The Paris Novel

By: Ruth Reichl

Narrated by: Kiiri Sandy

Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A “mouthwatering” (The New York Times) adventure through the food, art, and fashion scenes of 1980s Paris—from the bestselling author of Save Me the Plums and Delicious!

“An enchanting and irresistible feast . . . As with a perfect meal in the world’s most magical city, I never wanted this sublime novel to end.”—Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, author of Good Company

Stella reached for an oyster, tipped her head, and tossed it back. It was cool and slippery, the flavor so briny it was like diving into the ocean. Oysters, she thought. Where have they been all my life?

When her estranged mother dies, Stella is left with an unusual inheritance: a one-way plane ticket and a note reading “Go to Paris.” Stella is hardly cut out for adventure; a traumatic childhood has kept her confined to the strict routines of her comfort zone. But when her boss encourages her to take time off, Stella resigns herself to honoring her mother’s last wishes.

Alone in a foreign city, Stella falls into old habits, living cautiously and frugally. Then she stumbles across a vintage store, where she tries on a fabulous Dior dress. The shopkeeper insists that this dress was meant for Stella and for the first time in her life Stella does something impulsive. She buys the dress—and embarks on an adventure.

Her first stop: the iconic brasserie Les Deux Magots, where Stella tastes her first oysters and then meets an octogenarian art collector who decides to take her under his wing. As Jules introduces Stella to a veritable who’s who of the Paris literary, art, and culinary worlds, she begins to understand what it might mean to live a larger life.

As weeks—and many decadent meals—go by, Stella ends up living as a “tumbleweed” at famed bookstore Shakespeare & Company, uncovers a hundred-year-old mystery in a Manet painting, and discovers a passion for food that may be connected to her past. A feast for the senses, this novel is a testament to living deliciously, taking chances, and finding your true home.

©2024 Ruth Reichl (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Reichl['s] . . . writing reads like a dish you want to savor, slowly chewing each perfectly chosen word as she describes the distinct experience of eating ortolan for the first time or sipping a red wine that tastes like ‘liquid rubies.’”—Eater, “The Best Food Books to Read This Spring”

“A delicious feast for the senses, taking the reader on an enchanting journey through the city of love, and following Stella’s adventure into a bolder, more beautiful life.”—Oprah Daily, “The Most Anticipated Books of 2024”

“[E]nticing . . . Reichl keeps the wine—and mouthwatering prose—flowing. . . . When a waiter drops an extra dessert on the table, better not send it back to the kitchen.”—The New York Times

Heart & Dreams

Started a bit slow for me, but I love a story with Paris as a background. The movement flowed as soon as the dress entered.

I don't remember why I downloaded this book...

but I am happy I did. I fell in love with the more I listened. It's not in my normal wheelhouse of listening material, I have ranged across the spectrum but there was something about this book. I loved how Stella seemed to blossom as she discovered Paris and it's people, taking her way out of her comfort zone. I loved the fashion, the food, the wine. I'd love a follow up to see how she's doing, how the restaurant is, how the supporting characters are.

Exquisite

This is only the second book bu Ruth Reichl I have listened to — this was so incredible I listened to it all in one day and am heart broken it is over.

Delightful!

The author takes you into a world that you want to be part of. You can taste the food in her writing and feel like you know the characters. I wanted to be transported to Paris and be Stella! Ruth Reichl is an incredible writer and I cannot thank her enough for her books! I devoured this book and couldn’t wait for the next chapter! Reading her work makes me happy! So happy!

What a wonderful walk through art, food and family

An easy and wonderful read. So detailed in description that I almost feel like I could taste the food.

Delightful,!

Ruth Reichl brought me there, to Paris, to the dress shops, to the restaurants, to the markets. The characters became important to me, The story became an intricate web. I love this type of book!

Really well done

The audiobook is so well done. The narrator pronounces French words correctly, and I think that makes the story so much more real and romantic. I enjoyed this story— descriptions of food and fashion and France, what’s not to like!

Good story, not so good reader

The story was entertaining. Takes you to Paris’ many delightful neighborhoods.. The food and wine descriptions transport you to wonderful French restaurants in Paris and around France. The discussions about art, writers and the Shakespeare Company were entertaining and enlightening. But the reader is too breathy and frequently injects unnecessary anxiety into the text with her tone. I wish she read more naturally how people actually speak.

Charming

Just a really great story of self discovery. The character development and plot was great. Loved it!

Love the sensuous description of Paris, fashion & good! Well written and well read!

Keep them coming Ruth! You are fun to read & get all my appetites super charged!