THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER
Bienvenue à Paris!When April Vogt’s boss tells her about an apartment in the ninth arrondissement that has been discovered after being shuttered for the past seventy years, the Sotheby’s continental furniture specialist does not hear the words “dust” or “rats” or “decrepit.” She hears Paris. She hears escape.Once in France, April quickly learns the … Paris. She hears escape.
Once in France, April quickly learns the apartment is not merely some rich hoarder’s repository. Beneath the cobwebs and stale perfumed air is a goldmine, and not because of the actual gold (or painted ostrich eggs or mounted rhinoceros horns or bronze bathtub). First, there’s a portrait by one of the masters of the Belle Epoque, Giovanni Boldini. And then there are letters and journals written by the very woman in the painting, Marthe de Florian. These documents reveal that she was more than a renowned courtesan with enviable decolletage. Suddenly April’s quest is no longer about the bureaux plats and Louis-style armchairs that will fetch millions at auction. It’s about discovering the story behind this charismatic woman.
It’s about discovering two women, actually.
With the help of a salty (and annoyingly sexy) Parisian solicitor and the courtesan’s private diaries, April tries to uncover the many secrets buried in the apartment. As she digs into Marthe’s life, April can’t help but take a deeper look into her own. Having left behind in the States a cheating husband, a family crisis about to erupt, and a career she’s been using as the crutch to simply get by, she feels compelled to sort out her own life too. When the things she left bubbling back home begin to boil over, and Parisian delicacies beyond flaky pâtisseries tempt her better judgment, April knows that both she and Marthe deserve happy finales.
Whether accompanied by croissants or champagne, this delectable debut novel depicts the Paris of the Belle Epoque and the present day with vibrant and stunning allure. Based on historical events, Michelle Gable’s A Paris Apartment will entertain and inspire, as readers embrace the struggles and successes of two very unforgettable women.
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Sometimes a book isn’t so much about the answers, but about the lingering intrigue and the desire to know more about the subject. The subject is Marthe de Florian, a real-life Parisian Belle Epoque courtesan, and the treasures left undisturbed inside her apartment 70 years after it was vacated. This is the third novel I’ve read based on this historical sensation, and it’s been fun to see how this author blended her fictional tale with factual accounts. The premise of a modern day furniture specialist becoming immersed in the journals of the courtesan was good. I personally didn’t care for April, the furniture specialist, but I could appreciate the significance of her personality and her line of business throughout the story. As the personality of Marthe developed, through her journals, I found the ending quite clever and appropriate.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
I loved the combination of past and present in the narrative, where past information sometimes parallels and sometimes foreshadows the present plot line.
Very engaging. Couldn’t put it down.
A page turner for me and I loved the character and the story. Also it had some history to it which made it even more fascinating. A good read!
This book is much more complex that what you first may think. Very much enjoyed it.
Good, light reading. Some memorable parts, but the majority of the novel was a bit drawn out.
Not my type of book
Very entertaining with historical value. Worth reading
I was just very disappointed in the ending and with the main present day heroine.
It actually surprised me a couple of times. I thought I had it figured out pretty quickly and continued reading just to see how right I was. Well, how right I WASN’T! That’s always a plus in my book – and it wasn’t “the protaganist is always correct and saintly” either. I enjoyed the Paris of both eras as well. A nice, relaxing and enjoyable read.
There are so many layers in this compelling read. The characters are very real with their admirable traits & their flaws. There is obsession, mysteries (yes, more than one) & history. After reading the final pages, I continued to think about the characters & the one final mystery that came up at the very end but was not elaborated upon. A fine piece of writing.
Great read! Writing style could use a little more practice (this was a first novel). But it was very different and very interesting.
Good read
I loved this one. I want to read more of Ms. Gable
A great read!
Love the story line!!!!
Very imaginative and held my attention.
I really enjoyed this book !
This book was a good read especially for the summer. I found the way to make prudence was an interesting subject. It has a great ending. The auction life was one I knew very little about. I was left with more knowledge than when I first began.