The Paris Novel
The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl, published by Random House on April 22, 2025, is a literary exploration set against the vibrant backdrop of 1980s Paris. This edition, comprising 304 pages, invites readers to follow Stella, who inherits a one-way ticket to Paris after her estranged mother’s death. As she navigates the city’s food, art, and fashion scenes, Stella confronts her past and embarks on a journey of self-discovery, stepping outside her comfort zone for the first time.
Readers will find a richly woven narrative that captures Stella’s transformation as she encounters iconic locations and influential figures in the Parisian literary and culinary worlds. The story delves into themes of adventure, personal growth, and the connections between food and memory. This edition also includes an exclusive recipe, a map of Paris, and a discussion guide, enhancing the reading experience and providing additional context for those interested in the cultural tapestry of the city.
Official synopsis Publisher
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
This Random House Book Club edition includes an exclusive recipe, a map of Paris, and a discussion guide.
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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