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HomeShop at BookSurgeFictionParis Passions: Watching the French Being Brilliant and Bizarre |
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 A Canadian Loves Paris With Passion Sep 04, 2009
Discover, or rediscover, Paris through Keith Spicer's elegant and seducive prose. He loves Paris - and the French - but he remains true to the French say: "qui aime bien châtie bien". A must-read book before your next trip to the Ville Lumière. All 72 vignettes are entertaining but I particularly enjoyed the vignettes on the Place des Vosges, the relationship between coffee, philosophy and flirting, and the effect rugby has on France's women.
 C'est la vie Jul 30, 2009
A francophile for over 30 years, I looked forward to reading this book. I found it to be a disappointment. For a book that has the words "watching" and "bizarre" in the title, I expected far more pictures of the fun and everyday activities one can observe in Paris. There were very few of those, they were in black and white and not one that couldn't have been your or my vacation picture. Some of the anecdotes were amusing but none were standout. Overall, this was not worth the price. This is the first time I have ever returned a book to Amazon.
Modern Day France Revealed Apr 25, 2009
I read this book on my trip to Paris. It took almost 14 hours to travel there due to flight delays so I read most of it at the airport and on the plane. Nobody took any notice of it.
I read several books to prepare for my dream vacation and first visit to France, but this one provided the most insight into the present day culture. Since the media in the United States keep us completely in the dark about life in other countries, you really need to go out of your way to learn anything about France. "Paris Passions" definitely fills this need.
If it weren't for the language barrier, social networking could provide contact with the French. The British, Australians, Canadians, and Americans are increasingly interacting online but the French remain a mystery.
NOW we can return to France! Apr 15, 2009
I've been to France twice... about two weeks per trip. Because of the delicious, long meals... and many afternoon 'vin degustation'... my French was passable on day 14. But I never reeeely understood this complicated country.
Until now. Merci Monsieur Spicer for your wit, wisdom and clear perspective of the 'Brilliant and Bizarre' French. From food to champagne to a Labour Code that strangles entrepreneurs and clogs the streets with students and leftists who really need those jobs. From art & fashion to walking down the Seine before the sun can see you. And serious stuff... like those hillarious, eclectic and transformative historical characters... France's role in the world today.... and politics. Head scratching, 'what are they thinking?' politics. And I will be paying more attention to 'Sarko', if only to get a glimpse of his wife.
On the next visit I will feel much more at home because... well, I've seen behind a few doors and under a few covers because of Spicer's book. An illuminating and entertaining read.
Smile and learn Apr 01, 2009
As I read Paris Passions, all I wanted was to pick up the phone and book a flight to Paris. Delightful, charming, funny, and full of interesting information. Spicer is a master at making the reader smile while learning why the French are Brilliant and Bizarre.
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