The Paris Novel
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A “mouthwatering” (The New York Times) adventure through the food, art, and fashion scenes of 1980s Paris—from the bestselling author of Save Me the Plums and Delicious!
“An enchanting and irresistible feast . . . As with a perfect meal in the world’s most magical city, I never wanted this sublime novel to end.”—Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, author of Good Company
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: Saveur, Food & Wine, Bookreporter, The Charlotte Observer
Stella reached for an oyster, tipped her head, and tossed it back. It was cool and slippery, the flavor so briny it was like diving into the ocean. Oysters, she thought. Where have they been all my life?
When her estranged mother dies, Stella is left with an unusual inheritance: a one-way plane ticket and a note reading “Go to Paris.” Stella is hardly cut out for adventure; a traumatic childhood has kept her confined to the strict routines of her comfort zone. But when her boss encourages her to take time off, Stella resigns herself to honoring her mother’s last wishes.
Alone in a foreign city, Stella falls into old habits, living cautiously and frugally. Then she stumbles across a vintage store, where she tries on a fabulous Dior dress. The shopkeeper insists that this dress was meant for Stella and for the first time in her life Stella does something impulsive. She buys the dress—and embarks on an adventure.
Her first stop: the iconic brasserie Les Deux Magots, where Stella tastes her first oysters and then meets an octogenarian art collector who decides to take her under his wing. As Jules introduces Stella to a veritable who’s who of the Paris literary, art, and culinary worlds, she begins to understand what it might mean to live a larger life.
As weeks—and many decadent meals—go by, Stella ends up living as a “tumbleweed” at famed bookstore Shakespeare & Company, uncovers a hundred-year-old mystery in a Manet painting, and discovers a passion for food that may be connected to her past. A feast for the senses, this novel is a testament to living deliciously, taking chances, and finding your true home.
“An enchanting and irresistible feast . . . As with a perfect meal in the world’s most magical city, I never wanted this sublime novel to end.”—Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, author of Good Company
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: Saveur, Food & Wine, Bookreporter, The Charlotte Observer
Stella reached for an oyster, tipped her head, and tossed it back. It was cool and slippery, the flavor so briny it was like diving into the ocean. Oysters, she thought. Where have they been all my life?
When her estranged mother dies, Stella is left with an unusual inheritance: a one-way plane ticket and a note reading “Go to Paris.” Stella is hardly cut out for adventure; a traumatic childhood has kept her confined to the strict routines of her comfort zone. But when her boss encourages her to take time off, Stella resigns herself to honoring her mother’s last wishes.
Alone in a foreign city, Stella falls into old habits, living cautiously and frugally. Then she stumbles across a vintage store, where she tries on a fabulous Dior dress. The shopkeeper insists that this dress was meant for Stella and for the first time in her life Stella does something impulsive. She buys the dress—and embarks on an adventure.
Her first stop: the iconic brasserie Les Deux Magots, where Stella tastes her first oysters and then meets an octogenarian art collector who decides to take her under his wing. As Jules introduces Stella to a veritable who’s who of the Paris literary, art, and culinary worlds, she begins to understand what it might mean to live a larger life.
As weeks—and many decadent meals—go by, Stella ends up living as a “tumbleweed” at famed bookstore Shakespeare & Company, uncovers a hundred-year-old mystery in a Manet painting, and discovers a passion for food that may be connected to her past. A feast for the senses, this novel is a testament to living deliciously, taking chances, and finding your true home.
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Community Reviews
Book Club Reflection: The Paris Novel
Our discussion of The Paris Novel centered around themes of self-discovery through food and art. We all agreed it was an easy read, with many describing it as a modern-day Cinderella story—pleasant in tone but often unrealistic in execution.
A point of concern for several of us was the mention of sexual assault involving a minor early in the book, which was troublingly glossed over and never meaningfully addressed. This left many feeling that a serious issue was treated too lightly.
While some of the food descriptions were meant to evoke transformation and indulgence, a few choices made us cringe more than crave. In contrast, the designer gowns stood out as a visual highlight—described with such care that they almost seemed to shimmer off the page.
The most compelling element for our group was the search for the female model, who turned out to be an artist in her own right. Her story, rich in history and layered identity, was unanimously seen as the strongest part of the novel.
Meet Stella - early 30's New Yorker whose mother, Celia St. Vincent was a glitzy/glamorous and bold socialite that was as good at throwing dinner parties as she is at ruffling guests' feathers
- Treats Stella as an accessory and they become further and further estranged as Celia has clearly fallen far from the tree
- Due to a traumatic chapter in her childhood, Stella is dedicated to routines, structures, and living life in what I would call familiar and dull colours
- Everything changes when Stella's Mum passes away and her last rights include a plane ticket and note that simply says "Go to Paris" no further instructions, requests, or guidance - and what ensues is truly a life changing adventure for Stella
Who I would recommend this book to:
- Anyone who enjoys whimsical stories, topsy turvy plot lines, and found family tropes
- The sense of a happy ending and satisfying outcomes for the protagonist
- Erratic puzzle pieces coming together - ex. How solving an art mystery from the past helps to solve a familial mystery in the present
- Not sure if this was intentional on the author's part, but my favorite part of the book was how it read like a nuanced and complex menu - surprising, unpredictable, palatable, refreshing, pleasant, shocking, sensorily immersive
A love letter to Paris, Food, Art, and friendship. I love Ruth Reichl’s writing so much and this book was an utter delight. You cannot help but root for Stella as she blossoms. Paris does make people bloom and this book makes me so excited to return after too many years next Spring.
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