I've stated in my updates how much I loved this book. All the characters on the Rue de Martyrs were charming, even if they weren't particularly friendly, and it gives me a small thrill to remember that this is not a novel and these people really do exist. I have been to Paris once before and didn't visit this area, but I think that when I return (and I will return) I should like to take a stroll through the street, nipping in and out of the shops as Elaine describes. I am a big fan of Haussmann (who designed the modern, clean Paris we see today), but would definitely find it interesting to walk through this street stuck in time. I certainly wouldn't have found out about the Rue de Martyrs and its significance if it wasn't for this book.

Also, I am on a bit of a Parisian memoir binge lately, and this book certainly satisfied my craving. If you are in love with Parisian life, read this!

Though at times a bit contrived, I thought this was a lovely and passionate portrait of a street in Paris that is always changing yet somehow maintains its character.

I give this book 3 1/2 stars. For the most part, I enjoyed reading it and I really enjoyed learning the history of the street and its place in Paris. However, I did find some parts oddly self-indulgent and narcissistic. The shopping trip with Arianna Huffington felt like a pure name drop and didn't seem to have any sort of relevance to the story. I was also a bit turned off by the number of times she mentions bartering with the merchants because she is dissatisfied with the price of certain goods. For some reason, this comes up in almost every chapter and it felt awkward every time. But Elaine does seem like a kind-hearted and very intelligent person who really values where she lives. After reading the book, I'd be interested to visit the Rue des Martyrs someday.
informative lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

The author clearly has a lot of passion for this street and has put together an excellent overview of its history and character. However, I didn't share her passion. I think this could have been a long form article instead of a book.

If I were going to Paris, I could see bringing this book along on a walk up the Rue des Martyrs.

Put on some Edith Piaf, pour yourself a glass of Cote de Rhone, and cozy up to the joie de vivre of this book. Elaine Sciolino, a true bon vivant, describes her life on the Rue des Martyrs in such a way that I want to pack my bags and move there, too. (Who am I kidding? The word Paris alone makes me want to pack my bags and move.) One aspect of that I really appreciate about this book is that Sciolino dispels the myth that Parisians are rude; they are some of the kindest people you will meet, but as she explains, there are rules for conduct to be followed. Elaine (I want to call her Elaine, she feels like a friend) diligently follows those rules and can sometimes come across as a bit boastful of the friendships she's made and how her neighbors on Des Martyrs have embraced her. To her credit, she works diligently to create those relationships, and this book is not only about life on her street, but a lesson in how to get along with people, even in intimidating circumstances. She is fearless in meeting people and wins them over with thoughtful gifts and questions, that none can resist her charm. She also describes her missteps lest we think that everything worked out perfectly for her.

Besides meeting her neighbors, we also meet Paris arrondissement culture and how they work to preserve the artisanal way of life, the depth of history in that amazing city, and the people who make up the city. It's a perfect book to read to escape daily life or to plan your own trip to the City of Light.

What a joy this book was. Each chapter reads as almost a stand alone story. The characters from Rue des Martyrs appear throughout the book, but the chapters don’t necessarily build on top of one another.

Elaine shares the magic of living on and enjoying everything about the street. You’ll fall in love with the fishmongers, cheesemongers, and greengrocers while falling even more in love with the City of Lights.

Whether you’ve been to Paris a thousand times or it’s on your bucket list, I recommend this lovely read about a single street in Paris. Imagine if every street in Paris had it’s own book.

“Some people look at the rue des Martyrs and see a street. I see stories.” p. 1

All that was needed for this wonderful book to catch my attention was the first sentence. I have been visiting Paris through books off and on for more than a year, but even more importantly, Sciolino was promising me stories. My hopes for this book rose accordingly. After finishing her book, I feel that Sciolino more than met her promise.

When I meet people, whether in books or in real life, I want to know their stories. I want to know what makes a person tick, what her life is like and what his background is. Sciolino does a great job of telling what the rue des Martyrs is like now and how it got that way. Along with the history of the street, she introduces her readers to the people who live and work there now. I feel like they are all people I would like to meet in person.

John Baxter, whose stories of Paris I have also been reading, introduced me to literary Paris. Famous people are part of what Baxter talks about in his city of lights. Sciolino has narrowed her focus to one street. Famous people are part of her book; however, she includes more of the residents of the street. These are average Parisians. I enjoyed meeting them and learning a bit about normal life in Paris.

If you have been to Paris, or are just an armchair traveler, I think you would enjoy meeting the author and her neighbors. Sciolino’s style is light and breezy and her tale whisks you away to an interesting place. Her story is worth reading.

Thank you to W. W. Norton & Company and Edelweiss for allowing me to read this book before publication.
informative inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

A little ambling for my taste, but this is just the kind of book my mom would get into. An easy read about the food, people, and experiences that make a place what it is.