling and stay for the sure-to-be-divine depictions of Parisian dining, art and culture. —Kelley S., Audible Editor

What listeners say about The Paris Novel

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Deliciously Descriptive

This is a story that wakes up the senses. I felt like I was sitting at the table with the main character, Stella, sharing in the sensations of the various dishes. The author cleverly weaves in literary references alongside Parisian locations, chefs, art, fashion, architecture and, of course, cuisine. I was transported.

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A captivating sensual feast

The narrator has such range for the characters. The book is a fairytale but happily one I would visit many times.

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Greatly Enjoyed

After not having been back to EU in over 10 years, this was a great way to enjoy the pleasures of France! The food, drink, and art was well described, and the story was captivating. Felt that the last 1/4 of the book was a bit of a quicker pace than the first 3/4, but everything was tied up nicely.

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