Press on past the first hour or so...

This was my first E Rutherfurd. I love long audio books and I love Paris, so that's why I bought it. It's not exactly what I was expecting - but it is very good.

The plot is very complex. It seems simple enough at face value, but the switches in era, generations and families adds a layer (or several) which at times, did baffle me. I was slightly bored, or at least not engaged, for about 1 - 2 hours but given that this is such a long book, I was prepared to go with it. Very glad I did. Sometimes the switches in time/characters made sections of the book feel like extended short stories, which I also liked.

Plotting it must have been a nightmare! Even now, I am slightly unclear about the fate of a couple of the characters/families - but it didn't spoil it.

The main feature is the way the book captures a very tangible sense of Paris, through several hundred years of living history. At times, because of the richness of the historical content, I felt that I was listening to a book that was 100% factual; of course it isn't, but the fiction of the plot, set in front of the facts, which come to life, was very clever and rewarding.

The 2 narrators were excellent.

8 people found this helpful

A good read.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It captures the feel of Paris and there's a lot to get your teeth into. I really enjoyed the descriptions of a city I know reasonably well, and love.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I suppose it was Thomas Gascon and his love of the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower- although his brother Luc was interesting and I hoped that he would eventually 'come good'.

What does Jane Wymark and Jonathan Keeble bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

They were excellent and helped to bring the characters to life. Jane Wymark's French accent was particularly good.

Any additional comments?

I've enjoyed all Rutherfurd's books and was pleased to see this one available. My only hesitation is that, unlike Sarum or London, it didn't follow a clear timeline. I found it a bit confusing at first to keep jumping backward and forward between years. Apart from that a really good book and one I shall listen to more than once.

8 people found this helpful

A great book - hard to follow in Audible format

I love the way Edward Rutherford follows families through the ages, and gives such marvellous glimpses of what it might have been like to be involved in, or witness to, historical events - both terrible and inspiring. It alternates between events in the middle ages and more recent, with a lot more focus on the 19th and 20th centuries, but is quite hard to follow. I kept thinking that I needed the book to refer back, to remind myself of the family connections, and I also believe it is likely that a book might contain maps and drawings to illustrate the places it was referring to.
That said, I loved the book, it has given me a good overall perspective on French history. Narration is excellent too.

11 people found this helpful

Loved it!

I've been to Paris many times but after reading this book I will view it with different eyes. It is beautifully written, painstakingly researched and made Paris and it's history come to life for me. A must-read for any Francophile and one which I will listen to again and again.

4 people found this helpful

Epic

Where does Paris rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Definitely in my upper top 10! I wonder sometimes whether I would enjoy a book this much if I had actually read it. The narration definitely adds an obvious added dimension, but its definitely a positive one. I love audiobooks especially when there are narrators acting as both sexes and then even sharing some characters, as they do in this audiobook. They're are so good that you forget that its a woman narrating a man's "voice" or vice versa.

What did you like best about this story?

The overlapping stories over such a long period of time, combined with actual history of the ages were a joy. The intricacy of all the characters within each family was so complete! Each new revelation in their relationships was a like a little burst of energy infused to the novel.

Have you listened to any of Jane Wymark and Jonathan Keeble ’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I haven't, but I do have The Girl On The Stairs by Louise Welsh on my wish list

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Funnily enough, although I felt very connected with all the characters, it was the vision of the Eiffel Tower growing as it was built that I found so moving. To think of Paris without it was impossible for me, until Edward Rutherford's novel. Now I can put names and stories to the men who built the Tower. Even if they're only fictional.

Any additional comments?

I'm looking forward to the next Edward Rutherford novel, or more likely, audiobook.

3 people found this helpful

A clever story with many dimensions.

A very clever, nice and enchanting story through several centuries of the French history and lifestyle. A complete history revision book as well as an enjoyable fiction.

2 people found this helpful

Good but I need to read another

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Undecided. This was my first Rutherfurd and there was good and bad. Interesting enough for me to read another to see if the bad points were unique to this book.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The interweaving of information and historical fact with the fiction.I learned a few things. For example that the French Army went to the front line in WWI in taxis.

Which character – as performed by Jane Wymark and Jonathan Keeble – was your favourite?

Louise, much much more than the usual 'tart with a heart'.

Was Paris worth the listening time?

Marginal yes.

Any additional comments?

I found the way of drip feeding information about historical figures before revealing who they were to be patronising in the extreme. I suppose it was designed to make SOME listeners may feel smug and self satisfied at knowing who they were before they were named.I just found it obvious and irksome. It got to the point I was expecting a primary school teacher voice to cut in with 'Do you know who it could be children?'

In any book of this length the linking and drawing together of many characters over an extended period becomes contrived. Add in the many real writers, artists etc. with whom the fictional characters had interactions, and it became more than slightly ridiculous.

Having said that all that there was enough good in the book that I will listen to another of the author's works before I jump one way or other from my seat on the fence.

5 people found this helpful

Great blend of history and story

Would you listen to Paris again? Why?

Possibly. There is certainly enough content to make a second listening enjoyable.

What did you like best about this story?

The blend of history with family saga.

What about Jane Wymark and Jonathan Keeble ’s performance did you like?

Good clear and unobtrusive.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Nope.

Any additional comments?

All round an I interesting and stimulating listen. Looked have looked for further books - plenty in reading but none for audible. London, New York, Madrid . . . .yes please. .

1 person found this helpful

Great for lovers of Paris and French history

Would you consider the audio edition of Paris to be better than the print version?

i have not read the book yet but thought the book was narrated well.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Thomas Gascon. A decent person who took a few risks yet was dependable and ultimately acted for the greater good of his comrades

What about Jane Wymark and Jonathan Keeble ’s performance did you like?

The way they ensured it was easy to follow which character they were portraying?

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

How badly the solicitor's daughter treated people and also when Louise was betrayed

1 person found this helpful

interesting story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Will listen again to this saga, very good description of Paris during the ages

What did you like best about this story?

The way the story was told

Which scene did you most enjoy?

All of it

2 people found this helpful