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Liked It3 of 3 members found this review helpful “This book is highly original, interesting, and has lovely imagery of so many things, but especially of Paris. It makes you feel that you are there. The reader gets a good look at not just the famous tourist places but also the real life of the city, how the actual residents lived (especially...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Not bad, different than anything I've read before. I enjoyed it. Not thrilling but nice...”
Mira wrote this review Friday, August 21 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Rich storytelling.”
Phyllis P wrote this review Monday, July 13 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No3 of 3 members found this review helpful“This book is highly original, interesting, and has lovely imagery of so many things, but especially of Paris. It makes you feel that you are there. The reader gets a good look at not just the famous tourist places but also the real life of the city, how the actual residents lived (especially the expats, and including both rich and poor) in 1986, a time of riots, terrorism, and bombs. It is fiction, but is strongly autobiographical as well. The main character arrives in Paris with just $200, knowing no one and with no place to stay or any job prospects. She has many adventures that the average tourist would never experience, but are clearly things that the author did experience. She shows us a side of Paris that we've never seen before.
ghost of a rose wrote this review Wednesday, August 13 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
There is some shimmering erotica of a type that contrasts in high relief with both the male-oriented, porn-style erotica and the mass-market paperback sex scenes. It is clearly aimed to appeal to women, and is sensual, tender, and beautiful. Lyrical, poetic, even - as is Youngblood's writing in general.
There are numerous little "extras" scattered throughout the book, such as poems and recipes. Each chapter begins with a full-page black-and-white collage showing contemporary and historical photographs, old maps (maps are an important motif throughout the book), museum and metro tickets, coins, and postmarks; things which enhance the intimacy with Paris that the reader feels.
Don't miss the acknowledgements section at the end. It will surprise and delight you!
I was not at all surprised to read in the author bio that Shay Youngblood has won an impressive number of literary awards. I definitely want to read more of her work.
Quotes from Black Girl in Paris:
"I met Leo, who loved my body for a while, then left me when I felt I needed him most."
"A bomb can kill you instantly, love can make you wish you were dead."
"He would tell stories, and I would listen, laugh, and wait for his secrets."
"how to look at art:
With your head. With your heart. From a distance. With your eyes shut tight. With your eyes wide open.
Look at the piece for a long time, close up and from a distance. Close your eyes and try to see the piece in your mind. What do you remember when it's gone? What details do you notice when you open your eyes? Is the piece the same? Are you the same? . . .
How to Love a Woman:
1. With your head
2. With your heart
3. From a distance
4. With your eyes shut tight
5. With your eyes wide open"
". . . nothing in Paris is what it seems."
"In Paris all the houses have eyes that cry each time it rains."
"The women whispered. We were in a sacred place. In the absence of men these women made themselves vulnerable to one another."
"The things I learned about love . . .
Charlotte wanted to make me her pet, but men too have wanted that, and there is no love in that kind of relationship, in which one is always giving and the other always taking."”
“My love affair with Paris began when I saw the Jospehine Baker storey as a teen. It holds a fascination I cannot explain. This book turned me onto a lot of new things, like James Baldwin and I think it is a very good read.”
Seletta R wrote this review Wednesday, November 28 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I really enjoyed this book!”
lakenya T wrote this review Tuesday, November 6 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This book is lyrical! The descriptions are gorgeous and hearbreaking. I LOVE THIS BOOK! I may recommend it to my book group, it is that good. A young black American woman finds that the Paris of her dreams, of Langston Hughs and James Baldwin and freedom isn't what it's cracked up to be. Read this book!”
marysued wrote this review Thursday, August 9 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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