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It's All Zoo: A Paris Love Story
New York Times
-bestselling author Gerald A. Browne's stylish debut novel about a pair of unlikely lovers in 1960s Paris
It's not the prostitutes who are keeping Lillian awake. She may share her apartment building with a bordello, but the sounds that seep through the walls do not bother her. Ever since her boyfriend left her, taking her heart and all her clothes, the Paris nights have been unbearable. And so she takes refuge in the only place she can be Sascha's, where the insomniacs of Paris go to drink, dance, and fall in love.
There's Mr. Bread, a slumming millionaire. There's Big Red and Elsa, a couple who can always be relied on for a good time. And now there's Graham, a hopelessly square American whom Lillian decides to take under her wing. As the days and nights of swinging Paris spin into a blur, this gang of romantic expats must fight to stay together, or risk coming apart at the seams.
It's not the prostitutes who are keeping Lillian awake. She may share her apartment building with a bordello, but the sounds that seep through the walls do not bother her. Ever since her boyfriend left her, taking her heart and all her clothes, the Paris nights have been unbearable. And so she takes refuge in the only place she can be Sascha's, where the insomniacs of Paris go to drink, dance, and fall in love.
There's Mr. Bread, a slumming millionaire. There's Big Red and Elsa, a couple who can always be relied on for a good time. And now there's Graham, a hopelessly square American whom Lillian decides to take under her wing. As the days and nights of swinging Paris spin into a blur, this gang of romantic expats must fight to stay together, or risk coming apart at the seams.
- GenresFiction
255 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1990
284 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Gerald A. Browne
18 books16 followersGerald Austin Browne (born 1924, in Connecticut, USA) is an American author and editor.
Browne was raised in Litchfield County, Connecticut. He attended the University of New Mexico, The Sorbonne and Columbia University, where he won several literary awards. His first novel, It's All Zoo, was written while he was living in Paris and working as a fashion photographer. His bestselling novels include 11 Harrowhouse, Green Ice, 19 Purchase Street, Stone 588, and Hot Siberian, several of which have been made into films. He lives in New York with his wife, Merle, a model and actress, as well as the co-author of a novel entitled The Ravishers.
Browne was raised in Litchfield County, Connecticut. He attended the University of New Mexico, The Sorbonne and Columbia University, where he won several literary awards. His first novel, It's All Zoo, was written while he was living in Paris and working as a fashion photographer. His bestselling novels include 11 Harrowhouse, Green Ice, 19 Purchase Street, Stone 588, and Hot Siberian, several of which have been made into films. He lives in New York with his wife, Merle, a model and actress, as well as the co-author of a novel entitled The Ravishers.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 6, 2015
"Don't Blow Your Cool Baby"
I remember reading this for the first time when I was still in College and thought that it was the saddest thing I’ve ever read that time. I thought about it for the longest time because the conclusion of the story was just too heartbreaking. I feel so bad for Graham at first, the American expat who fell for Lillian but his affection was never reciprocated until it’s too late. Now, the question here – was it Graham at the end? That was the only positive thing about it where I felt like I could get comfort from – knowing that perhaps it’s not “yet too late” for Lillian.
After all, it’s Paris and everyone’s in love!
I remember reading this for the first time when I was still in College and thought that it was the saddest thing I’ve ever read that time. I thought about it for the longest time because the conclusion of the story was just too heartbreaking. I feel so bad for Graham at first, the American expat who fell for Lillian but his affection was never reciprocated until it’s too late. Now, the question here – was it Graham at the end? That was the only positive thing about it where I felt like I could get comfort from – knowing that perhaps it’s not “yet too late” for Lillian.
After all, it’s Paris and everyone’s in love!
April 13, 2023
I’m rating this a 2 solely based on the ending. It made me so annoyed that our two main characters only find one another when they’ve completely changed for the other person to unrecognizable proportions. Overall the book was alright, it was a meandering and seemingly pointless story with no plot, minimal world-building, and weak characters. The message if you will behind the story felt very much like an example of unhealthy relationships and how changing your entire countenance for another person isn't advisable. After thinking about it, I'm almost inclined to give this book 1 star. Just not my kind of book perhaps.
April 23, 2023
Amusing, entertaining, and light, “It’s All Zoo” by Gerald A. Browne tells of the unromantic romance between hip expat Lillian and square Graham in 1960’s Paris. Published in 1968, the language is naturally dated, as is the atmosphere, but it won’t matter once you start reading. The story is fun, the characters are compelling, and it goes by way too quickly. 221 pages have never seemed so short!
Lillian is an insomniac who lives in the only private apartment inside a brothel. Recently single after her boyfriend Dieter left her for Germany, she spends nights hanging out with her hip and eclectic friends. There’s Fat Mother Queen; Pero, the painter; Elsa and Big Red, who are continually getting married to each other; and Mr. Bread and Davinia. When Pero gets arrested, Lillian asks the others to donate cash to free him. She meets Graham and his antiseptic girlfriend Priss when he pops up to offer the entire amount she needs.
Graham is the square to Lillian’s hip with his cropped hair and all-American suits. He’s nobody who interests Lillian, but he falls in love with her as quick as a wink. With his girlfriend out of the country, he devotes himself to Lillian, who attempts to transform him into someone cool. Despite toe-curling sex and his boundless adoration of her, Lillian never returns his love and ends it when Dieter returns. By the time she realizes she is in love with Graham, it’s too late. He’s too hip. She’s too square. It’s impossible to not be delighted by what happens next.
More of a farce than a romance, “It’s All Zoo” charmed me in its own way from the very first page. I laughed out loud at times. (There’s a dwarf who looks up skirts.) I blushed at others. (There’s plenty of sex in the book, both male/female and female/female.) And I will never forget the characters. (Such as Elsa and Big Red who finally stopped getting married.) All in all, “It’s All Zoo” is a highly enjoyable read. The only problem after finishing a book like it is finding one to read next.
Lillian is an insomniac who lives in the only private apartment inside a brothel. Recently single after her boyfriend Dieter left her for Germany, she spends nights hanging out with her hip and eclectic friends. There’s Fat Mother Queen; Pero, the painter; Elsa and Big Red, who are continually getting married to each other; and Mr. Bread and Davinia. When Pero gets arrested, Lillian asks the others to donate cash to free him. She meets Graham and his antiseptic girlfriend Priss when he pops up to offer the entire amount she needs.
Graham is the square to Lillian’s hip with his cropped hair and all-American suits. He’s nobody who interests Lillian, but he falls in love with her as quick as a wink. With his girlfriend out of the country, he devotes himself to Lillian, who attempts to transform him into someone cool. Despite toe-curling sex and his boundless adoration of her, Lillian never returns his love and ends it when Dieter returns. By the time she realizes she is in love with Graham, it’s too late. He’s too hip. She’s too square. It’s impossible to not be delighted by what happens next.
More of a farce than a romance, “It’s All Zoo” charmed me in its own way from the very first page. I laughed out loud at times. (There’s a dwarf who looks up skirts.) I blushed at others. (There’s plenty of sex in the book, both male/female and female/female.) And I will never forget the characters. (Such as Elsa and Big Red who finally stopped getting married.) All in all, “It’s All Zoo” is a highly enjoyable read. The only problem after finishing a book like it is finding one to read next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2024
Tickled a corner of the brain with 60’s Parisian grunge. Such a bizarre book that I was really hoping for a twist at the end & was worried it wasn’t gonna happen, but the last page pulled through.
September 5, 2016
2.5 stars actually...this is Browne's debut novel and shows the beginning of his writing prowess. He has the quirky female protagonist in Lillian, who is a hippie living in Paris. His male protagonist is Graham, a straight-laced, uptight man who falls in love with her.
Set in the early 1960s, she is trying to remake him in her own image of what a groovy guy would be. Changing his clothes, changing his posture, and changing his life until he leaves at her instigation. But once alone, she changes her opinion of him and is sorry for it.
Will she ever see him again? And if she does, what will be his reaction?
Set in the early 1960s, she is trying to remake him in her own image of what a groovy guy would be. Changing his clothes, changing his posture, and changing his life until he leaves at her instigation. But once alone, she changes her opinion of him and is sorry for it.
Will she ever see him again? And if she does, what will be his reaction?
July 16, 2023
I wish I would’ve read the reviews before starting this book, I only checked it out because it said “best selling author.” I’m not sure if I would even characterize this as a romance, how minimal the characters actually were romantic. Very random yet boring storyline, with an abrupt ending.
Read
April 18, 2017test
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2023
Descriptions of Paris are the only worthy parts of the read.
January 29, 2024
NMCOT
March 26, 2025
A bittersweet 1968 Paris romance between a young hippie model named Lillian and a square archaeologist named Graham. They're hopelessly mismatched. Despite this, they enjoy a whirlwind romance until problems arise when Lillian becomes frustrated with Graham's inability to change, grow his hair long, and embrace her hippie lifestyle.
The book, Browne's debut, is lightweight entertainment; it feels like a breezy French New Wave romance you might stumble upon on Kanopy. Despite delving a bit into prostitution, marijuana use, domestic abuse, and the Vietnam War, the book never gets dark or cynical. It's got American ex-patriots, Sixties slang, Parisian culture, eroticism, superficial politics, and not much else. Oh, there is a treasure hunt for lost gems in an archeological dig in the center of Paris, which presages Browne's subsequent novels that were obsessed with diamonds, emeralds, and pearls.
The book somewhat mirrors Browne's own life experience; he wrote the novel while working as a fashion photographer and living in Paris with his wife Merle, a model and actress. It's a fast read; I finished it in less than a day.
Why the incongruous title? Graham doesn't know what to do on a Sunday without Lillian. She suggests the Louvre Museum, but he doesn't want to see it without her. He asks her if Paris has a zoo. Lillian responds, "It's all zoo," thus the title.
After this book, Browne switched genres and carved out an enormously successful niche for himself with a series of bestselling thrillers and heist novels, usually involving precious gems. Three of his best books that I’ve read are 11 Harrowhouse, Green Ice, and 19 Purchase Street, which are so entertaining that I’m sure I’ll read them again.
The book, Browne's debut, is lightweight entertainment; it feels like a breezy French New Wave romance you might stumble upon on Kanopy. Despite delving a bit into prostitution, marijuana use, domestic abuse, and the Vietnam War, the book never gets dark or cynical. It's got American ex-patriots, Sixties slang, Parisian culture, eroticism, superficial politics, and not much else. Oh, there is a treasure hunt for lost gems in an archeological dig in the center of Paris, which presages Browne's subsequent novels that were obsessed with diamonds, emeralds, and pearls.
The book somewhat mirrors Browne's own life experience; he wrote the novel while working as a fashion photographer and living in Paris with his wife Merle, a model and actress. It's a fast read; I finished it in less than a day.
Why the incongruous title? Graham doesn't know what to do on a Sunday without Lillian. She suggests the Louvre Museum, but he doesn't want to see it without her. He asks her if Paris has a zoo. Lillian responds, "It's all zoo," thus the title.
After this book, Browne switched genres and carved out an enormously successful niche for himself with a series of bestselling thrillers and heist novels, usually involving precious gems. Three of his best books that I’ve read are 11 Harrowhouse, Green Ice, and 19 Purchase Street, which are so entertaining that I’m sure I’ll read them again.
June 29, 2024
Personally, this book was not for me. I had a hard time relating to the characters, and throughout most of the book, I didn't even really like the main character. One of the main themes was changing who you are for another person, and I just don't believe that love can be present when you want to change the main aspects of someone's personality and their main beliefs. I also had a hard time tracking during some parts, with narrator changes and time jumps (I'm not sure if this is just the digital version). I will say that the descriptions of the main character's thoughts and feelings were good and helped me understand more about her. Overall, just not my cup of tea.
July 31, 2023
This was a random book I found while perusing Libby on La Fete Nationale (Bastille Day) and because it had the Eiffel Tower on the cover and the description looked intriguing, I decided to give it a go. I felt like I was reading a mashup of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Roman Holiday, and even a little bit of Sabrina. It was feckless in the best way, with super groovy prose and with an unlikely romance that if you can stomach the reality of it was rather sweet.
February 25, 2024
what was this?
The storyline was difficult to follow. New characters enter and disappear, but no descriptive reasoning as to why/how. There were a lot of scenes that could have used more descriptive writing. The love scenes were vague and used pronouns to define what was happening. Overall, I was lost throughout the book and kept helping loose ends would tie up, but it never occurred.
The storyline was difficult to follow. New characters enter and disappear, but no descriptive reasoning as to why/how. There were a lot of scenes that could have used more descriptive writing. The love scenes were vague and used pronouns to define what was happening. Overall, I was lost throughout the book and kept helping loose ends would tie up, but it never occurred.
May 25, 2024
A want-to-be “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” without the strength of characters.
At first you think that the book is about being in a relationship and changing to be what the other wants. The problem is the change is too dramatic, unbelievable, and out of character. Holly Golightly never changed (until the movie came along).
Favorite part of the book = “You’re a freak. Not a bad freak, but still a freak.”
At first you think that the book is about being in a relationship and changing to be what the other wants. The problem is the change is too dramatic, unbelievable, and out of character. Holly Golightly never changed (until the movie came along).
Favorite part of the book = “You’re a freak. Not a bad freak, but still a freak.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2023
I just didn't enjoy the writing style. I get that it was set in the 60s but using 'bread' for money and all the other terms sounded forced and dated. I got 40% through and I'm just not enjoying it. It took way too long for the characters described in the summary to meet and now I don't even care what happens to them
April 22, 2018
Really felt like I was in that era. The dialogue was so on point. A really great love story that takes place in Paris.
July 1, 2023
A quick read, but a little disappointing. Expected more.
July 27, 2023
If I could give this book a 0/5 rating I would. It was terrible. I didn’t even finish it.
June 5, 2024
It was okay, some parts were fun though. I say a 2.15…
September 13, 2024
It’s clever but a bit depressing. The commentary/‘essage seems to be on how people change themselves to find live. But it was a bit extreme in this case. I wouldn’t call it a love story.
October 20, 2024
This book annoyed me. The characters were unlikable and the ending was abrupt and stupid.
June 29, 2023
DNF. Selfish, unlikeable, sex-obsessed characters living lives of dissipation. Boring and obscene.
March 7, 2025
This was a delightful quick read. The immersion in 1960's Paris expat culture was fun and interesting. I enjoyed the social commentary and touch on the politics of the time and place. The contrast between the free-spirited female and the straight-laced male and the way they resented their differences, and tried to change one another made for a sad story. I enjoyed all the supporting characters.
July 24, 2010
Good book, very dated language and atmosphere. The "hip" characters acted like jerks, but Graham kind of got revenge on Lillian in the end.
July 2, 2016
A guilty pleasure from my teenage years. I'll have to reread it to see if it lives up to my memories.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews