5 comments about C'est la Vie: An American Conquers the City of Light, Begins a New Life, and Becomes--Zut Alors!--Almost French.

1. This light delicious meringue-y confection of a book is like sitting down over tea al fresco to hear all the adventures of a girlfriend just in from Paris. What vicarious fun it is to listen to the travails of hunting for a flat "Dark is bad", navigating the flea markets "where the prices are so low you feel like giggling in glee" , and dipping a tentative toe into the pool of dating once more after widowhood "I wanted a reason to shave my legs again".
   
   Those critics who whine that Suzy Gershman writes from the elevated perspective of one who has independent means are just full of sour grapes. We all have friends with more (and less) money than us, and who gives a fig? This memoir of a woman picking herself up from her grief to start over in midlife is inspiring and joyful. I could taste the pain au chocolate, and hear the clink of dinner glasses at her soirees. I knew she was a kindred spirit from the moment I saw her photo on the back flap and read her opening paragraphs.
   
   Buy the book, fortify yourself with a fresh baguette and some espresso, and settle in for highly pleasurable escape from whatever is mundane in your world.



2. 
   This book isn't about Paris - it's about the the vain and vulgar Suzy Gershman who uses her husband's life insurance money to move to Paris to look for a rich husband: page 111 ("the man was dead, for heaven's sake, dead"); p. 99 ("my best ... hunting ground ... was in lobbies of luxury hotels"); p. 227 (when reminded of her husband's death, she "burst into giggles"); p. 87 ("I have long thought that my birthday should be a national holiday"). She enjoys adultery (p. 142, "I thought adultery was a French treat I should try just like Krug"); and can't understand why her son is upset when she sells the family home:(p. 210, "I thought I was entitled to a life"). She finds a good hairdresser (p. 68, the creme rinse is free); buys a "pair of tight white jeans" (p. 117); discusses her sex toys (p. 125, 142); is proud to travel with 17 suitcases (p. 213); and thinks she may have genital warts (p. 227 - this is certainly a great deal more than anyone wanted to know, but then again this woman has no sense of dignity at all). She drops Walter and Patricia Wells' name at every opportunity, but they are probably profoundly embarrassed by her. I paid about $3 to buy this book used, because I needed mind candy to read on a plane, but it wasn't worth that much. Truly one of the worst books I have ever read. Read Diane Johnson's "Into A Paris Quartier" instead.



3. I feel like I have to warn readers, please don't waste time, money or energy on this terrible book. I did plod through it and I did notice her disclaimer at the very end of the book that "she left out the depressing parts" but Gersham is so cold and heartless about the death of her husband, that it is hard to get by that and like her. She does go on about herself and shopping and when she tells her readers about a private medical issue, you have to think "way too much information". I pray there is not a sequel!



4. I think this is a delightful book---and one to not take too seriously. It's a great book to read when you are down, ill, or needing a good laugh. I enjoyed Gershman's style of writing and while her experiences would be out of reach for most of us, they were fun to read about.
   
   One reviewer called her vulgar---I just don't see that. While it is true that her affair with a married Frenchmen is not what most would do, it was so typically French. Just don't read this book if you feel a need to judge everyone else based on your own morals. This is a BOOK, not a guide to life.



5. Love this book. I found all kinds of practical information that would be helpful to me if I ever move to Paris, something that could happen if my dreams come true. Suzy Gershman's book is like reading a letter from an old friend and I devoured each page imagining I was there instead. Reading all the reviews I noticed that readers either hated it or thoroughly enjoyed it. I think the ones who didn't like it were expecting something else and blamed the writer when it didn't live up to their expectations. I didn't like Under the Tuscan Sun because of all the whining, page after page. Suzy doesn't whine, she embraces life. Very readable and fun, too.

No comments about Toujours Paris (Portfolio Collection).

No comments about Parisian's Paris.

No comments about Insight Guides Eating in Paris: Restaurants, Bars, Pubs and Cafes (Insight Eating Guides).

No comments about Tino Turtle Travels to Paris, France.

5 comments about Michael Brein's Guide to Paris by the Metro (Michael Brein's Guides to Sightseeing by Public Transportation) (Michael Brein's Guides to Sightseeing ... ... to Sightseeing By Public Transportation).

1. I bought this map along with the Paris Mapguide based upon the reviews here. It's an oversized metro map with mini-maps to 50 attractions. I never found a tourist destination that wasn't easily found from the nearest metro. You can get a free metro map when you buy a ticket or pass. Buy this only if you don't want to pull out your reading glasses to use the Paris Mapguide, but you'll still need a regular map to find the location of a restaurant or shop. Get the Paris Mapguide or the Michelin blue book instead. (To add insult to injury, there's a advertisement for the Paris Visite pass on the back, arguably the worst value for public transport in Paris.)



2. Compared to the free metro maps distributed throughout Paris, this one is a loser. While its large type makes it easier to read, it also makes it more cumbersome to unfurl while traveling. Its directions to tourist attractions are provided by any decent guidebook as well as signs and maps within the metro. Worst of all, the map is out of date. The new, ultra modern, Meteor line is not shown on this map.



3. There are more comprehensive guides available for less money (or free, even). It is printed on paper that is just a step above newsprint. Save your money for a more complete guide.



4. Quite useful with a minimum of travel-guide blather.Will prevent a first-time visitor from getting lost on the way to most places a tourist wants to go. Clear directions on using the Metro in a readable size (the 'freebies' from the Metro system are great if you are travelling with a magnifying glass).
   Time for it to be up-dated or I would give it 5 stars.



5. My visit to Paris was all the more enjoyable, because when I arrived at the Metro station for the new Branly Museum, I was clueless as to its location. I looked at Brein's Paris Guide, which specified my every step right to the entrance of the museum. This map was simply brilliant! No more wandering about Paris in a fog as to the most interesting sightseeing. Make no mistake--I got eye-strain trying to decipher the tiny free maps in French.

No comments about Paris Black & White 2009 7X7 Mini Wall Calendar.

1 comments about In Old Paris: An Anthology of Source Descriptions, 1323-1790.

1. Has very good insights into the history of Paris shown through visitors' accounts. But I wish the excerpts (and the book) had been longer. I'm sure the visitors' accounts had much more to say about the social life of Paris in their times. I'm also sure that there are many more sources than just the ones in this small book. Small, but interesting.

1 comments about Light of Paris, the.

1. Absolutely beautiful photographs that in many cases go beyond the endless cliches that this most wonderful city can't help but spawn. Using a spectacularly fine grained film, in a now eccentric denial of digital format, Berts has produced a magnificent portfolio on Paris. Reminds me of Brassai's celebrated night shots, only these were taken at dawn. Superb printing quality, and prefaced with a delightfully playful essay by Pierre Assouline. Top shelf publishing. An unmissable bargain at Amazon's price.

2 comments about Time Out Paris Eating & Drinking (Time Out Paris Eating and Drinking).

1. This is a great book for someone who is really looking to sample the restaurants of Paris. It is divided by types of cuisine, but also has a great section you can flip through to find a great place to go on a romantic date, or for the best live jazz, or even the best decor. The only things I'm not satisfied with are the maps, which are small and complicated, and the fact that most restaurants listed are on the pricier side. There is an entire "Budget" section, but that seems to be the only place where the reviwers sought out food that is affordable on an every-day basis. If you're spending a long time in Paris, this is a great buy. The maps won't be a drawback for you if you have another street map (don't try to rely on this one!), but then again, this is a restaurant guide, not a guidebook. There is an amazing array of restaurants, bistros, bars, and cafes reviewed in mouth-watering detail.



2. Rosa Jackson, the editor, writes a monthly restaurant column in Paris Notes. We have enjoyed her selections for years. Most restaurant guides contain only good recommendations - not that we always agree with them, and sometimes we are disappointed no matter how much the author raves about the restaurant. In this book, Rosa Jackson writes negative reviews about some of the restaurants - food, service etc.. I find that so refreshing and so helpful. All of her reviews, good or bad, are full of details, down to the decor of the restaurant. This book has many sections, haute cusine to budget, and numerous international restaurants, all in easy to find sections - not clumped together for you to figure out.It has sections for various areas of Paris (arrondissements) and an A-Z index also. No matter what area you are in, there are numerous listings. I just found out that the 2007, 8th edition, which is completely revised, is due out towards the end of 2006. I am hoping that it will be available before we leave in December. If you are going to Paris in 2007, wait and get the newest edition. Restaurants in large cities, tend to close, change owners or chefs, and can go from excellent to mediocre in a short period of time - or visa versa. Get it this book as far in advance of your trip as you can ....it contains A LOT of reviews, restaurants, bars, cafes, wine bars, tea room, shops and markets, etc..