The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl (2024 fiction)

If ever there was a summer novel to read, it is this one! Do you dream of spending some time in Paris? Do you love gourmet food? Would you consider becoming a “Tumbleweed” in the famed Shakespeare and Company bookstore? How about vintage clothes, possibly trying on a Dior? All of this is happening to Stella in 1983 whose estranged mother leaves her a ticket to Paris as her inheritance. For Stella, this is definitely out of her comfort zone. She is a copy editor for a small printing company who plans every moment of her life. Once she arrives in Paris, she begins to meet interesting people and tries doing things on the spur of the moment. Ruth Reichl, the author and former editor of Gourmet magazine and restaurant critic, of course places Stella in many culinary spots throughout the novel and her description of food few of us have regularly tasted add to the adventure. There is also a search for an artist which takes Stella to fascinating libraries and bookstores. Losing her hotel room, takes her to the famed Shakespeare and Company bookstore where George Whitman, the legendary owner allows her to stay in an alcove as a Tumbleweed, someone who stays for free, but does odd jobs as needed. There’s so much more—romance, looking for her father, but hopefully just this is tempting you. Please give this book a try. You know it can’t be real, but wouldn’t it be fun?

Reviewed by Robin Olivier