I love a book about food. Throw in a little fashion and the setting of Paris, and I'm hooked. Ruth Reichl's extensive knowledge of food is expertly showcased in this novel as she tells the story of Stella whose estranged mother has left her a ticket to Paris as her inheritance. Stella finds her true self as she discovers why her mother wanted her to go on this adventure. Highly recommend. Thank you netgalley for this arc.

What a fascinating look at the literary salons and epicurean delights of Paris in the 80s. I enjoyed the visits with notable authors, chefs, and other celebrities of the time. Stella’s quest to find more information about an artist leads to discoveries in her own life that will have you intrigued. It wasn’t that the subject matter didn’t thrill me or that Stella wasn’t lovable, but for some reason this just didn’t hold my interest, regardless of all the wonderful things that happened throughout the book.

I loved this book so much!! Much of my pleasure I think was because I got to visit Paris last year and I loved reading about the places I’d seen, and learning a little history about them. It is a bit tropey & cliche, but in the *best* way. Another review I read described this book as “part fairy tale” and I couldn’t agree more. I loved reading about Stella’s journey from a rigid, unhappy person to someone who learned to take risks & trust people. And of course, the food descriptions were divine. No one can write about food & cooking like Ruth Reichl & parts of this book literally made my mouth water. And makes me want to go back to Paris ❤️

Something about this book just turned me off. I kept trying to back to it but I couldn’t finish it. I feel like the tone was off and it just didn’t do it for me, which surprised me because I’m always into tales of Paris, real or imagined. Perhaps I wasn’t the audience.

2.5 stars rounded up.

The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl was not for me. There is a scene very early on which disgusted me and I should have deleted this book at that point. This is Ms. Reichl’s second novel and she should probably stick to non-fiction.

The scenes in Shakespeare & Company and the food scenes are great but there’s just too much going on in this book that made it seem disjointed. Then it ended with a “romance” in the last couple of chapters.

Overall, this book just was not good to me.

Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for the advanced e-copy of #theparisnovel.

This book is like a fresh baguette just out of the oven. The way Ruth Reichl brought Paris to life took me back to my days growing up there. I didn't quite connect with Stella as much as with Billie in Delicious but it was still a very enjoyable read.

A jaunt through Paris, underscored by a mystery, sure to delight food and wine lovers! Reichl writes with such descriptive prowess-- I was definitely engaged, especially during the heroine's time spent at Shakespeare & Co.

This book made me want to immediately drop everything and book the next flight to Paris. I adored the weaving of real and fictionalized Parisians of the literary and food world and especially enjoyed the Tumbleweeds of Shakespeare and Company. The writing was simply delicious- I loved how descriptive the taste of all the different foods were and I simply had to put down the book to get my own bottle of Chablis to sip and savor. I do feel that this book was a tad longer than it needed to be and it could have been edited down. And the descriptive of the child abuse at the beginning of the novel did not need to be included at all and was incredibly graphic. But overall this was a lovely trip to Paris!

When Stella’s estranged mother passes away, she leaves Stella a ticket to Paris, and Stella finds herself on an unexpected journey. Alone in a foreign city for the first time, Stella tries to live cautiously the way she does back home. But gradually she begins to meet a cast of characters who encourage her to take risks. Stella ends up living as a tumbleweed in the famous Shakespeare and Company, tasting oysters for the first time, and delving into the world of 1980s Paris culture. It’s a novel about found family, taking chances, self-discovery, and the meaning of home.

Reichl takes readers on a journey of the senses with her descriptions of decadent meals and 1980s fashion, literature, and art. She immerses readers in a magical, romantic version of Paris that exists in our collective memory. While the plot felt a little contrived and dry for me, the descriptive language surrounding food and culture was beautiful. As a longtime reader of Reichl’s food writing, this was just what I hoped for.

I think anyone who loves Reichl’s nonfiction, loves food, or loves Paris will enjoy this. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

What better book to read to while in Paris than 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗟? It was wonderful hearing stories about some of the places we visited including Shakespeare & Company and Montmartre, and listening to the beautiful narration, especially the French, while walking through the city was perfection.

Ruth Reichl is a well-known food editor and restaurant critic so the descriptions of the meals in the book are vivid and made my mouth water. There's also a fashion angle (more Dior!) that I enjoyed but overall, I found this story and the writing lacking. Reichl describes a character as resembling a Modigliani drawing seven times, the pacing and the plot were all over the place, and there's a child sexual abuse subplot that felt unnecessary. I appreciated this novel for its immersive look at the City of Love but wish it had delivered more.

3.5

When Stella's mother dies, she leaves her a one-way ticket to Paris and some money and a note telling her not to come back home until she spends all the money. Her boss encourages her, insists really, that she go. She was not close to her mother and isn't sure why, be she decides to go.

Stella has a hard time in Paris, living frugally, not knowing anyone, until she goes into a vintage shop and tries on a Dior that not only fits her perfectly, but makes her look fabulous. The store owner convinces her to buy and if she is not happy 24 hours later she can return it for a full refund. She instructs her where to go eat and what to eat and this adventure has begun! She meets a lovely older widower over dinner and he ends up introducing her to a world of art and culinary delights that open her world.

The art investigation in this story along with quite a few other details are highlighted in the Author's Note that make this story endearing.

My thanks to Net Galley and Random House for an advanced copy of this e-book.

As a longtime fan of Ruth Reichl's exquisite food writing, I was thrilled to dive into The Paris Novel. This book is a sumptuous journey through 1980s Paris, following Stella as she navigates grief, discovers her passions, and explores the city's vibrant culinary and artistic scenes. Reichl's vivid descriptions of Parisian brasseries, delectable dishes, and charming characters brought the city to life in a way that only she can. As a fellow food writer, I found myself completely immersed in Stella's transformation and the rich tapestry of flavors and experiences she encounters. The Paris Novel is a beautifully crafted story that celebrates the joy of living deliciously and the magic of embracing life's unexpected adventures. Five stars for this enchanting, sensory feast of a book!

4.5/5
I love when a book leaves you wanting more. Not because it was lacking but because the story was so amazing! I adored The Paris Novel! I seriously wanted to climb inside and walk alongside Stella and Jules. Ruth Reichl has crafted a love story to food, fashion, art, and the City of Lights.

In The Paris Novel, Stella's safe and comfortable life is upset when her mother, Celia, passes away. While they were not close, Celia has left Stella a one-way plane ticket to Paris. After being forced to take some time off from her copy editing job, Stella is encouraged by her boss to use the ticket. Having lived her life abiding by her strict routines, Stella is lost with all plans out the window. Within the first few days, she steps into a small vintage store. The shopkeeper insists Stella try on a Dior dress that looks like it was made for her. After impulsively buying this dress she would have never worn in New York, Stella embarks on a delightful Parisian adventure.

I don't know how she did it, but Reichl has created a novel that is a feast for all the senses! Do yourself a favor. Put on some French music, make yourself a little charcuterie board, grab a glass of wine, and sit down with this magical tale of self-discovery. The Paris Novel will have you ready to book a trip, looking to get lost in the narrow, cobblestoned streets of the City of Love.

Read this if you like:
• Emily in Paris
• Foodie stories
• Self-discovery in beautiful cities
• 20th century historical fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC of The Paris Novel. As someone who has read other Ruth Reichl books and loved them, I was so excited to read her new novel. I could not have been more disappointed. This book was a struggle for me to even finish.
First of all, the child molestation that occurs at the beginning of the book is a HUGE trigger for so many people and it, clearly, was supposed to indicate why the main character has so many issues with having friendships or, even, a life while living in New York. The fact that this was made a part of the story, yet never addressed later seems like a big miss.
Second, the main character is someone who has never had an interest in food and specifically says she eats the most basic meals. Then she goes to Paris, where she meets an older man who pays for all of these expensive meal. Within one meal, she suddenly has the most incredible taste buds known and can pinpoint specific ingredients. HOW?!?! This felt ridiculous. I love the descriptions of the food, which felt like the only reason this book was even written. If this is what the author loves writing about, it shouldn't be in the form of a novel.
Finally, everything in the book just seemed to always fully right into place for her. Goes to Paris, meets people, is gifted free apartments to stay, meals to dine on, couture clothing and, as it seems, leading to romance. There is no struggle. You just knew it was going to go her way and it made the book boring.
While it pains me to give such a low review for a talented author, this book did not show her off in the best way possible.

If you're looking for a book that feels like traveling to Paris, The Paris Novel is the right one for you to read. Written by the incomparable Ruth Reichl, this fictional novel was a joy to read through. I've yet to visit Paris, but after reading The Paris Novel, I feel like I have a list of places that I absolutely have to visit. What Reichl did that was interesting is build a world in Paris where a lot of the characters, stores and restaurants are real people. In particular, the famous bookstore Shakespeare and Co. and the owner George Whitman are vital characters to the main character Stella's journey.

"The Paris Novel" beckons readers into a world where the tantalizing flavors of French cuisine, the allure of Parisian art, and the quest for self-discovery intertwine to create an unforgettable tale. Stella's journey from a timid soul to a spirited adventurer is beautifully narrated, drawing readers into the heart of her transformative experience.

From the moment Stella steps onto the streets of Paris, readers are enveloped in the sights, sounds, and aromas of the city. Through vivid prose, the author transports us to iconic locations like Les Deux Magots and Shakespeare & Company, where every encounter feels like a brushstroke on a canvas, creating a rich tapestry of Parisian life.

At its core, "The Paris Novel" is a celebration of embracing life's possibilities, even in the face of uncertainty and loss. Stella's inheritance of a one-way ticket to Paris becomes a catalyst for her journey of self-discovery, leading her to uncover hidden passions and forge unexpected connections with those she meets along the way.

The novel's exploration of food is particularly captivating, with descriptions so vivid that readers can practically taste the flavors jumping off the page. From the briny freshness of oysters to the decadent delights of French pastries, each culinary experience serves as a gateway to deeper emotional connections and revelations for Stella. Any aspiring food writers, this is a master class in food writing in fictional settings.

I’ve read a few of Reichl’s non fiction works so I was delighted to see that she was writing a new novel. Serendipitously, I was also read “Save Me the Plums”, and it was a joy to see the parallels between these two works. The Paris Novel completely swept me away! I felt connection to the main character and was happy to journey with her through New York and Paris. If nothing else, this should be read for the food descriptions - a true master class in showing, not telling. Everyone should snag this for the summer!

I am a huge Ruth Reichl fan and love all of her books, especially her autobiographical works. This novel is the lovely tale of a young girl exploring Paris and discovering herself in the process. It is a love letter to the beautiful sights and many delicious foods to be savored there. Stella's childhood is sad, and against her will, she travels to Paris in the 1980s. She finds a magical dress that unlocks a series of beautiful adventures. This book is a love letter to the sights and tastes of Paris. Reichl's writing moves you delicately and joyfully through Stella's story, leaving the reader feeling happy and sad for the main character. I recommend this book, especially to all who love Paris. Merci, Madame Reichl pour ce beau roman!

One reviewer said this book was "mothwatering" and it's the perfect description. A delicious book about Paris and food and fashion and love in the 1980s. Just a wonderful treat of a book!

Her first 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 her to a veritable who’s who of the 1980s Paris literary, art, and culinary worlds, Stella 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.

It’s not required by any means, but I highly recommend you read Reichl’s Save Me the Plums so you can appreciate the plot of this book – and the inspiration for the dress arc – even more.

After Celia St. James dies, she leaves a small inheritance to her daughter, Stella, with one caveat – she must use the money to go to Paris. Stella’s complicated relationship with her eccentric mother is weaved artfully throughout the novel as she embarks on her trip to Paris, but this novel is really about Stella coming into her own and exploring who she is in the world.

This novel is not a page turner – instead, it is something to be savored, something to take in, reflect on and understand the deeper meaning of Rechl’s writing. The way that she writes about food is otherworldly. The story of Stella’s time in Paris is so layered – its an exploration of self, of mothers and daughters, and of the twists in life that can turn out to be a beautiful adventure. This is not a novel that you will fly through – it can be slow at times – but it is so worth it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Four stars from this wannabe tumbleweed.