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A review by katiegilley
The Paris Winter by Imogen Robertson
The Paris Winter by Imogen Robertson is heralded as a fast paced thriller set in Paris in 1909-1910. Maud has moved to Paris to go to art school, but she quickly realizes how expensive Paris can be. The previous winter was very difficult for her - she ate too little and used very little heat in order to save money, but this led to an illness that never quite lifted and ended up costing her even more money.
A classmate, a wealthy girl from Russia, introduces her to a kind woman at a job agency that finds the perfect solution for her: a man is looking for a companion for his younger sister. He'd like someone to help her improve her English, and stroll through the streets of Paris looking at fine art. After meeting the pair, everyone quickly agrees that this is a match made in Heaven and Maud moves into their luxuriously warm and spacious apartment. But as soon as she moves in, she realizes that things are not as they seem and she gets swept into Paris' underground world of drugs and deception.
I enjoyed this book very much. I wouldn't describe it as a fast paced thriller, but there was a bit of a mystery about it all and it did feel like something of a whirlwind. What I loved about this book was the setting. Imagine yourself in a dusty attic studying with one of the greatest art teachers of all times; sacrificing every penny that you have to ensure that you get the best possible education before setting out on your own as an artist. Imagine walking through the streets of Paris in 1910 - it would be incredible! With this book, you get a little snapshot of that life, which I fell in love with.
A classmate, a wealthy girl from Russia, introduces her to a kind woman at a job agency that finds the perfect solution for her: a man is looking for a companion for his younger sister. He'd like someone to help her improve her English, and stroll through the streets of Paris looking at fine art. After meeting the pair, everyone quickly agrees that this is a match made in Heaven and Maud moves into their luxuriously warm and spacious apartment. But as soon as she moves in, she realizes that things are not as they seem and she gets swept into Paris' underground world of drugs and deception.
I enjoyed this book very much. I wouldn't describe it as a fast paced thriller, but there was a bit of a mystery about it all and it did feel like something of a whirlwind. What I loved about this book was the setting. Imagine yourself in a dusty attic studying with one of the greatest art teachers of all times; sacrificing every penny that you have to ensure that you get the best possible education before setting out on your own as an artist. Imagine walking through the streets of Paris in 1910 - it would be incredible! With this book, you get a little snapshot of that life, which I fell in love with.