Paris

this book was definitly a waste of my time, energy and money. although it had good descriptions of the settings, the plot was confusing and the end stunk

It's not his best but it's still a lot better than most of the stuff out there, especially in the historical name-drop genre. If you haven't already, try the top of his form -- "Miss Lizzie" "Wilde West" (remember the cowboy at Wilde's grave?)-- and then see if you don't want to e-mail his publisher begging for another fix. Meantime, there's "Masquerade" an entertaining enough sequel to "Eascapade" and featuring the same characters but not quite up to the same level. With all that thorough research I know he does, I was a little disappointed at what Walter left out of his dance through the seamier side of Paris in the 20s. Oh yes, there's ex-Pinkerton, Phil and the gushingly ambiguous Jane and, oh yes, Walter nails the outrageous American ex-pats but what about the artists, the great lesbian hostesses, what about more pages? Is he saving all of this for the sequel? I hope so. And I hope it happens soon.

This a delightful historical piece, set in the 1920's in Paris. It is, in form, a murder mystery, but the mystery itself is really the least of the attractions of the book. Satterthwait obviously enjoys history, and can dig out the really neat stuff and present it in a delightful, funny and very readable style. I was completely engrossed by the charming characters, each of whom speaks in a unique voice, and all of whom say very funny things. Historical figures including Hemingway and Gertrude Stein (and an equivalent of Agatha Cristie) are encountered along the way, and their depictions are extremely interesting, and from I can tell, quite accurate. Somehow Satterthwait makes the appearance of these characters in his book seem entirely natural, and he makes them come alive with their own concerns and interests.

Satterthwait also provides an insightful and evocative characterization of Paris between the wars, a time that has always interested me. This is the time of flappers in America, and we meet their representative in France as the widow of one of the murder victim (oh yes, this is a murder mystery...) It is a time of desperate fun and vigorous intellectual life, but meanwhile the shades of Naziism are starting to descend on Europe. We learn about a Nazi fundraiser in France, and her friends, lovers, fellow-travelers and contributors. It is a time of relative social freedom, and the book takes us on an interesting side trip into the Parisian lesbian community.

One of the book's narrators is a classic hardboiled American Pinkerton, who is perfectly paired with an verbose and expressive Frenchman, who is a dilletante detective and an obsessive gourmet and bon vivant. Their dialogue is worth the price of the book. The other narrator is a vivid young Englishwoman, well educated but down on her luck and enlisted by the Pinkertons, and she writes of her adventures in delightfully crafted, witty letters to her best friend. You don't see much of the epistolary form of literature anymore, and Satterthwait has taken the opportunity to revive it and put it to his own uses.

Escapade (the predecessor of this book) is very good, but I think Masquerade is even better. I am waiting the next promised installment with bated breath, in which our narrators are scheduled to go to pre-war Germany and hob-nob with the Nazis.

We bought this book in the hopes of finding good cheap restaurants in Paris. Not so. This book was completely useless. The phone numbers of many of the restaurants are inaccurate, and some of the restaurants do not even exist anymore. Each time we tried to use this book to find a place to eat, we came up empty handed. In fact, we found some wonderful places just by walking around. I certainly would not recommmed spending your money on this book.

We have been living in Paris for the last 4 months and have tried to use this book with varied success. We have found may of the entries outdated. In fact the first two restaurants we tried to find no longer exist. Many of the "Eats" are by no means cheap (Paris is expensive anyway). There are lots of cheaper ways to eat well in Paris. We have had about the same luck trying places that look interesting.

I've taken this book with me on 2 trips to Paris, & enjoyed every recommendation that we followed from the book. (Actually had to buy the book twice since first copy was lost by a friend on their trip to Paris). It gives you a pretty good description of the environment/background of the restaurant, selects several good dishes worth trying, & lets you know if there's a prix fixe menu. It may be time for an update, but if you want to stay in a budget, you won't find a better guide for eating in Paris unless you have friends that live there.

Geriatric hardcore. It's unlike the rest Wharton's books which I liked very much. I wish I had missed it.

He's one of my favorite authors and several of his books make my all time top ten list...but this one, never. The voice is Wharton, but the progressive love affair was unappetizing to the point of nausea. Also, the climax may have been written as a hoax, it was that unbelieveably trite. The setting was described so beautifully I could see it, as could the blind heroine, through the painter's eyes. The concept of mutual other self actualization was intriguing. Its enactment was not. Perhaps I expected too much.

I took this lengthy audiobook on a long road trip through North Dakota with my girlfriend. When we got to our destination, we drove around and around the blocks listening to the book instead of going in. While I don't consider this the best book I've ever listened to, it has a way of engaging the mind that is provocative. There is a lot of sensitivity in the material and the reading of it. I'm 50 years old, so maybe this held more meaning for me. The mark of a good read is that it sticks in the back of the mind. This one definitely does so. I recommend this audiobook very highly.

The book is a useful supplemental resource but, contrary to the author's assertion that "no comprehensive how-to manuals" on renting were available, the book "Apartment in Paris: Renting, Roaming, Wining, and Dining" offers insights on how to live "la vie Parieienne" in various quarters of Paris based on the author's experience over the past eleven years. Written in the engaging style of a literary travel guide.

Samantha Puckett, travel reviewer for the St. Petersburg Times newspaper writes: Dade City travel writer Cynthia Lynn knows: When in Paris, do as the Parisians do. It's cheaper and it's more fun. Her book's title says it all--No More Hotels in Paris. Lynn tells us how and whom to call to rent an apartment instead of staying in a costly hotel; directions to the best open-air markets, and the best places to hang out with locals. No More Hotels in Paris is chock full of names, addresses and phone numbers and everything is easy to find.

No More Hotels in Paris reveals how to rent an apartment or house in Paris for a week, a fortnight, a month or longer. It also offers suggestions for exciting day trips inside and outside Paris, the best open air markets (including locations, days and times, and which Metro to take to get there); detailed information on superb Paris transportation systems; the location of all Paris Tourism Offices; essential stores and services in Paris; how to socialize with the "French Touch"; and what to see in each of the Paris neighborhoods. Now anyone can live like a Parisian and make memories to last a lifetime with Cynthia Lynn's book.

This brooding thriller is set in Paris played out by three Americans named Will, Pedro, and Jorie. Will abandons his Foreign Service post and returns to Paris to take up with an old lover named Pedro, who welcomes Will back after an absence of 7 years. The two then become involved with a diplomat's daughter, Jorie, who is mothering a Lebanese boy named Nico. When Nico is snatched away by a French Nationalist gang, the suspense begins. Finding the missing little boy becomes the main thrust of this story and from there on the story moves right along to its conclusion.

The story is interesting enough and keeps you turning the pages to the end, but I wish the relationship between Will and Pedro had been developed more fully, and with more detail. I would recommend this book, because Gadol's writing is very smooth and the words just seem to flow off the pages. The ending was unexpected and a real surprise. All in all a good read.

This book was very much counter to my expectations; I picked it up as a "gay novel" but found it was about people -- some of whom happened to be gay -- caught in a story that was absorbing and very evocative of time and place. Unlike some readers who found the characters less than compelling, I felt the relationship between Will and Pedro was well delineated, and if we don't "know" Will, well, neither does Pedro. We make the discovery together. The book is much like a film noir, innocent people drawn into events they can't control by a chance encounter that changes their lives. It even evokes the black and white of film, describing a grey, wet, threatening city that is a far cry from the Paris of travel posters. A beautifully written little book.

Light at Dusk is not an epic tale of love or politics and it doesn't pretend to be. Rather, it's a pretty conventional but well-told and fast-paced exploration of a reunion between two former lovers which is overshadowed and ultimately marred by the darkening political circumstances of a France which has succumbed to the xenophobic, ultranationalistic and racist elements which have been nibbling at its mainstream over the last twenty years. Just after being reunited, Pedro and Will are once more separated when Will goes off to find the son of a former classmate, apparently kidnapped by the gangs who roam the streets of Paris, instilling fear. Not only does Gadol make the foreign service seem very appealing but his is a very rare take on gay relationships. He concentrates more on the relationship itself rather than the antecedents of the culture in which it is grounded, perhaps not the model form of gay writing but one which is refreshing and different. Light at Dusk- with its sad but redemptive ending- is an accomplished novel of the kinds of compromises, political, cultural, and most importantly, romantic, which are made in difficult circumstances. The novel is an swift read made easier by Gadol's engaging style. A quick, satisfying read.

This book is an enjoyable read, but so is the newest edition (June, 2000) of the book, No More Hotels In Paris: How To Find Alternative Accommodations by Cynthia Lynn, which is loaded with much more factual information and as well more about the lifestyle of the Parisian--and the publisher, Newjoy Press offers periodic updates on the apartment rental listings and other changes that may occur which the reader should know, all at no charge. And it's very portable too.

Apartment in Paris is not only useful but fun. Kloman takes us by the hand as we experience the restaurants and shops, sights and sounds that make Paris the very special place it has been for Americans, especially since the 1920s. The book is convenient as well as informative. Just the right size to fit easily in the pocket of a jacket.

I will be going to Paris for about 3 months in the late summer. I am very interested in the web sites mentioned by the reviewer from Charlottesville, VA. Thanks for any information

There is a certain type of writing, most often seen in magazines, that seems to admire itself as it goes along. In this book, from the beginning with the baby being born, through the characters who just don't seem to be appealing...it is a kind of "yuppie literature"...that you read and you ask yourself, "Why do I not like this?"

I am sure Kafka is a good writer. But I found myself disliking this book more and more. It was like meeting a person at a cocktail party who at first seems interesting....but as the evening goes on, you gradually learn this person is not only shallow, but incredibly egomaniacal.

I really ended up having a strong dislike towards this book. But I gave it 2 stars to be a good sport.

Recently I read "Love: Enter" for the second time and remembered how much I enjoyed Paul Kafka's heartfelt observations and innovative character portrayals. The protagonist, Dan, truly wears his heart on his sleeve, as he falls in love with three people and a city all at once. Worked into an innovative frame, "Love: Enter" may be quick to read, but will not be quick to leave one's memory.

One thing that's glaringly obvious to me now is how quickly dated the technology has become: Dan writes on an obviously now-obselete computer.

This book is at least 5 or 6 years old. I'd love to see what Paul Kafka is up to in the future.

Every element of Paul Kafka's writing rings true. The first person narration is effective, and even though it is written from the p.o.v. of a young man, it does not seem skewed towards a male prerogative. This novel encompasses so much in its relatively short span-- romance, realistic narration, travel, and even a bit of magic and folklore in the form of a peripheral but important character. While this book makes a lasting impression it is anything but hard to read. It is all around an enjoyable experience that you will come back to.

We studied this book most of the spring and went to Paris the end of May.

This book nearly ruined our long anticipated trip to Paris. The metro map and the map showing some of the restaurants are wrong. The recommendation to go to the Hippopotamus restaurant chain was also a bad idea (cockroaches in the kitchen and bad service). In general the description of how to do things (i.e. ride the metro, storing valuables in the hotel, getting hotel reservations, etc.) is wrong.

The descriptions of most of the tourist sites were OK. But other travel guides are more interesting and complete.

So if you want to be lost in a foreign land with unsanitary food... this book is for you!!! If you are looking for some intelligent help and good suggestions look elsewhere.

Some quick advice:

1. Get a Paris Visa for the metro, RER, and buses. Those maps are excellant. Realize the stations that have transfers between different metro lines and RER are very big and require long walks.

2. Get a Museums and Monuments Pass. It saves time and money, and has a great list of tourist sites.

3. Finding good food is very easy. Walk around and read the menus posted at the doors.

4. Throw the "Paris for Dummies" book in the ... before you leave.

We were surprised after lugging Frommer's, and Michelin books to Paris that 'Dummies' gave the best recommendations. Restaurants were out of the way places, few tourists, polite (as Parisians can be) service, and excellent food at reasonable prices.
The maps were adequate even for amateur mapreaders. Metro info was good. Open hours for all sites we visited was correct.
The tip to visit Notre Dame was a winner. We showed up at 8 AM to a deserted cathedral all to ourselves. We passed by there later at 11 and it was mayhem.
This being the better guide was indeed unexpected.

I looked at several travel guides of Paris and found that this one had the most practical advice and suggestions. The metro stop information on each point-of-interest and accomodation suggestions by neighborhood was invaluable. It made our travels around Paris much easier. I also highly recommend taking the bike tour of Paris, which is listed in this book. It was a lot of fun! Ignore the clothing advice though, people in Paris do where blue jeans!

This book has comprehensive information. It offers more than some other books.

I do wish this book weren't so dry and encyclopedic. I prefer the Fodor's Paris book because it gives more than a dry description. Fodor's gives a first-hand account of actually being in the restaurant/hotel/attraction. Fodor's also gives more information about where to find the best values, the most interesting experiences, and how to get the best service.

This book is better than Rick Steve's guide, but not as good as Fodor's.

I bought this book, and also Rick Steves guide to Paris. This is the book we consulted to get around on the Metro (what stops for what destination), and for places to eat in the various parts of town. The bad thing about this book is that it does not give detailed "touristy" information about the various spots. This books is more concerned about getting you there, making sure you a place to stay and places to eat! So you need a rudimentary guide to explain what you're seeing, when it was made, who made it, etc. Rick Steves has some of this. Basically, this book is excellent for logistics, but not for much else.

I used this book for a recent trip to Paris and thought it was great. The hotels were spot on, the attractions info. was comprehensive, and I loved the fact that it gives me a "best of" in the beginning of the book. That's totally cool. Overall, I thought it was a great book.

This book holds some useful information for families traveling to Paris. However, the presentation of the book holds little promise of finding that information quickly. There is no index, so it is extremely difficult to look up specific subjects. Although I certainly appreciate books with a biting attitude and strong opinions, unfortunately, this book contained a lot of platitudes that simply took space where more valuable information could have gone. With all due respect to the author, his quips weren't humorous and only made it more difficult to find the helpful information that is all-too-often buried. I think he was trying to combine a reference book with a narrative style, but the result would have been more successful concentrating on one over the other.

Information is too scattered. In chapter two (Coming Home to Paris), there is a great suggestion of renting an apartment (which I've done and highly recommend), yet only in another section of the book does it gives suggestions on where to look for that apartment. After conducting a great deal of research on this topic myself, I will say that the author's suggestions on rental agencies are some of the more expensive options. Personally, I found the best deals when dealing with owners directly, thus bypassing all commissions.

It's rather surprising that a book on Paris for families contained nothing about finding temporary childcare for a parents' night out. Although this is not applicable or important for every family, a book on families traveling to Paris should have some mention of childcare, which this did not (unless it were somehow missed -- yet it cannot be easily found without an index). There was also no mention of where one can find items that travelers with children may need: diapering supplies, medicine, and any special foods.

Also surprising is the fact that the author strongly discouraged bringing any electrical equipment. Any frequent traveler knows that a small adapter on a hair dryer which converts to 220v power is really no big deal at all, and personally I've found that hair dryers are invaluable for helping to dry underwear or other clothing that may still be a bit damp from the previous night's laundering.

The book recommends taking traveler's checks to Paris and also converting US cash to Euros before the trip. I could not disagree more. It is expensive to cash traveler's checks in Paris, that is, when one can even find a bank that will cash them; many will not. Also, I've found that it is usually more expensive to pay for Euros in the States than simply using an ATM machine in Paris.

The books also warns of the long lines at the Tour Eiffel but gives no ways to avoid them, which I found disappointing. My solutions: pay for a moderately inexpensive city tour of 2 hours which includes the Tour Eiffel - the tour guide leads you past hordes of tourists who have been waiting for hours while you walk right past them and up the tower. Another way is to go late in the day. Not only do you get in much quicker, but the Tour Eiffel at night is absolutely magnificent.

The book did contain some valuable information, including informing readers that when they emerge from the depths of the Catacombs, they are on a completely different street from the entrance! It is easy to get lost, but the book gave easy directions to find the way back to the Metro.

As one who has traveled to Paris numerous times (twice with children), I simply can't recommend this as a reference book at all because of its organization and complete lack of index. But if you sit down and read it cover to cover and make lots of notes, then the book may be useful in planning a trip to Paris with the children. However, I would highly recommend reading one of the major travel guides (personally, I prefer Time Out, Lonely Planet, DK, and Let's Go) in addition to this book, as there is much information that is simply not included that a traveler needs to know before arriving in Paris.

THIS PARIS GUIDE BOOK HAS NO INDEX. Unless you ALREADY KNOW Paris, you won't be able to use this book to look up areas, suggested sights to see, nor any other specific travel information that you may need. Family trip planning NEEDS indices to make the planning easier. Our family used the London For Families book extensively, both when planning and later as a reference book when traveling in London. I was really excited to learn that the Lains were publishing a Paris Guide for families. It was very disappointing to find that an index---which these days requires nothing more than a computer program---wasn't provided. Without an index this book gets a 2 star as nothing more than a nice read with some ideas for family excursions in Paris.

My husband and I actually took our three kids (ages 9,8,6) to France last year for three weeks. We were in Paris for a week.

I thought this book was one of the best I'd ever read about traveling with children. It is a book that helps you understand the philosophy behind successful family travel. Great tips on budgeting, packing, scheduling and how to avoid killing each other. It also functioned as a "what to see guide" and it gave us great suggestions about things to do in Paris.

I'd recommend it to anyone who is planning a big trip with children even if you are going no where near Paris.