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akolar's review against another edition
2.0
I was hoping for a light hearted read all about the culture of Paris. I was expecting some tales about how difficult it is to transition from life in America to life in France.
Instead, it seems, I got a lot of complaining masquerading as “confessions”. The closest thing Vicki gets to a confession is when an older gentleman give her a foot massage at a benefit. Otherwise it is incessant griping about French internet, French bureaucracy, French co workers, etc. Here is a quick run down for the book: Arrive in Paris, complaint, complaint, drunk, drunk, drunk, complaint, fell due to drinking, complaint, oh the French! How annoying, get married. Also the book seems to be more about her love affair with booze than anything else.
I enjoy cocktails and I love Paris. If the author is as truly annoyed as she comes across, maybe she should leave?
I would give it a giant meh. I’m sure there’s a far superior expat in Paris story somewhere.
Instead, it seems, I got a lot of complaining masquerading as “confessions”. The closest thing Vicki gets to a confession is when an older gentleman give her a foot massage at a benefit. Otherwise it is incessant griping about French internet, French bureaucracy, French co workers, etc. Here is a quick run down for the book: Arrive in Paris, complaint, complaint, drunk, drunk, drunk, complaint, fell due to drinking, complaint, oh the French! How annoying, get married. Also the book seems to be more about her love affair with booze than anything else.
I enjoy cocktails and I love Paris. If the author is as truly annoyed as she comes across, maybe she should leave?
I would give it a giant meh. I’m sure there’s a far superior expat in Paris story somewhere.
tobelaura's review against another edition
5.0
'Confessions of a Paris Party Girl' is funny, witty and admirably honest. It was light-hearted and had me crying with laughter on several occasions. Vicki finds herself in some...odd.... situations, which many can relate to. I loved this book and intend to read it again. I hope to hope to hear of more books by Vicki in the future.
jillkt13's review against another edition
4.0
Oh how I wish the author's trials and tribulations in France didn't ring so true! But France is France--one of the most impossibly frustrating and impossibly lovely countries in the world--and life here is never simple but never boring.
This is a fun memoir that I gulped down in two hours. Vicki has a wonderfully chatty voice, though at times it veered a bit too informal for my taste. Reading this book was like talking with another expat friend over a pint of Kronenbourg. Miserable appointments to the immigration office followed by "strip! and take a lung selfie!"? Been there. French people wrinkling their noses asking, "Vous préférez que je parle en anglais, Mademoiselle?" Been there. Charming, self-assured Frenchies with zero knowledge of American geography who become your new BFFs over the course of a Friday night and numerous bottles of wine? Been there.
Alongside her fantastically recounted stories of French life, Vicki gave me encouragement that this whole France thing works out even in the darkest moments. This is a terrific ode to an exasperating country. For any expat, it will remind you why you persist on living here even when the Sécurité Sociale asks you to submit your birth certificate (apostilled, officially translated, and no less than 6 months old, of course!) for the fourth time in four months. For any Francophile considering a séjour in France, it will convince you to give it a try, but caution you about the inevitable struggles you'll encounter. A funny, happy, and informative read!
This is a fun memoir that I gulped down in two hours. Vicki has a wonderfully chatty voice, though at times it veered a bit too informal for my taste. Reading this book was like talking with another expat friend over a pint of Kronenbourg. Miserable appointments to the immigration office followed by "strip! and take a lung selfie!"? Been there. French people wrinkling their noses asking, "Vous préférez que je parle en anglais, Mademoiselle?" Been there. Charming, self-assured Frenchies with zero knowledge of American geography who become your new BFFs over the course of a Friday night and numerous bottles of wine? Been there.
Alongside her fantastically recounted stories of French life, Vicki gave me encouragement that this whole France thing works out even in the darkest moments. This is a terrific ode to an exasperating country. For any expat, it will remind you why you persist on living here even when the Sécurité Sociale asks you to submit your birth certificate (apostilled, officially translated, and no less than 6 months old, of course!) for the fourth time in four months. For any Francophile considering a séjour in France, it will convince you to give it a try, but caution you about the inevitable struggles you'll encounter. A funny, happy, and informative read!
redheadstorm's review against another edition
5.0
Let me tell you a thing or three about my new friend Vicki (granted she knows nothing of this friendship but more about that later). The best way I can describe this book is that it was like reading a long, hilariously intimate email from a close friend. So what happens when a 20-something girl from St. Louis (MISSOURI!) with a basic knowledge of french and a great appetite for adventure decides to move to the city of love (and great English speaking bars apparently), Paris? Well first of all you get a glimpse of the everyday life of the French through the eyes of an outsider, and as a bonus, a colorful cast of characters and loads of 'laugh out loud' moments (am I ever grateful that I read this book in the privacy of my own home).
One of my pet peeves when it comes to "chick-lit", lighter literature and such, is the fact that just because the subject matter is lighter (often more humorous) that often means that the entire focus is on the plot (and even that often leaves a lot to be desired) and not on the writing style and/or quality of writing. You can't imagine my relief when right from the start it was obvious that won't be the case with this book. The fact that I didn't have to stumble over poorly composed sentences meant that I could give my full attention to all of Vicki's adventures and misadventures. Plus, in case I ever decide to move to Paris I will be armed with an impressive knowledge of french bureaucracy (paper, paper and more paper) and great tips on how to handle apartment hunting in the city.
By the time you finish reading this book you too will feel that a) there simply has to be a sequel to this book and b) that Vicki is just another one of your friends. In my case, part 'b' was helped along by Vicki's ("barely noticeable") OCD, (takes one to know one) germophobia, humour and perceptive way of viewing (and describing) people and situations. (well the fact that every once in a while she ends up having just a few too many drinks will have many 20 something relating and many 30 and 40 something reminiscing) Now there's nothing else for me to do but hope and wait for the sequel.
One of my pet peeves when it comes to "chick-lit", lighter literature and such, is the fact that just because the subject matter is lighter (often more humorous) that often means that the entire focus is on the plot (and even that often leaves a lot to be desired) and not on the writing style and/or quality of writing. You can't imagine my relief when right from the start it was obvious that won't be the case with this book. The fact that I didn't have to stumble over poorly composed sentences meant that I could give my full attention to all of Vicki's adventures and misadventures. Plus, in case I ever decide to move to Paris I will be armed with an impressive knowledge of french bureaucracy (paper, paper and more paper) and great tips on how to handle apartment hunting in the city.
By the time you finish reading this book you too will feel that a) there simply has to be a sequel to this book and b) that Vicki is just another one of your friends. In my case, part 'b' was helped along by Vicki's ("barely noticeable") OCD, (takes one to know one) germophobia, humour and perceptive way of viewing (and describing) people and situations. (well the fact that every once in a while she ends up having just a few too many drinks will have many 20 something relating and many 30 and 40 something reminiscing) Now there's nothing else for me to do but hope and wait for the sequel.
hugollama's review against another edition
4.0
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
This was a fun, chatty read that I zipped through, giggling all the way. I too moved to France in my early 20's. I left 15 years later after signing several leases, getting married, and having three children, so many of her trials and tribulations dealing with language, customs and red tape rang oh so true. I look forward to reading more from her.
This was a fun, chatty read that I zipped through, giggling all the way. I too moved to France in my early 20's. I left 15 years later after signing several leases, getting married, and having three children, so many of her trials and tribulations dealing with language, customs and red tape rang oh so true. I look forward to reading more from her.
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