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writerlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
A series of essays by David Downie about Paris, the city and it's hidden treasures and not so hidden ones. The essay on Le Père Lachaise cemetery is exquisite. The book is a wonderful unusual guide to the city. If you've visited the city or are planning to visit it's a very nice way to plan your visit or to remember.
trilled_meow's review against another edition
4.0
This is a collection of essays about Paris. They're divided in essays on places, people, and events. The stories, history, and other info in the chapter are told while Downie basically provides thematic itineraries at the same time. I was planning to go to Paris in July (but now with Coronavirus, we'll see, I guess). Anyway, I learned a lot about the city.
There was a great essay on Les Halles and the modern buildings that replaced it and other historic areas. To my surprise, I really enjoyed learning some of the strange modern buildings, and of course the outrage, history, and politics surrounding them. It made me add some of these to my list of places to visit, even if just to gawk, which I would have overlooked.
There was a great essay on Les Halles and the modern buildings that replaced it and other historic areas. To my surprise, I really enjoyed learning some of the strange modern buildings, and of course the outrage, history, and politics surrounding them. It made me add some of these to my list of places to visit, even if just to gawk, which I would have overlooked.
lifebetweenwords's review against another edition
3.0
Gol-LY it took me long enough to read this. Because every chapter is an essay of its own, there were some I loved, some that were ok, and some that didn't capture me at all. I will say that having never been to Paris, or even France, some of what Downie talks about were hard to follow. One might appreciate this book even more if they were more familiar with the city. But I do hope to go someday, and I will definitely revisit this book when that day comes. It'll come. It has to come.
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review
5.0
You may think you know Paris, but do you know the secret Paris, the less well-known places in Paris that are a part of the city's history? David Downie, together with his wife, photographer Alison Harris, takes you to these places...Père-Lachaise cemetery...boats on the Seine...a museum to Modigliani...Buttes-Chaumont Park...Coco Channel...the beginning of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela...lighting of the city...cafe life...thirty-one beautiful visits around Paris in time and space.
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