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An American Airman in Paris: A Historical Romance Short Story of War, Loss, and Hope
New York Times bestselling author Beatriz Williams introduces Octavian Rofrano, from her forthcoming new novel, A Certain Age, in this short story about a lonely American pilot in 1920s Paris and those he’s never forgotten.
Octavian Rofrano has never met the girl whose photograph was his constant companion through the long days and nights of the Great War. The promises he made to himself and that far-away image in the silence of his cockpit have never left him, but the anguish and loneliness of post-Armistice Paris has crept into his bones. One night, Octavian finally decides to lose himself in the sad beauty the City of Lights offers, but as reminders of that 11th day of November fill his mind, can he let go of past hopes or does the promise of salvation still have a hold on him?
Originally published in the moving collection Fall of Stories of Love and The Great War, this e-book also includes an excerpt from Williams’ new novel, A Certain Age, coming in June 2016.
Octavian Rofrano has never met the girl whose photograph was his constant companion through the long days and nights of the Great War. The promises he made to himself and that far-away image in the silence of his cockpit have never left him, but the anguish and loneliness of post-Armistice Paris has crept into his bones. One night, Octavian finally decides to lose himself in the sad beauty the City of Lights offers, but as reminders of that 11th day of November fill his mind, can he let go of past hopes or does the promise of salvation still have a hold on him?
Originally published in the moving collection Fall of Stories of Love and The Great War, this e-book also includes an excerpt from Williams’ new novel, A Certain Age, coming in June 2016.
55 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 17, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 29, 2020
I wanted to start reading a Certain Age and found out there was a prequel to the book. My library had this short story available via OverDrive.
I loved An American Airman in Paris. It's a quick read and a good introduction to Octavian who will be featured, from my understanding, in a Certain Age.
I loved An American Airman in Paris. It's a quick read and a good introduction to Octavian who will be featured, from my understanding, in a Certain Age.
May 22, 2016
A wonderful short story that is an enticing prequel to Beatriz Williams' novel A CERTAIN AGE. I loved the depiction of Paris in the aftermath of World War I. The decadence and sexual freedom is historically accurate and fascinating; as are the details Williams waves throughout the book on fashion, guns, and aircraft.
A must-read for those of us who want to read everything by Beatriz, and a great way to take Beatriz for a test-run (you're guaranteed to love her stuff!).
A must-read for those of us who want to read everything by Beatriz, and a great way to take Beatriz for a test-run (you're guaranteed to love her stuff!).
March 22, 2017
An American Airman in Paris was really quite good! Upon finishing, I was a little frustrated in the way that it ended only to discover that this was a prequel of sorts to A Certain Age by this author. What a great way to get me to read more, Ms. Williams! I can't wait to see what happens from here.
June 6, 2016
This was a nice short story. I love Beatriz Williams and this story was more emotional I think due to it being about the war and the tragedies that go with that. But there is a good ending and apparently this character plays a part in her upcoming novel, A Certain Age, which I look forward to.
May 18, 2016
I love that BW have us this quick introduction to Octavian. Short but not without emotion and impact.
I cannot wait for A Certain Age!
I cannot wait for A Certain Age!
October 25, 2016
Very good read!
This short story, taking place in 1920 in Paris, is an excellent look at the rationalizations behind bending morality in times of war.
This short story, taking place in 1920 in Paris, is an excellent look at the rationalizations behind bending morality in times of war.
January 3, 2019
Beatriz Williams is one of my favorite authors. What better way to start the New Year than to read this offering.
In this short story, the reader is introduced to Captain Octavian Rofrano, a character in Williams' book
A Certain Age.
At 11:13, on Nov 11, 2018, Rofrano is flying his airplane when he encounters a German Fokker. By two seconds past 11:18, his plane was diving toward the ground, engine smoking and undercarriage destroyed. He survived that crash, but lost the picture of a young girl that he had been carrying throughout the war. Without the hope this picture gave him, can he carry on?
Williams' prose, in this story, is captivating. Let me leave you with this one example:
"That you could actually purchase a human soul by the coin of mercy."
4 stars and A Certain Age is definitely planned for a 2019 read.
In this short story, the reader is introduced to Captain Octavian Rofrano, a character in Williams' book
A Certain Age.
At 11:13, on Nov 11, 2018, Rofrano is flying his airplane when he encounters a German Fokker. By two seconds past 11:18, his plane was diving toward the ground, engine smoking and undercarriage destroyed. He survived that crash, but lost the picture of a young girl that he had been carrying throughout the war. Without the hope this picture gave him, can he carry on?
Williams' prose, in this story, is captivating. Let me leave you with this one example:
"That you could actually purchase a human soul by the coin of mercy."
4 stars and A Certain Age is definitely planned for a 2019 read.
January 17, 2020
I found this short story in an "anthology" called Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and the Great War. And why did I choose to read this short story? Beatriz Williams wrote it based on a character in her novel, A Certain Age. It tells of Octavian in Europe after WWI.
It has been awhile since I read A Certain Age, but I remember some of the premise. But after just finishing the Wicked Red Head, I am trying to make the math add up with the years involved in all three installments.
While I didn't particularly enjoy this short story, I understand the reason for presenting this plot. the setting is rather grim, representing post WWI in Europe. I think you could read it before or after A Certain Age. Left wondering whether the German girl fell in love with Octavian. Did she not like her father?
It has been awhile since I read A Certain Age, but I remember some of the premise. But after just finishing the Wicked Red Head, I am trying to make the math add up with the years involved in all three installments.
While I didn't particularly enjoy this short story, I understand the reason for presenting this plot. the setting is rather grim, representing post WWI in Europe. I think you could read it before or after A Certain Age. Left wondering whether the German girl fell in love with Octavian. Did she not like her father?
November 17, 2017
Another one of my favorites in this collection and very different than the other airman story previously seen in Something Worth Landing For. It was darker, grittier, and dirtier in not only subject, but tone, language, and writing style. This story was also a bit different in that you are within the head of the main male narrator and told in retrospect. It’s a story of bravery in the face of things that go wrong and what that does to a person. Loved every minute of this and look forward to jumping into one of Williams’ full length novels soon.
This was read as part of The Fall of Poppies collection.
This was read as part of The Fall of Poppies collection.
September 20, 2017
An American Airman in Paris is the exciting prequel to Beatriz Williams' bestselling novel "A Certain Age." We meet dashing American pilot Octavian, dealing with his battle days and the aftermath of the war. As always, the author has done a FANTASTIC job of the historical dipiction of her setting; the fashion, the guns, the desperation of war are all amazing tid-bits that add to the charm of her work. This is a great little novella to test out a new author who is sure to keep you coming back for more!
January 19, 2020
Beatriz Williams once again creates sweet romantic tales in these well-paced short stories. If you've enjoyed her other works, you will definitely enjoy these short stories about love in World War I.
July 8, 2017
Great insight as to what Octavian went through and how the war ended for him. Also loved how fate play a role in his past setting up for his present.
September 21, 2017
An interesting story, written so one pays attention. Helpful to read before reading; A CERTAIN AGE so you understand the back story of Octavian (Boyo).
September 27, 2017
Decent read that has the possibility of being turned into a full length book.
July 3, 2018
I had already read A Certain Age - so I was trying to figure out where these characters fit in! Enjoyable story - BW never disappoints!
August 12, 2018
This led into another story. I liked the writing, but wouldn't read again, unlike others' of BW's works
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2020
A quick short story with an abrupt ending.
August 30, 2022
Don't bother.
March 6, 2017
This was a VERY short novelette that should be read after "A Certain Age". It adds some detail to the story in the novel.
July 1, 2016
I have the whole book but haven't gotten around to reading it. But when I started A Certain Age, Octavian is in it so I went to read this one story for more insight into the character. So make sure to read this story if you plan on reading A Certain Age.
May 21, 2016
As always, Beatriz Williams does not disappoint. She is a master at transporting the reader into whatever time period she choses. I loved this look into Octavian's story and cannot wait for A Certain Age.
June 23, 2016
A nice, if really quite short, short story about an American Airman in the First World War, which is actually a bit of setup/background for Williams' next novel.
September 4, 2016
A very short story. Read it because it was a prequel to A Certain Age. I would not recommend either.
October 23, 2016
Just a short story that's the prequel to A Certain Age . I like the main character aka The Boy . It's about what he encountered in Ww1
January 24, 2017
meh... a quick little vignette that serves as a prequel of sorts to Williams' "Of a Certain Age" that I'm now reading. Felt kinda silly to me, but it was so short that I didn't really care.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews