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From four stunning and accomplished French women -- at last -- a fresh and spirited take on what it really means to be a Parisienne: how they dress, entertain, have fun and attempt to behave themselves.
In short, frisky sections, these Parisian women give you their very original views on style, beauty, culture, attitude and men. The authors--Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, Caroline de Maigret, and Sophie Mas -- unmarried but attached, with children -- have been friends for years. Talented bohemian iconoclasts with careers in the worlds of music, film, fashion and publishing, they are untypically frank and outspoken as they debunk the myths about what it means to be a French woman today. Letting you in on their secrets and flaws, they also make fun of their complicated, often contradictory feelings and behavior. They admit to being snobs, a bit self-centered, unpredictable but not unreliable. Bossy and opinionated, they are also tender and romantic.
You will be taken on a first date, to a party, to some favorite haunts in Paris, to the countryside, and to one of their dinners at home with recipes even you could do -- but to be out with them is to be in for some mischief and surprises. They will tell you how to be mysterious and sensual, look natural, make your boyfriend jealous, and how they feel about children, weddings and going to the gym. And they will share their address book in Paris for where to go: At the End of the Night, for A Birthday, for a Smart Date, A Hangover, for Vintage Finds and much more.
How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are will make you laugh as you slip into their shoes to become bold and free and tap into your inner cool.
In short, frisky sections, these Parisian women give you their very original views on style, beauty, culture, attitude and men. The authors--Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, Caroline de Maigret, and Sophie Mas -- unmarried but attached, with children -- have been friends for years. Talented bohemian iconoclasts with careers in the worlds of music, film, fashion and publishing, they are untypically frank and outspoken as they debunk the myths about what it means to be a French woman today. Letting you in on their secrets and flaws, they also make fun of their complicated, often contradictory feelings and behavior. They admit to being snobs, a bit self-centered, unpredictable but not unreliable. Bossy and opinionated, they are also tender and romantic.
You will be taken on a first date, to a party, to some favorite haunts in Paris, to the countryside, and to one of their dinners at home with recipes even you could do -- but to be out with them is to be in for some mischief and surprises. They will tell you how to be mysterious and sensual, look natural, make your boyfriend jealous, and how they feel about children, weddings and going to the gym. And they will share their address book in Paris for where to go: At the End of the Night, for A Birthday, for a Smart Date, A Hangover, for Vintage Finds and much more.
How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are will make you laugh as you slip into their shoes to become bold and free and tap into your inner cool.
Paperback
First published September 2, 2014
1003 people are currently reading
16551 people want to read
About the author
Anne Berest
15 books590 followersAnne Berest is the bestselling co-author of How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are (Doubleday, 2014) and the author of a novel based on the life of French writer Françoise Sagan. With her sister Claire, she is also the author of Gabriële, a critically acclaimed biography of her great-grandmother, Gabriële Buffet-Picabia, Marcel Duchamp’s lover and muse. She is the great-granddaughter of the painter Francis Picabia. For her work as a writer and prize-winning showrunner, she has been profiled in publications such as French Vogue and Haaretz newspaper. The recipient of numerous literary awards, The Postcard was a finalist for the Goncourt Prize and has been a long-selling bestseller in France.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,965 reviews
January 7, 2016
I feel sorry for the people who have given this book one or two stars and completely missed the point.
This book is supposed to sound ridiculously pretentious and snobbish. It's not supposed to be taken seriously.
I absolutely loved it. As I read it, I could feel the irony and sarcasm dripping through the words written. I laughed out loud a lot while reading it, especially the times I recognized myself in some of the pages. I like to think of myself as someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously, but sometimes reading a book like this can be a good reality check when you start over-thinking everything you do.
If you love aesthetically pleasing books, sarcastic humor and appreciate people who can laugh at themselves, then I definitely recommend reading this.
This book is supposed to sound ridiculously pretentious and snobbish. It's not supposed to be taken seriously.
I absolutely loved it. As I read it, I could feel the irony and sarcasm dripping through the words written. I laughed out loud a lot while reading it, especially the times I recognized myself in some of the pages. I like to think of myself as someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously, but sometimes reading a book like this can be a good reality check when you start over-thinking everything you do.
If you love aesthetically pleasing books, sarcastic humor and appreciate people who can laugh at themselves, then I definitely recommend reading this.
September 5, 2014
This book should be given to every girl when she turns 20. It's full of advice on how to not turn out like Lena Dunham. One of the tips: spray your breasts with cold water at the end of your shower. Why? I don't know but it sounds very helpful. And may God help you if you move to the Provinces.
October 2, 2014
How to be a bltchy, game-player.
I read a lot of Paris-related books. Mostly because I like the attitude many Europeans have towards food, fashion and culture. This book might be true about the attitude and behaviors of French women but it's nothing I'd want to emulate. I put the book down after I saw that it suggested to send yourself flowers and list your sister in your phone under a man's name. WTF. If you want a lover, have a lover. Don't pretend. That's so immature.
I read a lot of Paris-related books. Mostly because I like the attitude many Europeans have towards food, fashion and culture. This book might be true about the attitude and behaviors of French women but it's nothing I'd want to emulate. I put the book down after I saw that it suggested to send yourself flowers and list your sister in your phone under a man's name. WTF. If you want a lover, have a lover. Don't pretend. That's so immature.
August 27, 2014
To quote from the Introduction of How to be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habits, “Parisiennes aren’t privy to a secret “skinny” gene, they aren’t always easy to be with, and aren’t all perfect mothers. In fact, they are very imperfect, vague, unreliable, and full of paradoxes. But they can also be funny, attentive, curious, and ironic and they know how to enjoy life.”
Having walked the streets of Paris, and seen for myself the seemingly uncalculated ways that Parisian women of any age seem to pull off womanhood, I want to know how they do it. If it’s not in their “jeans,” or coffee, then what are the rules that French women pass down to each generation, so there is a never-ending parade of fascinating, well-put together Parisians?
Four accomplished friends set out to do such a thing and with élan. If you only arm yourself with this guide to withstand 21st century onslaughts of lasers, fillers, Botox, and spinning class, you will succeed in embracing your inner-Parisian self whether you are in Hong Kong, or North Versailles, Pennsylvania.
How can this not be a charming guide to being a woman? Where else could you read such suggestions as “Be unfaithful: cheat on your perfume, but only on cold days” or “Go to the theatre, to museums, and concerts as often as possible. Culture is like eating fruit and vegetables: it gives you a healthy glow.” When was the last time that a style guide told you to get out of the stores and head to the museums?
The guide is divided into chapters such as Get the Basics, Own Your Bad Habits, Cultivate Your Allure, Dare to Love, and Parisian Tips. Each chapter has multiple vignettes--almost stream of conscience tips-- that shape the narrative of the book, and illustrated with gorgeous photos. There are suggestions for hosting a party and a list of what makes an ideal man—he may not be perfect but at least he really exists. There are even key recipes for Lemon chicken, Crepes, Pea and Carrot soup (for a winter Sunday) and a Chocolate Fondant that every Parisian should know.
This is a book that makes you feel like you are in a café, warming your soul with a coffee and good friends. There are no hard truths, except maybe that Paris women believe motherhood does not mean the end of nights out with friends and parties.
One of my favorite parts included a two-page color block that showed the colors of Paris in summer and winter. This had me holding the swatches up to the walls and imagining my office painted with such titles as “A soft sweater” with “Two hot chocolates” for the trim and maybe a bathroom in “Last summer’s little dress” with “A burst of laughter” or “An afternoon fling” for contrast.
Moreover, the girls don’t just focus on youth, but the eternal truths that are ageless—Parisians do not have plastic surgery-- imperfections are cherished as signs of strength of character, not a designer flaw. The face is kept natural with moisturizer and a little BB cream. Hair should never be dyed—keep the color you were born with. And Paris girls, never get a French Manicure—it’s the opposite of chic.
So wear your jewelry to bed, eat croissants and buttered toast for breakfast and be in love with love.
January 16, 2016
There is a quote in Ghost World that sums up this book perfectly: "obnoxious, extroverted, pseudo-bohemian art-school losers".
I like Caroline de Maigret. She was the reason I bought this book. I also love the idea of living in a romantic place like Paris (I have lived in Barcelona before and it was AMAZING. I miss that. I have visited Paris, but never fell in love with it. Only the idea of it. If that makes sense).
Well, this wasn't what I expected. AT ALL.
This book should be called "How to be a pretentious cheating asshole".
According to it, cheating is OK and they encourage it; you always have to look "f***able"; you have to be a feminist but let men be patronizing; and you cannot show your gums while speaking or smiling. Seriously, I'm not joking. As a dentist, I can GUARANTEE this is anatomically impossible for A LOT of people.
Towards the end it got slightly better, but still pretentious as hell. One of the bits that really got to me was about the books you should read (basically you have to pretend to be a lit snob, even if you hate it), and a picture with a bookshelf bursting with Proust, Decartes, Camus... seriously, NO ONE reads only those books. Unless, of course, they are pretentious losers who are trying to look cool.
I still don't get it if this is slightly a satire, but if it isn't... yikes.
I like Caroline de Maigret. She was the reason I bought this book. I also love the idea of living in a romantic place like Paris (I have lived in Barcelona before and it was AMAZING. I miss that. I have visited Paris, but never fell in love with it. Only the idea of it. If that makes sense).
Well, this wasn't what I expected. AT ALL.
This book should be called "How to be a pretentious cheating asshole".
According to it, cheating is OK and they encourage it; you always have to look "f***able"; you have to be a feminist but let men be patronizing; and you cannot show your gums while speaking or smiling. Seriously, I'm not joking. As a dentist, I can GUARANTEE this is anatomically impossible for A LOT of people.
Towards the end it got slightly better, but still pretentious as hell. One of the bits that really got to me was about the books you should read (basically you have to pretend to be a lit snob, even if you hate it), and a picture with a bookshelf bursting with Proust, Decartes, Camus... seriously, NO ONE reads only those books. Unless, of course, they are pretentious losers who are trying to look cool.
I still don't get it if this is slightly a satire, but if it isn't... yikes.
September 12, 2017
This is not a book to be taken completely seriously, yet at the end you feel like you have a picture of this Parisian, as decribed by the four authors: the style, the culture, the attitude, the men, plus some basic recipes and addresses. Plenty of photos and drawings are included, plus some short conversations.
Between 'facts', there are scenes: parties and dinner parties, at work, when pregnant or a mother, playing anonymous in your own city, at a wedding (hers), in the countryside (where one can sense she is a city person, though finds some good moments out of the city too).
This is a good mood-book, something I feel I can dip into again, later. Got a few good tips from within, though mostly I felt like looking inside a certain type of life. Like I've said, it's not a serious book yet it feels true. Now I feel like watching some French movies *grins*
Between 'facts', there are scenes: parties and dinner parties, at work, when pregnant or a mother, playing anonymous in your own city, at a wedding (hers), in the countryside (where one can sense she is a city person, though finds some good moments out of the city too).
This is a good mood-book, something I feel I can dip into again, later. Got a few good tips from within, though mostly I felt like looking inside a certain type of life. Like I've said, it's not a serious book yet it feels true. Now I feel like watching some French movies *grins*
January 4, 2015
This was a book that I thought I would really love. It is a kind of pseudo self-help style book, on how to emulate the class, sophistication, and style of the Parisienne in everyday life.
A lot of this book is of course tongue-in-cheek, but at the same time it made my toes curl with annoyance at certain points. I particularly didn't warm to or agree with a lot of the authors' takes on love, and in particular, cheating - going as far as to encourage it at points. The attitudes presented towards a partner in this book bordered on immature and selfish, teaching you in a sense how to toy with your man. This did not sit well with me at all.
Some elements of this book I did enjoy however, particularly the section of recommendations on places to visit around Paris for almost every mood, sections on how to take care of your skin and wardrobe essentials, and even the little short stories that were often comedic and sassy.
Overall however, I felt this book was a little throwaway, and the annoyance at the 'love' sections really did just take away a lot of enjoyment from the book that I could have experienced had they not been included. The book itself is beautifully made, with many beautiful photographs and illustrations throughout, but unfortunately I can't rate it higher than 2 stars for the aforementioned reasons.
A lot of this book is of course tongue-in-cheek, but at the same time it made my toes curl with annoyance at certain points. I particularly didn't warm to or agree with a lot of the authors' takes on love, and in particular, cheating - going as far as to encourage it at points. The attitudes presented towards a partner in this book bordered on immature and selfish, teaching you in a sense how to toy with your man. This did not sit well with me at all.
Some elements of this book I did enjoy however, particularly the section of recommendations on places to visit around Paris for almost every mood, sections on how to take care of your skin and wardrobe essentials, and even the little short stories that were often comedic and sassy.
Overall however, I felt this book was a little throwaway, and the annoyance at the 'love' sections really did just take away a lot of enjoyment from the book that I could have experienced had they not been included. The book itself is beautifully made, with many beautiful photographs and illustrations throughout, but unfortunately I can't rate it higher than 2 stars for the aforementioned reasons.
June 27, 2020
Loved this one. It made me laugh, think about things and realize that I'm at least 55% Parisienne because I normally do a lot of things that the authors of this book say The Parisienne does. It was weird to see I have some habits of Parisian women -even the rude ones. Yet it made me giggle sometimes, made me feel confident and amused too, hence the 4 stars.
October 13, 2014
Just as I suspected: overly "poetic" and self-congratulatory. Anyway I'm glad I hated it because I need to start posting some lower ratings to reestablish my credibility here...
April 19, 2015
I was given this as a Christmas present. With no idea what to expect from it, I approached it like a fashion magazine, keeping it to hand whenever I was in the kitchen, flicking through a handful of pages at a time and then forgetting about it for a while. That accounts for how long it took me to read it. But I really, really liked it, far more than I expected to. Sharp, sassy, insouciant and tongue-in-cheek - simply reading it automatically made me feel more Parisian.
And like pretty much every fashion book I've read, this has negative reviews on Goodreads for the stupidest reasons. If you take anything in this book relating to relationships/cheating seriously, you need help.
And like pretty much every fashion book I've read, this has negative reviews on Goodreads for the stupidest reasons. If you take anything in this book relating to relationships/cheating seriously, you need help.
July 22, 2021
How to be popular and impress all the popular girls, for women who should be old enough to know better. I guarantee that every woman who contributed to this book thinks that the, "If you can't handle me at my worst, you don't deserve me at my best" quote is genius. I have absolutely not clue who the target audience for this book is. Certainly no one over the age of 16. Parisians would hate it.
I understand that the book is supposed to be a joke, but it's not funny? They forgot the funny part.
I understand that the book is supposed to be a joke, but it's not funny? They forgot the funny part.
August 22, 2016
This book was a very simple quick read, and it was oh so enjoyable. i found myself laughing out loud at certain parts. Also, found a bunch of cool places to visit!!
June 21, 2017
This book is probably best suited for those who can understand its self-ironic and sarcastic sense of humour. If you don't get it, you might find it a bit cold, snobbish and pretentious. I don't think it was ever supposed to be taken completely seriously, but then again who knows? Maybe that's part of its charm- not being quite sure of what it is supposed to be about. This book is somewhat hard to describe, for despite the fact that it was written by four woman, it seems to be a work of a single author (albeit one that is prone to switch subjects all the time)- or maybe the four of them are such good friends they can end each other sentences? There is a bit of everything in this one, from French movie recommendations to lessons in feminism, but I ended up quite enjoying all that chaos. I would have preferred if the voices were a bit more distinct, this way I was left wondering who wrote what.
In many ways, it is a coffee table book but still you're left with this feeling there is a bit more to it than meets the eye. It is the kind of book that you can read pretty quickly, even if you're not a fast reader....or you can enjoy it slowly- which is perhaps more advisable. Filled with gorgeous illustrations and photographs, tasty recipes, tips on being chic, and chit chat about Paris , it is a pretty cute little thing for sure. Most of all, it seems to be a book about what it is like to be a woman in Paris. What I enjoyed the most were the chapters about motherhood. This idea that you shouldn't build your life around your child but make your child a part of your life, teach him about the 'joy of living', well that sounds a lot better than all that 'I live only for my child' moralizing, which is sometimes just a disguise for possessiveness and victim playing.
Is this book something that would appeal to everyone? I'm not sure, but if you have a thing for French culture, I think you're bound to enjoy it- at least a bit. However, if you've already read similar books, you might find it a bit repetitive. I mean what is else to add when it comes to the topic of French chic? There are hundreds of books written about it.
Truth be told, most of the chapters on Parisian culture weren't particularly insightful to me, but then again I do own a Garance Dore book and read her blog quite often, so I've already heard a lot about the specific Parisian 'frame of mind'. Moreover, I think that many things that are listed here as being particularly Parisian or French, are actually typical of most European countries. We all seem to love that 'no make up', 'going to theatre all the time', 'having hundreds of books in our home', 'cooking at home', 'refusing to share our recipes, claiming that something that took us 4 hours to cook is nothing really', 'organizing dinners that last until dawn', 'arguing passionately about everything'. As far as I noticed, those things aren't particular only to France.
Not that this book lacks a distinct French taste- but many of its ' French characteristics' are really European. Speaking of which, I'm pretty sure I would be able to feel at home in any European country- and I did feel at home reading this book- so much at home, that I might add it is one of the 'coziest' books I've read. I don't feel like I've learn a lot, but I didn't expect to, so all in all I'm quite happy with this reading. Perhaps the best way to enjoy it is to dive into it not expecting too much. On other hand, if you think this book is an actual handbook on how to be Parisian and you expect direct guidelines- you'll be disappointed.
More than anything, this book is a charming mix of profound (those passages on the importance of taking the time were ingenious!!!) and trivial (where to apply cold water- no thanks!). Some parts of How to be Parisian? were a bit boring, some were confusing (there are instructions on how to look like you're cheating when you're not and how to look you're not cheating when you're actually cheating- sounds like complicated stuff!) and some were quite poetic. Sounds confusing? It might, but really I think the book functions quite well this way. I would prefer a different editing, but that's just personal preference.
I liked the poetic passages the most- there is some beautiful writing to be found in this one and it made me long for more. However, I did enjoy the book as a whole. It is a light reading with a touch of depth and culture. Recommended to open minded readers who don't mind a bit of sarcasm and would like to know more about Paris. Not a great choice for those who like clearly organized books. This one is a bit all over the place, but that's a part of its charm. Not recommended to moralists and people who take themselves too seriously.
In many ways, it is a coffee table book but still you're left with this feeling there is a bit more to it than meets the eye. It is the kind of book that you can read pretty quickly, even if you're not a fast reader....or you can enjoy it slowly- which is perhaps more advisable. Filled with gorgeous illustrations and photographs, tasty recipes, tips on being chic, and chit chat about Paris , it is a pretty cute little thing for sure. Most of all, it seems to be a book about what it is like to be a woman in Paris. What I enjoyed the most were the chapters about motherhood. This idea that you shouldn't build your life around your child but make your child a part of your life, teach him about the 'joy of living', well that sounds a lot better than all that 'I live only for my child' moralizing, which is sometimes just a disguise for possessiveness and victim playing.
Is this book something that would appeal to everyone? I'm not sure, but if you have a thing for French culture, I think you're bound to enjoy it- at least a bit. However, if you've already read similar books, you might find it a bit repetitive. I mean what is else to add when it comes to the topic of French chic? There are hundreds of books written about it.
Truth be told, most of the chapters on Parisian culture weren't particularly insightful to me, but then again I do own a Garance Dore book and read her blog quite often, so I've already heard a lot about the specific Parisian 'frame of mind'. Moreover, I think that many things that are listed here as being particularly Parisian or French, are actually typical of most European countries. We all seem to love that 'no make up', 'going to theatre all the time', 'having hundreds of books in our home', 'cooking at home', 'refusing to share our recipes, claiming that something that took us 4 hours to cook is nothing really', 'organizing dinners that last until dawn', 'arguing passionately about everything'. As far as I noticed, those things aren't particular only to France.
Not that this book lacks a distinct French taste- but many of its ' French characteristics' are really European. Speaking of which, I'm pretty sure I would be able to feel at home in any European country- and I did feel at home reading this book- so much at home, that I might add it is one of the 'coziest' books I've read. I don't feel like I've learn a lot, but I didn't expect to, so all in all I'm quite happy with this reading. Perhaps the best way to enjoy it is to dive into it not expecting too much. On other hand, if you think this book is an actual handbook on how to be Parisian and you expect direct guidelines- you'll be disappointed.
More than anything, this book is a charming mix of profound (those passages on the importance of taking the time were ingenious!!!) and trivial (where to apply cold water- no thanks!). Some parts of How to be Parisian? were a bit boring, some were confusing (there are instructions on how to look like you're cheating when you're not and how to look you're not cheating when you're actually cheating- sounds like complicated stuff!) and some were quite poetic. Sounds confusing? It might, but really I think the book functions quite well this way. I would prefer a different editing, but that's just personal preference.
I liked the poetic passages the most- there is some beautiful writing to be found in this one and it made me long for more. However, I did enjoy the book as a whole. It is a light reading with a touch of depth and culture. Recommended to open minded readers who don't mind a bit of sarcasm and would like to know more about Paris. Not a great choice for those who like clearly organized books. This one is a bit all over the place, but that's a part of its charm. Not recommended to moralists and people who take themselves too seriously.
September 15, 2014
Ugh. Self-absorbed young women could actually be from anywhere.
February 16, 2017
Αίσχος καλέ συνάνθρωποι, αλλά για να χτίσεις, πρέπει πρώτα να μπαζώσεις.
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#readathon17 - [6/13]
• Ένα βιβλίο που δανειστήκατε
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#readathon17 - [6/13]
• Ένα βιβλίο που δανειστήκατε
July 17, 2016
Σε γενικές γραμμές δε ξέρω κατά πόσο μοιάζουμε οι Ελληνίδες με τις Παριζιάνες. Να, λοιπόν, τα συμπεράσματά μου από το βιβλίο αυτό: Οι Παριζιάνες, γενικά, θέλουν να νιώθουν άνετα. Αυτό σε καμία περίπτωση δε σημαίνει φόρμα, αθλητικό παπούτσι και μαλλί δεμένο κόμπο. Αντίθετα σημαίνει απλό αλλά σικάτο ντύσιμο, χαλαρά "φυσικά" μαλλιά, ελαφρύ μακιγιάζ, ελάχιστα αξεσουάρ και όλα αυτά μέσα στην πολύ σικ απλότητα που τις χαρακτηρίζει. Είναι επίσης κάπως μελαγχολικές, και τους αρέσει να παίζουν με τους άντρες, να μη δεσμεύονται με την αυστηρή έννοια του όρου, να ζουν πάντα μέσα στα πλαίσια της πόλης και να την κουβαλούν παντού μαζί τους.
Μέσα στο βιβλίο αυτό, βρίσκει κανείς ιδέες σχετικά με το ντύσιμο, τον τρόπο ζωής, αλλά και την κουζίνα, τη διακόσμηση, τις σχέσεις, τη μητρότητα, την πολύ καλή σχέση της Παριζιάνας με το βιβλίο, το σνομπισμό και τη μελαγχολία τους, και αν είστε έστω και λίγο σαν εμένα, μετά θα επηρεαστείτε και θα θέλετε να ντύνεστε λίγο πιο κομψά (για μια-δυο μέρες έστω) και να πίνετε ένα ποτήρι κρασί το απόγευμα μετά τον καφέ (και να σας κοιτάνε σαν εξωγήινη γιατί εσείς δεν πίνετε σχεδόν ποτέ!).
Τελειώνοντάς το (μέσα σε πολύ μικρό χρονικό διάστημα) μου άφησε ένα έντονο άρωμα Παρισιού, άσχετα αν συμφωνούσα ή όχι με το σκεπτικό της μέσης Παριζιάνας, και θα μου άρεζε σίγουρα να διαβάσω αντίστοιχα και κάτι του τύπου "Πώς να είσαι Νεοϋορκέζα/Λονδρέζα/Αθηναία όπου κι αν βρίσκεσαι". Να μια καλή ιδέα για σειρά βιβλίων που θα μας διασκέδαζε!
Διαβάστε περισσότερα εδώ.
Μέσα στο βιβλίο αυτό, βρίσκει κανείς ιδέες σχετικά με το ντύσιμο, τον τρόπο ζωής, αλλά και την κουζίνα, τη διακόσμηση, τις σχέσεις, τη μητρότητα, την πολύ καλή σχέση της Παριζιάνας με το βιβλίο, το σνομπισμό και τη μελαγχολία τους, και αν είστε έστω και λίγο σαν εμένα, μετά θα επηρεαστείτε και θα θέλετε να ντύνεστε λίγο πιο κομψά (για μια-δυο μέρες έστω) και να πίνετε ένα ποτήρι κρασί το απόγευμα μετά τον καφέ (και να σας κοιτάνε σαν εξωγήινη γιατί εσείς δεν πίνετε σχεδόν ποτέ!).
Τελειώνοντάς το (μέσα σε πολύ μικρό χρονικό διάστημα) μου άφησε ένα έντονο άρωμα Παρισιού, άσχετα αν συμφωνούσα ή όχι με το σκεπτικό της μέσης Παριζιάνας, και θα μου άρεζε σίγουρα να διαβάσω αντίστοιχα και κάτι του τύπου "Πώς να είσαι Νεοϋορκέζα/Λονδρέζα/Αθηναία όπου κι αν βρίσκεσαι". Να μια καλή ιδέα για σειρά βιβλίων που θα μας διασκέδαζε!
Διαβάστε περισσότερα εδώ.
March 25, 2015
What a god-awful book. Received it as a gift, felt obliged to at least try to read it. Sped read the entirety of it following the first page. It doesn't even really deserve one star, it's just complete garbage. The most Parisian thing about this book is the word Parisian in the title. Moby Dick was entirely more Parisian than this sorry concoction. Ugh, I need a brain cleanse.
April 2, 2016
Or, How to Be Unbearable Wherever You Are. As much as I admire French style and happily self-identify as a Francophile, I am not taking life advice from Parisiennes. This is just another poorly executed book from the cottage industry French People Have Better Lives than You. Disappointed. (But still really excited to go to Paris this summer.)
November 29, 2014
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habits is a somewhat strange book. It seems to be more decorative than informative - not because it has lots of pictures or a unique design, but because it doesn't exist so much to be read as glanced at and commented on. Almost like carrying Lolita around in the hopes someone will comment and think how cool you are to read Lolita, this book is more about the facade of what it means to be Parisian rather than something more in-depth. Does that make it bad? No, but a bit unfulfilling.
I have to admit that I did not realize this book is really geared to women when I first saw the title. Instead, I thought it would be a view into the culture of Paris and the people who make it unique. The book is actually a collection of items from the four different authors (Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, Sophie Mas, and Caroline de Maigret), ranging from lists, to make-up tips, to recipes, to condensed stories.
Perhaps too influenced by the blogging trend of top 10 lists, there are many, many lists of things on a topic: a list of aphorisms (from the generic, "be your own knight in shining armor," to the off-color, "always be f*ckable"), a list of Parisian Pantone colors, a list of "A Mother's Advice on Love." It is all just too cute, too preciously crafted to sound ironic and unaffected. The content isn't bad, just randomly thrown together under the umbrella of Parisian. Some of the short stories are actually quite memorable, like "1:00 P.M. First Date at the Cafe de Flore," and the imagery throughout is great, but the whole book is underwhelming in the end.
How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habits is a somewhat strange book. It seems to be more decorative than informative - not because it has lots of pictures or a unique design, but because it doesn't exist so much to be read as glanced at and commented on. Almost like carrying Lolita around in the hopes someone will comment and think how cool you are to read Lolita, this book is more about the facade of what it means to be Parisian rather than something more in-depth. Does that make it bad? No, but a bit unfulfilling.
I have to admit that I did not realize this book is really geared to women when I first saw the title. Instead, I thought it would be a view into the culture of Paris and the people who make it unique. The book is actually a collection of items from the four different authors (Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, Sophie Mas, and Caroline de Maigret), ranging from lists, to make-up tips, to recipes, to condensed stories.
Perhaps too influenced by the blogging trend of top 10 lists, there are many, many lists of things on a topic: a list of aphorisms (from the generic, "be your own knight in shining armor," to the off-color, "always be f*ckable"), a list of Parisian Pantone colors, a list of "A Mother's Advice on Love." It is all just too cute, too preciously crafted to sound ironic and unaffected. The content isn't bad, just randomly thrown together under the umbrella of Parisian. Some of the short stories are actually quite memorable, like "1:00 P.M. First Date at the Cafe de Flore," and the imagery throughout is great, but the whole book is underwhelming in the end.
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November 9, 2020I’m a sucker for a self-help book that will inspire me to improve my life, but I’ll make no effort whatsoever to jump on the chance to better myself.
I’m also a sucker for learning about other cities’ cultures and reading about different countries because it offers me the chance to travel while stuck at home. This self-help isn’t life changing at all. It’s simply a fun read that one would keep on their coffee table, and I appreciate that
I’m also a sucker for learning about other cities’ cultures and reading about different countries because it offers me the chance to travel while stuck at home. This self-help isn’t life changing at all. It’s simply a fun read that one would keep on their coffee table, and I appreciate that
July 25, 2017
Đáng ra tên sách phải là 'Sống như phụ nữ Paris' mới đúng. Quyển này, nó vừa chứa những điều thú vị và những điều khó chịu nho nhỏ. Nếu mà coi đây là miêu tả toàn diện và chân xác nhất về phụ nữa Paris (nếu, tại 4 tác giả đều là phụ nữ Paris cả mà) thì các cô ấy đáng yêu thật, đáng để yêu ấy. Thú vị, ngọt ngào, ngây thơ, phù phiếm, có lúc ranh mãnh và cả nhiều lúc khó chịu (thật chẳng nghĩ ra từ nào khác để tả cả). Mình sẽ chỉ nhắc đến điều khó chịu thôi :))) còn những điểm đáng yêu kia hãy đọc sách, có vô vàn thứ hay ho mình có thể học ở những người phụ nữ ấy. Phần 'Làm cách nào để chàng nghĩ... rằng bạn có nhân tình' ấy, tự gửi hoa cho mình hay lưu số điện thoại của em gái dưới tên 'Paul', mình không thích một chút nào. Nó có phần giả tạo quá, tại sao lại phải làm như thế chứ? Mặc dù sau cùng tác giả có viết Nhưng nếu rốt cuộc chàng rời bỏ bạn, thì đừng có than thân trách phận, chính bạn những muốn như thế còn gì cũng không kéo thêm chút thiện cảm nào cho mình. Nhưng mà có ai hoàn hảo đâu, kể cả những cô nàng Paris cũng vậy, nên là bù lại với cả tá ưu điểm kia thì một khuyết điểm này dù có đáng ghét thật ấy, nhưng mà nhìn tổng thể thì vẫn chấp nhận được.
Một điểm cộng nữa là đống ảnh và tranh siêu đẹp. Mình cứ có cảm giác đang lướt insta bằng giấy khi đọc cuốn này, và mình còn phát hiện ra một chị mẫu da màu đẹp ơi là đẹp nữa.
Một điểm cộng nữa là đống ảnh và tranh siêu đẹp. Mình cứ có cảm giác đang lướt insta bằng giấy khi đọc cuốn này, và mình còn phát hiện ra một chị mẫu da màu đẹp ơi là đẹp nữa.
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August 16, 2016I thought I’d take a break from all the fiction I was reading and delve into something a bit lighter. This book was perfect. I’ve always been a fan of French style. Parisian women are so effortlessly chic and give out this, “I’m an intellectual but also beautiful” vibe that is, simply put, timeless. This book contains practical information on closet essentials, but also hilariously deconstructs the mystique of the Parisian woman. The spreads are also amazing and filled with everything from end-to-end Pantone swatches to portraits of gorgeous French women throughout history. I was reading this on my lunch break one day at a sandwich shop and heard a guy say to his friend as he was leaving, “Did you see what she was reading? I really wanted to know!”
— Shara Lee
from The Best Books We Read In July 2016: http://bookriot.com/2016/08/01/riot-r...
— Shara Lee
from The Best Books We Read In July 2016: http://bookriot.com/2016/08/01/riot-r...
September 17, 2014
I read any and every "French-Parisian-Fashion-Joie de vivre" type of book. This is one for my collection. I read it in an afternoon. Nothing groundbreaking or new to me, but enjoyable nonetheless. I admire each one of les quatre femmes who created the book, so I knew I'd enjoy my time engrossed in it. It's just that I felt that it was too brief to actually GET to become "engrossed" in it. But I did enjoy my short visit.
Parisians are not easily pleased, and the same can be said for myself. 4 stars is "genereuse" here.
Read books by Debra Ollivier, too.…A votre santé et votre amusement!
Parisians are not easily pleased, and the same can be said for myself. 4 stars is "genereuse" here.
Read books by Debra Ollivier, too.…A votre santé et votre amusement!
September 21, 2014
This is more of a coffee table book than anything else, but it is filled with lists and stories that do not disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it's one that I will flip through often when I'm in need of some inspiration or laughter. Definitely the perfect book to gift any twenty something young woman.
August 23, 2014
I must say ,I am a guy.................But I absolutely loved this book ! Check it out ,you will not be disappointed !!
February 17, 2017
A fun & quirky collection of what it is to be a Parisian woman. The book doesn't have any formal structure. There is no story. It's a series of snippets into the life of a Parisian told by 4 Parisian women. They discuss eveything from clothes to shoes to affairs & dinner parties. No surprise, the book is loaded with delicious recipes that I want to make right away. The book is funny, although the Parisian woman sounds ridiculously high-maintenance in her attempts to appear low-maintainence.
More at: http://tinyurl.com/nuxkpyn
More at: http://tinyurl.com/nuxkpyn
August 17, 2015
Escolhi este livro para ler numa de escolher um livro leve para me acompanhar nos dias de praia, uma vez que estou a ler um clássico e embora não tenha medo de o levar para a praia, não o faço pois acho que requerem maior atenção para que sejam completamente apreciados.
Enquanto que este livro pode ser lido quase na diagonal que não se perde nada. Só mesmo tempo.
Este livro consiste em dicas de como ser uma Parisiense, em todo o lado. Algumas coisas têm piada outras nem por isso. Tem muitos cliché, poderá ser melhor apreciado por alguém que se interesse pela mulher parisiense mas dou como conselho não levarem muito à risca ahah. Tem bastantes dicas de locais a apreciar em Paris, muita publicidade a marcas caras, embora elas não precisem disso.
No fundo é só mais um livro de entretenimento em que retirei que ser Parisiense não é nada de especial, há tanta gente por aí que o é sem saber.
Enquanto que este livro pode ser lido quase na diagonal que não se perde nada. Só mesmo tempo.
Este livro consiste em dicas de como ser uma Parisiense, em todo o lado. Algumas coisas têm piada outras nem por isso. Tem muitos cliché, poderá ser melhor apreciado por alguém que se interesse pela mulher parisiense mas dou como conselho não levarem muito à risca ahah. Tem bastantes dicas de locais a apreciar em Paris, muita publicidade a marcas caras, embora elas não precisem disso.
No fundo é só mais um livro de entretenimento em que retirei que ser Parisiense não é nada de especial, há tanta gente por aí que o é sem saber.
November 12, 2017
4.5 stars.
I couldn't agree more with Laura (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1... "I feel sorry for the people who have given this book one or two stars and completely missed the point.
This book is supposed to sound ridiculously pretentious and snobbish. It's not supposed to be taken seriously.
I absolutely loved it. As I read it, I could feel the irony and sarcasm dripping through the words written. I laughed out loud a lot while reading it, especially the times I recognized myself in some of the pages. I like to think of myself as someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously, but sometimes reading a book like this can be a good reality check when you start over-thinking everything you do.
If you love aesthetically pleasing books, sarcastic humor and appreciate people who can laugh at themselves, then I definitely recommend reading this."
I couldn't agree more with Laura (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1... "I feel sorry for the people who have given this book one or two stars and completely missed the point.
This book is supposed to sound ridiculously pretentious and snobbish. It's not supposed to be taken seriously.
I absolutely loved it. As I read it, I could feel the irony and sarcasm dripping through the words written. I laughed out loud a lot while reading it, especially the times I recognized myself in some of the pages. I like to think of myself as someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously, but sometimes reading a book like this can be a good reality check when you start over-thinking everything you do.
If you love aesthetically pleasing books, sarcastic humor and appreciate people who can laugh at themselves, then I definitely recommend reading this."
July 5, 2017
I just loved this.
December 13, 2015
Šarmanta grāmata, kas jābauda ar uzkrāsotām lūpām (sarkanām, protams) un augstpapēžu kurpēm kājās, ēdot kruasānus un iemīloties katrā pretimnācējā.
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