Mrs Harris Goes to Paris and Mrs Harris Goes to New York

By: Paul Gallico

Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson

Mrs Harris is a salt-of-the-earth London charlady who cheerfully cleans the houses of the rich. One day, when tidying Lady Dant's wardrobe, she comes across the most beautiful thing she has ever seen in her life - a Dior dress. In all the years of her drab and humble existence, she's never seen anything as magical as the dress before her, and she's never wanted anything as much before. Determined to make her dream come true, Mrs Harris scrimps, saves and slaves away until one day, after three long uncomplaining years, she finally has enough money to go to Paris.

When she arrives at the House of Dior, Mrs Harris has little idea of how her life is about to be turned upside down and how many other lives she will transform forever. Always kind, always cheery and always winsome, the indomitable Mrs Harris takes Paris by storm and learns one of life's greatest lessons along the way.

©2010 Paul Gallico (P)2022 W F Howes

Critic reviews

"Mrs Harris is one of the great creations of fiction - so real that you feel you know her, yet truly magical as well. I can never have enough of her." (Justine Picardie)

"It is almost impossible not to succumb to Gallico's spell." (Times Literary Supplement)

"Wherever she goes, Mrs Harris seems to sprinkle fairy dust over those she meets. Yet she's very realistically drawn, and the book is fraught with painful setbacks.... In the end, Mrs Harris' yearning for the dress is secondary. The friendships that are made because of her quest are what change her life forever. This book was a delight from start to finish." (Worthwhilebooks.blogspot)

A delight

Indulge yourself in dreams and life and live a little in fantasy and reality. Worth it. Made me smile and enjoy
my life more too.

Very enjoyable

We enjoyed this book having seen the movie recently. They fit together ver well, thank you

bad editing

I'm struggling to finish this audiobook, I love the story but the heavy breathing noises are very distracting, I couldn't use headphones, I have to listen in my phone with very low volume. But I keep at it because I love the story, It's so easy to edit out the breathing noises!

Delightful listen

Juliet Stevenson did a superb job of entertaining me with this delightful story (actually two delightful stories). I didn't give the story 5 stars (or overall) because there are some cultural attitudes that are a bit dated, in particular what women want (I think many women would be horrified at the idea of spending so much money on a dress, even women who might have that much money, and having beautiful things is something that some people, of whatever gender, strive for, and some people have other priorities). But putting the cultural aspects aside, these are cozy type stories and brilliantly performed. (The movie added some interesting twists that are not in the book.)