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There's Only One Paris: Tales from our Times
“There’s only one Paris, and however hard living here may be, and if it became worse and even harder, [the city does] a world of good.” — Vincent van Gogh. In the midst of a global pandemic, the artist’s words resonate more than ever. Through a series of interconnected stories, we journey to this Paris for a glimpse at how it and its residents are adapting to the “new normal.” As we traverse Paris's 20 arrondissements, we encounter an eclectic cast of characters who must confront a range of new challenges and emotions provoked by the Covid-19. By daring to overcome anxiety, loneliness and stubbornness, they find courage, love and—most importantly, hope—exactly what we need in these uncertain times. In the face of adversity, the City of Light always sparkles—and proves it does a world of good.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 25, 2020
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February 21, 2021Lily Heise, author of Je T’Aime, Me Neither and Je T’Aime…Maybe? has given her readers a special treat with her latest book, There’s Only One Paris: Tales from our Times, a collection of interconnected stories of Parisians living under lockdown. If you think you’re in for tales of woe, you are wrong. On the contrary, the separate stories reflect the spirit of Paris and Parisians: imaginative, informative, and positive. They are a delight to read.
Having lived in Paris for nigh 50 years, I tend to read with a critical eye when it comes to descriptions of the city I know and love and I must say that Lily passed my informal “test” with flying colors. Her descriptions of various Parisian neighborhoods are spot on. I particularly liked the tale in which one of the characters, who lived in the “family oriented, tranquil and tidy” fifteenth arrondissement travels across town to meet a girlfriend in Belleville, which he doesn’t know and which he finds “artsy, cosmopolitan and on the somewhat grungy side.” Having lived in both the 15th and the 20th near Belleville, I laughed out loud. Those descriptions were PERFECT.
Filled with humor and charm and whimsy, these well-written tales transport readers from the hilly Butte aux Cailles to the spooky underground Catacombs and to many other places in Paris, ones that are well-known, others that are not. In each of the places, a new story captures our imagination. A tale involving a Marsh Rice Rat (or is it a mouse?) which breeds like crazy in the swampy sections of the Promenade Plantée above the Viaduc des Arts is priceless as is the graceful description of the Promenade itself –– “It was like a secret garden that was hiding …in plain sight.”
If you are planning a post-Covid expedition to Paris, do add this playful and unconventional but solidly informed book of adventures to your collection of guidebooks. It does indeed give us a picture of Paris and Parisians during the pandemic but goes beyond that initial goal to show us the eternal valiant spirit of the Parisians and a lot of familiar and unfamiliar corners of Paris along the way. It’s a keeper, for sure.
Having lived in Paris for nigh 50 years, I tend to read with a critical eye when it comes to descriptions of the city I know and love and I must say that Lily passed my informal “test” with flying colors. Her descriptions of various Parisian neighborhoods are spot on. I particularly liked the tale in which one of the characters, who lived in the “family oriented, tranquil and tidy” fifteenth arrondissement travels across town to meet a girlfriend in Belleville, which he doesn’t know and which he finds “artsy, cosmopolitan and on the somewhat grungy side.” Having lived in both the 15th and the 20th near Belleville, I laughed out loud. Those descriptions were PERFECT.
Filled with humor and charm and whimsy, these well-written tales transport readers from the hilly Butte aux Cailles to the spooky underground Catacombs and to many other places in Paris, ones that are well-known, others that are not. In each of the places, a new story captures our imagination. A tale involving a Marsh Rice Rat (or is it a mouse?) which breeds like crazy in the swampy sections of the Promenade Plantée above the Viaduc des Arts is priceless as is the graceful description of the Promenade itself –– “It was like a secret garden that was hiding …in plain sight.”
If you are planning a post-Covid expedition to Paris, do add this playful and unconventional but solidly informed book of adventures to your collection of guidebooks. It does indeed give us a picture of Paris and Parisians during the pandemic but goes beyond that initial goal to show us the eternal valiant spirit of the Parisians and a lot of familiar and unfamiliar corners of Paris along the way. It’s a keeper, for sure.
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March 10, 2021Fabulous Read!! Lily's insight into the Parisian culture and its' history together with her vivid details of Paris of living/or visiting Paris is a Joy to read, whether you are re-visiting "your own personal haunts in Paris" or vicariously visiting Paris with Lily and Her characters, this book is a charmer!! Whether strolling the streets of Montmartre winding your way to the Sacre-Coeur or sitting cozy in a bistro sipping a beautiful French Merlot and Soupe a l'oignon, you a transported to another World! Even in the time of Covid, Paris, The City of Lights, still shimmers and sparkles in this wonderful Read!! Thanks Lily, so thoroughly enjoyed! Every chapter, every page was like meeting an 'old friend' for a cappuccino or french vanilla latte!!
March 10, 2021
I am an avid fan of Paris and I could not wait to get my hands on this book, when I heard about it's release, and I was not disappointed! I could not put it down! The beautifully descriptive stories bring Paris to life & I could almost feel like I was there.
The characters were also very original and one can easily relate to them. I hope this becomes a series! I am eager for volume two!!
The characters were also very original and one can easily relate to them. I hope this becomes a series! I am eager for volume two!!
March 10, 2021
How wonderful to have an inside look at the various neighbourhoods of Paris. The stories in each neighbourhood paint a picture of the various people that inhabit them, as well as their colourful surroundings. My favourite was the Opera Garnier story - it has lots of nostalgia for me!
January 17, 2021
Such a great read!!¥ would recommend to anyone!
December 5, 2020
Loved the book!!! Can't imagine not reading this book if you have ever been to or DREAMED of going to Paris. Ms. Heise is a very skillful writer and takes us through the streets of Paris-one arrondissement (district) at a time as she describes her character's personal stories. You will not be able to put this book down because of her vivid descriptions of people and places throughout the City of Light! You will experience romance, hope, love and "possibilities" as well as a "chase" you will not forget....
Michalangelo, Chagall, a Fairy Godmother, Atilla the Hun, Hemingway and La Gioconda are but a few of those mentioned in these stories set against the backdrop of this very challenging year of 2020.
Recommended as a great Christmas gift so people can dream of a "post COVID" adventure to this enchanting City on the Seine.
Michalangelo, Chagall, a Fairy Godmother, Atilla the Hun, Hemingway and La Gioconda are but a few of those mentioned in these stories set against the backdrop of this very challenging year of 2020.
Recommended as a great Christmas gift so people can dream of a "post COVID" adventure to this enchanting City on the Seine.
December 3, 2020
It took me not even one week to read it and I loved it!
The idea of each chapter is great and you can not really stop yourself reading once you have started. And the description of different sites and places of Paris is also superbe! I can only recommend Lily Heise book, specially if you miss Paris right now!
The idea of each chapter is great and you can not really stop yourself reading once you have started. And the description of different sites and places of Paris is also superbe! I can only recommend Lily Heise book, specially if you miss Paris right now!
December 19, 2020
I enjoyed traversing through the arrondissements 1 - 20 discovering the merits of each quartier.
November 30, 2020
Disclosure: Lily is a friend of mine in Paris and I have helped her proofread the three books she has written, including this one. I was sent a copy of the complete book because of the assistance that I gave in proofreading. That being said, I knew from the moment that I started proofreading that this is Lily's best book, yet. There are 21 interconnected short stories in this book: one for each arrondissement (district) of Paris, and one story taking place on the Metro, Paris' subway system.
I was enchanted reading these stories. First of all, they each capture the essence of daily life in Paris; not so much the well-known, well-touristed aspects of Paris, but the Paris of everyday lives and the people living in the midst of the pandemic of 2020. Not to say the pandemic is the most significant part of the stories; it's not. It is more like an additional character that impacts each story and how life is affected for each in daily, realistic ways. What charmed me most were the clever, touching, and surprising tales, each with a fun twist. I thoroughly enjoyed each story I read.
I would recommend this book for three kinds of readers (and you do not have to be all three to enjoy this book!): 1) people who know, love, and miss Paris, especially in 2020. This will be one of the better fictional books you'll read taking place in the City of Light; 2) people who love well-written short stories that intertwine and inform one another in clever ways; 3) people who appreciate modern, realistic fiction with intelligent plot twists and memorable characters.
Lily's book is a strong recommendation and I would choose the same rating even if I didn't know her nor help proofread the book. I truly enjoyed all the stories, which I found touching, humorous, and cleverly-written.
I was enchanted reading these stories. First of all, they each capture the essence of daily life in Paris; not so much the well-known, well-touristed aspects of Paris, but the Paris of everyday lives and the people living in the midst of the pandemic of 2020. Not to say the pandemic is the most significant part of the stories; it's not. It is more like an additional character that impacts each story and how life is affected for each in daily, realistic ways. What charmed me most were the clever, touching, and surprising tales, each with a fun twist. I thoroughly enjoyed each story I read.
I would recommend this book for three kinds of readers (and you do not have to be all three to enjoy this book!): 1) people who know, love, and miss Paris, especially in 2020. This will be one of the better fictional books you'll read taking place in the City of Light; 2) people who love well-written short stories that intertwine and inform one another in clever ways; 3) people who appreciate modern, realistic fiction with intelligent plot twists and memorable characters.
Lily's book is a strong recommendation and I would choose the same rating even if I didn't know her nor help proofread the book. I truly enjoyed all the stories, which I found touching, humorous, and cleverly-written.
March 12, 2021
This is a fun adventure through the eye's of some lovely Paris streets/neighbourhoods. I enjoyed how the stories mesh together. There's only one Paris: Tales from our Times, is a great reflection on some of the sentiments felt during the pandemic which we can all relate..
It was fun to read this book, it really transported me right back into this delightful City with all the sounds and smells to go along with it, I can almost taste the fresh Croissant!
Thanks for a great Book and i hope to read more adventures in the future.
It was fun to read this book, it really transported me right back into this delightful City with all the sounds and smells to go along with it, I can almost taste the fresh Croissant!
Thanks for a great Book and i hope to read more adventures in the future.
August 6, 2021
I loved this book. The novel contains chapters set in each of Paris arrondissements, connected with trips through the Metro. It was as if I really were in Paris. Now I want to know more about the various characters. Some of the areas subways familiar with, others I wasn’t. Reading the book was a mini vacation.
April 7, 2021
I absolutely love this book! Especially in a time where travel is not so accessible, this book really transports you to Paris. I love the writing style and its full of rich history, romance and humour! Its 5 stars for me!!
June 9, 2021
Lovely details of Paris and cute characters, but the plots are trite and predictable
August 4, 2021
A lovely virtual visit to Paris in a time when we're all sheltering in place. And don't miss Lily's lovely virtual tours on Facebook
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews