Scan barcode
tiffanyvokt's review against another edition
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
bubbaandlew's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a bit to get into this one, and I wasn’t sure it was for me, but I decided to follow the 50-page rule and I got sucked in just before I hit that mark. Probably would have finished sooner but I kept pausing to google all of the real-life characters on the periphery of the story.
bookswithmaddi's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
This book is impossible to rate. For most of it I was settled on three stars, but the ending was incredible albeit a little rushed. George's writing is beautiful and the imagery is stunning. However, I wasn't as wowed by many of the characters. I can't figure out if it was because I listened to this on audiobook or because the characters were so similar, but they all kind of blended together. Many of the main male characters were described very similarly and their lives were so complex and difficult to keep track of. The book was very detailed which isn't something I always appreciate especially when it drags things out or just becomes confusing. And then at one point the author threw in the "I'm not like other girls" trope for the only female character who's perspective we were able to follow which was blehh. Also, in order to emphasize the masculine appearance of Gertrude Stein, characters continually misgendered her which was a little weird and uncomfortable. On top of that, I found Marcel Proust's character really creepy when I think he was supposed to be endearing. I think my problems outweighed my love for the ending (which I'm realizing had A LOT of loose ends) so I'm settling on 3.5 stars. Although this novel actually has a lot of sequel potential.
There is no doubt that this novel is a masterpiece though. It was clearly well planned out and is historically accurate. I loved how it look place over 24 hours, and honestly that was the main selling point for me. I would honestly definitely recommend this book for an intriguing historical novel told from many perspectives.
This book is impossible to rate. For most of it I was settled on three stars, but the ending was incredible albeit a little rushed. George's writing is beautiful and the imagery is stunning. However, I wasn't as wowed by many of the characters. I can't figure out if it was because I listened to this on audiobook or because the characters were so similar, but they all kind of blended together. Many of the main male characters were described very similarly and their lives were so complex and difficult to keep track of. The book was very detailed which isn't something I always appreciate especially when it drags things out or just becomes confusing. And then at one point the author threw in the "I'm not like other girls" trope for the only female character who's perspective we were able to follow which was blehh. Also, in order to emphasize the masculine appearance of Gertrude Stein, characters continually misgendered her which was a little weird and uncomfortable. On top of that, I found Marcel Proust's character really creepy when I think he was supposed to be endearing. I think my problems outweighed my love for the ending (which I'm realizing had A LOT of loose ends) so I'm settling on 3.5 stars. Although this novel actually has a lot of sequel potential.
There is no doubt that this novel is a masterpiece though. It was clearly well planned out and is historically accurate. I loved how it look place over 24 hours, and honestly that was the main selling point for me. I would honestly definitely recommend this book for an intriguing historical novel told from many perspectives.
aprilcote's review against another edition
3.0
The writing is beautiful and meandering. It’s poetic and lyrical, so much so that the beauty of the story is often lost in the prose. This is a highly character driven novel with very little to hang a hat on unless you care about the outcome of the four main character’s individual plights. I was well past a third of the way into the book until anything of substance happened. The language was so indirect that I confused a couple of the characters until writing this review.
At that point, I was so over it that I have to admit, I didn’t care, I just wanted it to be over.
Once I finally got a really firm hold on who was who and why I cared, the book was finished. It was just done, just like that. The End. I felt it was a shame really to have built up that much character and backstory to have the tale hang as it did without much, if any, conclusion. There are some writers (Liz Moore) who can end a story without putting a bow on top and you still feel satisfied. To me, the melancholy subtext of each character’s story and the lack of wrapping things up made me feel empty.
full review: www.aprilsnovelthoughts.com
shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition
This is the story of four 'regular' folks on a day in Paris in 1927. The four don't know each other but their lives converge in a dramatic fashion at the end of the novel. All four had their lives irrevocably altered about 10 years ago mostly as a result of things that happened during the war. Marcel Proust, Gertrude Stein and Ernest Hemingway are also key figures in the story. The novel was an interesting listen, well read by Raphael Corkhill, with an ending that leaves you wondering.
ccriss12's review against another edition
1.0
Couldn’t go on any longer. Had zero interest in storyline if there even was one, zero investment in characters... maybe I’ll come back to it one day.
kelsey_mary's review against another edition
3.5
BOTM - remembered enjoying it when I read it but can't tell you anything about it now
sarahmelc's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ameserole's review against another edition
3.0
Just another BOTM book knocked off my TBR list.
The Paris Hours was good. It honestly took me a while to get into and even now, while I'm writing this review, I still don't think I actually found one character that I truly connected with. I did, however, think they were likable but I just wasn't 100% invested in their stories. Only a teeny tiny amount.
Now I liked getting to know everyone - Camille, Jean-Paul, Guillaume, and Souren. Each person brought something different to this book and I liked seeing what they went through in order to achieve their own version of happiness. As for some of the side characters, well, I sort of felt bad for some of them. Especially the lady who was annoyed that her husband said he missed his guy friends the second they came back from their little honeymoon. Like take a nap first sir. Then go drinking.
Other than that, I liked the book. It definitely made me think about the time I spent in Paris. Which, yes, I would go back right now with zero hesitations. I also enjoyed the lessons that each character went through. It wasn't always easy because escaping the past never is but it definitely made this a page turner for me.
In the end, I'm very happy that I got the chance to dive into this book and will definitely reread it in the future.
The Paris Hours was good. It honestly took me a while to get into and even now, while I'm writing this review, I still don't think I actually found one character that I truly connected with. I did, however, think they were likable but I just wasn't 100% invested in their stories. Only a teeny tiny amount.
Now I liked getting to know everyone - Camille, Jean-Paul, Guillaume, and Souren. Each person brought something different to this book and I liked seeing what they went through in order to achieve their own version of happiness. As for some of the side characters, well, I sort of felt bad for some of them. Especially the lady who was annoyed that her husband said he missed his guy friends the second they came back from their little honeymoon. Like take a nap first sir. Then go drinking.
Other than that, I liked the book. It definitely made me think about the time I spent in Paris. Which, yes, I would go back right now with zero hesitations. I also enjoyed the lessons that each character went through. It wasn't always easy because escaping the past never is but it definitely made this a page turner for me.
In the end, I'm very happy that I got the chance to dive into this book and will definitely reread it in the future.