Audrey in Paris

by Caroline Young

A charming, illustrated gift book combining two timelessly stylish subjects - Audrey Hepburn and the city of Paris. Both classic, both inimitable, both fashion icons - Audrey Hepburn and Paris are a match made in heaven. Falling in love with the city at a young age, Audrey returned to Paris again and again in some of her most celebrated films ( Sabrina, Funny Face, How to Steal a Million, Charade ) wearing outfits from her favourite Parisian couturier, Hubert de Givenchy, and creating some of the most significant fashion moments of the twentieth century. Audrey in Paris brings together over 100 stunning photographs of her most iconic moments in the city, from film stills and behind the scenes shots to candid images of Audrey enjoying the city as a visitor. The book will also include fun tips on exploring Audrey's Paris yourself, along with an illustrated map showing her favourite spots. While dozens of successful books on Audrey have been published, this will be the first to document her time in the city of light. Tapping into Audrey's status as a fashion idol, which spans across the generations, as well as Paris's status as the world's capital of elegance, Audrey in Paris will combine the gifty charm of How to be Parisian Wherever You Are with Audrey's forever appeal as a fashion muse. Gorgeous finishes will make this a stylish gift book to be treasured for years to come.

224 pages, Hardcover

Published February 20, 2024

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.
Caroline Young read English at Cambridge University and taught English in Greece and the UK before joining Usborne as a writer and editor. She has written books about a huge variety of subjects, for all ages, and believes it's one of the best jobs in the world. Caroline lives and works on Anglesey in North Wales.

Reviews

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love Audrey, if you love Paris, if you love gorgeous photos of this beloved actress in the City of Light, you will adore AUDREY IN PARIS. Such a treat!

[Holly Linnea Ödblom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don’t even know if you can call this a book it felt very I got this as an assignment from my superiors and chat gpted all the information about Audrey Hepburn’s films

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eye catching book with great photos and layout, but substance really isn’t there. More of an overview of her life in film versus details or investigation about her experiences in Paris outside of that

[Inés · Rating 5 out of 5]

nunca me cansaré de leer sobre Audrey, y menos si es en relación con mi ciudad favorita

[Alison Orue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audrey in Paris by Caroline Young is a delightful tribute to the timeless elegance of Audrey Hepburn and her special connection to the City of Light. This beautifully crafted book explores Hepburn’s relationship with Paris—both as a muse and as a stage for some of her most iconic moments on and off the screen. Fun, fascinating, and deeply inspiring, this book not only celebrates Hepburn’s style but also reignites appreciation for her artistry and films.

Young’s writing captures the charm and allure of Hepburn’s Paris, blending biographical insights with anecdotes about her life and career. From her collaborations with legendary designers like Hubert de Givenchy to her unforgettable performances in Sabrina and Funny Face, the book reveals how Paris shaped Hepburn’s persona and became an intrinsic part of her legacy. The blend of historical detail with pop culture flair makes for an engaging read that will appeal to both devoted fans and newcomers alike.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its ability to inspire. As I read, I felt compelled to revisit—or in some cases, discover for the first time—Audrey’s classic films. Caroline Young doesn’t just document Hepburn’s life; she invites readers to immerse themselves in the world she inhabited. The descriptions of Parisian landmarks and fashion make it easy to imagine Hepburn strolling the streets of Saint-Germain or twirling in a Givenchy gown on the Seine.

The book is also a celebration of style, showcasing Hepburn’s ability to effortlessly embody sophistication and simplicity. Beyond her iconic wardrobe, Audrey in Paris highlights her poise, kindness, and the joie de vivre that made her a global icon. Young’s narrative strikes a balance between reverence and relatability, reminding us that Hepburn was not just a star but also a woman who loved art, culture, and beauty.

Whether you’re a lifelong admirer of Audrey Hepburn or someone curious to learn more about her connection to Paris, this book offers an enjoyable and inspiring read. It’s a perfect companion for fans of fashion, film, and French culture, and it may just send you on a binge of Hepburn’s greatest cinematic hits—just as it did for me.

[Sabelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely amongst one of the lesser Audrey biographies I’ve read, but I couldn’t resist taking it home from my visit to Shakespeare and Co.

Like others have mentioned, “Audrey in Paris” lacks a central thesis. It’s less about Paris (and even Audrey for that matter), as it is about Hubert Givenchy and the fashions of post-war Paris. There’s not much more you could gather from this book than you could a Wikipedia page. And furthermore, it should be noted that about half of this book contains poor summaries of films Audrey has starred in. I had naively assumed I’d learn of Audrey’s personal escapades in Paris, but rather, was only reminded of her films set in Paris. Just watch the films then. Her work with Stanley Donen are masterpieces and will show you more of Audrey’s love for Paris than this self-proclaimed biography ever could.

At best, “Audrey in Paris” reads like a high school report, at worst, it could be easily speculated to be a product of AI generation.

[Johannes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Someone reviewed it as "as if written by ChatGPT", and while I would not go that far, I do have to admit it is a book that is not easy to define, nor it is clear on its intention.

For starters, the title is indeed misleading, there is not that much of Paris, but on the other hand Hubert de Givenchy is mentioned constantly to the point he becomes the focal point of the narration. The book might have worked better as a photo book, with inserts now and then, rather than trying to keep the story going in a chronological order to just throw it all away on the last part.

The book, unlike its main protagonist, Audrey, is quite forgettable. Not even coffee book material, and that is truly a pity.

[Sasha-Leigh Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

The design of the book is absolutely gorgeous. I love that they added photos of her time in Paris and on movie sets. However, the writing of this book was not genuine. It felt like I was reading something off of Wikipedia. It does not describe her time in Paris and how much she enjoyed it. It is mostly giving summaries of her movies that were set in Paris and the characters she played. It was almost like the author copied and pasted everything from ChatGPT,vintage fashion magazines, and so on.

[Hazel R · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a pretty book filled with pretty photos. But it is dull, repetitive and lacking in detail or critique. I don’t feel as though I’m any clearer about who Audrey really was. A missed opportunity.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audrey and Paris. What's not to like ?

AH never lived in Paris but she was made for Paris is the idea of the book.

Hotel Raphael
Maxim's
movies, movies, movies
Hubert de Givenchy

[chloe margareth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is lovely!! Though I have to agree with the others’ reviews about this book. It focuses more on Audrey’s film projects and lacks the very essence of Audrey being in Paris herself. Although the photos were really nice, there were many of them that I haven’t seen before :)

One thing that I will never forget that was stated in this book was when Audrey wrote a letter to Hubert and the envelope was covered with reasons why she loves him all over it, it was so cute!! Their friendship is unmatched.

For someone who has read an Audrey biography book before and has seen the Audrey (2020) documentary film, the contents of this book was somehow predictable :/

[Elissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect way to start my new year, being able to mix my love of Paris, and love for Audrey together. I learnt to love Audrey through her eyes, and this book is a perfect example of that!!

Love, love, love!!