If you love epic historical fiction and like the idea of following several families across centuries, Rutherfurd’s 'Paris' delivers an immersive journey through the heart of the City of Light. You’ll get sweeping vistas of Parisian history - from the construction of the Eiffel Tower to the crosshairs of the French Revolution to the drama of WWII - woven with all sorts of fascinating tidbits about the city. It’s especially great for fans of multi-generational sagas like Michener's or for anyone with a deep curiosity about Paris and its people. Bonus: history buffs, travelers, or those planning a Paris visit will appreciate the blend of legendary sites, major events, and local color.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Those who prefer tightly plotted, character-driven stories or a straightforward timeline might find the book a slog. The narrative often leaps back and forth through time, which can make it tough to keep track of who's who, especially with similar names popping up in different centuries. Some found the characters thin and secondary to the grand sweep of history, while others missed more vivid or emotionally resonant storytelling. If you're craving deep personal drama or dislike long-winded historical exposition, this may not be your cup of tea.

A sprawling love letter to Paris, best suited for patient readers who savor historical detail and multi-generational scope. Stick with it for big historical payoffs, but expect more city than soap opera.

About:

"Paris" by Edward Rutherfurd is a historical novel that spans over 800 years of the city of Paris, focusing on the intertwined stories of four families through various significant historical events. The narrative jumps back and forth in time, covering different periods such as the Belle Epoch, the building of the Eiffel Tower, the French Revolution, and World War II. intertwines fiction with real historical events, providing readers with a detailed exploration of Paris's history through the lives of diverse characters.

Characters:

Characters represent various social classes but often feel like mere tools for advancing the historical narrative, lacking depth.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is a mix of detailed historical accounts and character interactions, often feeling cumbersome and lacking in depth.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative weaves through the lives of multiple families against the backdrop of historical events in Paris over several centuries.

Setting:

The backdrop of the story is the city of Paris, rich in historical and cultural significance over the centuries.

Pacing:

The pacing is uneven, with early sections dragging and later sections becoming more engaging.

In the Dark Ages after the Roman Empire fell, the German tribe of Franks had conquered the territory in the Land of the Franks, as it came to be called, or France. Its rich countryside had been invade...

Notes:

Edward Rutherfurd is known for his historical epics like Sarum, New York, London, and Dublin.

In Paris, Rutherfurd follows six families through 800 years of history, from 1261 to 1968.

The families represent different social strata, including aristocrats, merchants, and working-class individuals.

The narrative jumps back and forth in time, making it difficult for some readers to follow character development.

Key events in French history are included but often treated in broad strokes.

The construction of the Eiffel Tower is a central storyline, highlighting its historical significance.

Historical figures like Hemingway and Monet make fictionalized appearances in the novel.

Antisemitism and bigotry, including the Protestant-Catholic conflict, are explored through the characters' lives.

The narrative includes significant moments such as the French Revolution, the World Wars, and the Fall of the Bastille.

Rutherfurd's depiction of Paris sometimes feels superficial, with the city acting as a backdrop rather than a fully realized character.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains potentially sensitive content, including themes of political violence, anti-Semitism, and elements of war, which may require content warnings.

Has Romance?

There are elements of romance present in the book, particularly involving personal relationships and love triangles, but they are not the primary focus.

From The Publisher:

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From Edward Rutherfurd, the grand master of the historical novel, comes a dazzling epic about the magnificent city of Paris. Moving back and forth in time, the story unfolds through intimate and thrilling tales of self-discovery, divided loyalty, and long-kept secrets. As various characters come of age, seek their fortunes, and fall in and out of love, the novel follows nobles who claim descent from the hero of the celebrated poem The Song of Roland; a humble family that embodies the ideals of the French Revolution; a pair of brothers from the slums behind Montmartre, one of whom works on the Eiffel Tower as the other joins the underworld near the Moulin Rouge; and merchants who lose everything during the reign of Louis XV, rise again in the age of Napoleon, and help establish Paris as the great center of art and culture that it is today. With Rutherfurd's unrivaled blend of impeccable research and narrative verve, this bold novel brings the sights, scents, and tastes of the City of Light to brilliant life.

Praise for Paris

"A tour de force . . . [Edward Rutherfurd's] most romantic and richly detailed work of fiction yet."-Bookreporter

"Fantastic . . . as grand and engrossing as Paris itself."-Historical Novels Review

"This saga is filled with historical detail and a huge cast of characters, fictional and real, spanning generations and centuries. But Paris, with its art, architecture, culture and couture, is the undisputed main character."-Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Both Paris, the venerable City of Light, and Rutherfurd, the undisputed master of the multigenerational historical saga, shine in this sumptuous urban epic."-Booklist

"There is suspense, intrigue and romance around every corner."-Asbury Park Press

April 2013

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872 pages

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About the Author:

Edward Rutherfurd is the internationally bestselling author of several novels, including the New York Times bestsellers New York, London, The Princes of Ireland, and The Rebels of Ireland.

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Paris

Edward Rutherfurd

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