Elliot Paul first went to France during the first World War where he served as a sergeant in the AEF. It was at the end of the war that he began the long residence in Paris in which he tells in A Narrow Street.
A Narrow street came into my life while I was living in Paris, not so far away from rue Huchette. It brought to life the Paris I didn't understand; the politics, the people, why there were so many cafes and how people lived in the city. It was a superb read and a magnificent observation of the city. To be recommended as a social history and beautiful observations on the denizens of a small and then very poor part of Paris.
Loved this history of one street in Paris and it's fascinating list of characters in the 1920s - 30s. Starts off sheer enjoyment getting to know these bonkers type picaresque characters - but the tone darkens as France heads towards war - quite tragic. GREAT writing. Why is the "Follow-up" Rue de la Huchette book "Springtime in Paris" not included in this list? A delightful light read.
Elliott Paul's characters were fascinating and so were the incidents which lead up to World War II. To have lived in Paris in those years would have been an experience.