The Paris Trilogy: a Life in Three Stories

by Colombe Schneck

The Paris Trilogy A Life in Three Stories ABISBOOK Scribner UK.

Paperback

About the author

Colombe Schneck is documentary film director, a journalist, and the author of twelve books of fiction and nonfiction. She has received prizes from the Académie française, Madame Figaro, and the Société des gens de lettres. The recipient of a scholarship from the Villa Medici in Rome as well as a Stendhal grant from the Institut français, she was born and educated in Paris, where she still lives.

Reviews

[prostderpoesie]

colombe schneck has been marketed as „an author for fans of annie ernaux“ which made me buy the paris trilogy in paris‘s shakespeare & company. it‘s true: schneck is honestly tracing back to her abortion at age 17, encouraged to do so by reading ernauxs „the happening“. apart from that the three novellas deal with friendship, death, longing, her jewish history and her upbringing as leftist bourgeoise in the 1980s. it‘s beautifully written, i loved her exploration of female friendship. one must point out that there could not have been a bigger difference between ernauxs working class childhood and schneck being a heiress. as someone who deeply resonates with ernaux writing about class, schneck can‘t keep up to this social dissecting although she tries through the lens of the sociologist and i admire her awareness of her class privileges. worth a read, definitely! but maybe we could stop sell books of incredible female writers by always comparing them to other great women?

[millie amahlè]

I adored this book. It even made me cry whilst reading as it made me reflect so much.

The first chapter for me reminded me of myself in ways. Not because of the consequences that followed but because it allowed to picture myself in a different lifestyle. Just like her, I am 17, polite, I love to read book and bake and keep a small circle. However I haven’t had an abortion. This part of the book really touched me. It open up the doors to other girls my age’s perspective that I don’t always get to understand.


The second chapter made me emotional. The friendship morals were so strong and prominent. The bittersweet attachment and the intimacy between them two made me yearn for a bond like that, minus the sickening part.

Lastly, the third chapter reflected my relationship in love. The on and off, the unmagnetised surface but the strong force of love still present. I full related to every word. This part of the trilogy really showed me the meaning of true love and soulmates. Not always do you have to be wired the same, and not always do you have you live and breathe each other’s lives, and not always do you have to be together! Its the force of love and admiration that holds you together. The evens fitting into the odds.

[Anica Sarmiento]

An abortion at 17. Dealing with the death of dear friend. A love story.

I felt I was let in to the life of a chic, bourgeois French girl. This was an enjoyable read and very quotable, especially ‘Friendship’.

[exkly]

Really enjoyed this book. Ash got it me as a Christmas present.

I think the second story was my fave but there are a lot of beautiful passages throughout that will stick with me

[Tina moa]

love