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A Waiter in Paris

Adventures in the Dark Heart of the City

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A Waiter in Paris

By: Edward Chisholm
Narrated by: Orlando Wells
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About this listen

A waiter's job is to deceive you. They want you to believe in a luxurious calm because on the other side of that door...is hell.

Edward Chisholm's spellbinding memoir of his time as a Parisian waiter takes you below the surface of one of the most iconic cities in the world and right into its glorious underbelly.

He inhabits a world of inhuman hours, snatched sleep and dive bars; scraping by on coffee, bread and cigarettes, often under sadistic managers, with a wage so low you're fighting your colleagues for tips. Colleagues—including thieves, narcissists, ex-Legionnaires, paperless immigrants, wannabe actors and drug dealers—who are the closest thing to family that you've got.

It's physically demanding, frequently humiliating and incredibly competitive. But it doesn't matter because you're in Paris, the centre of the universe, and there's nowhere else you'd rather be in the world.

©2022 Edward Chisholm (P)2022 Octopus Publishing Group Cultural & Regional Europe France
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Loved the insight into the French and their philosophy. Writer has the driest sense of humour.

Humorous and also despairing

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Sobering and funny in equal measure. Great writing, great narration, and totally absorbing.
Loved it.

Fascinating listen

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Having worked in the industry many years ago, the descriptions of the restaurants, the politics we so real. Living in Paris with no money. passing the unseen workers supporting the industry, this book really gave them a voice. Remembering those that did not have a way out or any other options and were at the mercy of unfair people. The book was really well written.

The accuracy of the characters and the industry

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Sometimes you’re ready for a story to end, not this one for for me. From the quality of the story telling to the wonderful narration, this is a brilliant piece of work.

Simply brilliant.

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Sad, funny, eye opening and inspiring. Well done to the author for capturing this reality for many people around the world. Great narration.

An important story

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A must f or all in the hospitality industry, and who want a look in!

Sounds very familiar!

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Loved listening to this so much. It is very funny and the characters really come to life thanks to a stunning narration with all the various French and foreign accents. Cannot recommend this highly enough. My wife and I listened to it on a long car journey - we enjoyed so much we stayed in the car at the destination to finish it.

Audible makes this book even better

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