Paul

A Novel

By: Daisy Lafarge

Narrated by: Eva Feiler

A New York Times Editor's Choice

"A magnetic, atmospheric, razor-sharp work."—Aysegül Savas, author of Walking on the Ceiling and White on White

An insightful look at a young woman’s search for meaning, independence, and belonging in the face of a consuming relationship

Frances is an English graduate student bruised by a messy breakup. On the spur of the moment, she decides to volunteer at a farm in rural France with the hope that the change of scenery will help clear her head. The farm, curiously named Noa Noa, is owned by Paul, an appealing, enigmatic Frenchman. Frances is charmed by his easygoing ways and by the area itself, both welcome changes from the life she has known. Yet the more time she spends in Paul’s world, the more unmoored she begins to feel. It isn’t long before murmurings about Paul begin to surface and she realizes how ill-equipped she is for the emotional battle of wills that is smoldering around her, one that threatens to silence and engulf her.

In Paul, Daisy Lafarge has written a perceptive exploration of the power dynamics between men and women, told in a fresh and exciting new voice.

©2022 Daisy Lafarge (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Lafarge is deft....and guide[s] by sustained, brooding tension."—The New York Times Book Review, Editor's Choice

"The story of a bright young woman ensnared by an older man is a familiar one. Poet Daisy Lafarge tells it well, in hypnotic prose, laced with the buzzing of insects, the burning of hot sun, the intensity of the man. It is a sensuous pleasure to read as this gaslit woman first loses, then slowly regains, her voice."—Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Larfarge uses the thoroughly contemporary story of a traumatized graduate on her European gap year to boldly reinterpret Gauguin’s life and legacy...the novel makes it impossible to separate the art from the artist. What, Paul asks us, is so fundamentally valuable about the artist’s work that we continue to view, sell, and celebrate it more than a century later?"—The Atlantic

Really enjoyed it, and it has stuck with me

This is a wonderful book and it was narrated well. The story of an impressionable young woman falling under the thrall of a charismatic man is one that rings all too true for many women. It was skilfully written, and has really stuck with me. I'm sure I'll listen to this again at some point, because it was so well done.

Good Story

I actually did not care too much for the narrator at first due to how monotone she sounded in some areas and over dramatic in other areas. But as the story continued her voice worked well with the main character and I think her style worked with the overall experience.

The story was really well written. There was a part I was a tad bit confused on but ultimately it leveled out and all made sense. The message is deep and something that is not spoken about. I really enjoyed the book. The author writes really well and I think it was told perfectly.