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_selene_'s review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
First off everyone is ridiculous for complaining that the protagonist is too self-centered for their liking; if you don't like self-centered characters then I suggest you avoid books written in first person from the viewpoint of a 21 year old American girl. Sally Jay is selfish, yes, but she's also charming, funny and likable. Dundy captures her voice like lightning in a bottle as we breathlessly and eagerly follow Sally Jay around 1950s Paris while she gets into mishaps and scandals as easily as downing a cocktail. I most enjoyed her misadventures in the first half of the novel, where she throws herself into the bohemian/intellectual cafe culture with glee. Most flaneuse narratives seem to focus on the danger of a woman wandering a city alone; this novel is more about highlighting the excitement and opportunity that a city can promise, although there are multiple dangers (typically in the form of predatory men). An outside perspective would highlight Sally Jay's vulnerabilty and every situation or interaction would be tinged with the danger of her precarious situation, but when we are placed into her oblivious perspective we gain empathy rather than sympathy and learn her lessons about life and people at the same time as her. Her observations of the various wild characters of Paris are the most entertaining aspects to me: Dunday captures the smoky jazz atmospheres of1950s cafes wonderfully. I lost interest in the narrative when it moved away from the hustle and bustle of the city and to the secluded countryside, but my attachment to and investment in Sally Jay kept me going through to the rewarding revelations at the end. I hope this book gains more recognition as it's a shame it hasn't been adapted into a film or series before!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Sexual harassment
Minor: Homophobia
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