This is part of my Summer Reads series where I’ll be reviewing a series of “not just cookbooks”.
I’m a sucker for books about expat life in Paris. Right from the synopsis, I knew there would be a lot of “Paris: A Life Less Ordinary (a memoir)” I would relate to…
Paris is a dream for many and it was no different for American, Krystal Kenney, when she set out to conquer her dream of living abroad and starting her photography business in the city of light. She falls in love with Paris, but quickly learns that Paris does not love her back as she embarks on a challenging relationship with the city forcing her to fall apart before she can pickup the pieces and build herself into a modern independent woman. This book takes readers inside a messy but ultimately rewarding story including tales of dating blunders, how one moves to Paris, crazy events, and finding love as a coming of age memoir.
LOL. A “challenging relationship” with Paris. Something I can totally relate to. I moved to Paris on my own (on a one-way ticket) and stayed for over 5 years. It was not an easy 5 years (pre-Internet – yes I am that old – which made navigating all the administrative tasks MORE than challenging, sometimes downright impossible) but even when life was hard, there was something about Paris that just draws you in. It’s hard to quit her, for sure.
It seems American expat Krystal Kenney feels the same as she arrived as a 26 year old, ready to start a new adventure but her life in Paris doesn’t quite go the way she expects it to. Though she’s not right out of school, she definitely has stars in her eyes when she arrives in Paris and, I expect, no idea that the city would “rip her to shreds” over the course of the next few years. Kenney’s is a messy journey – which goes from euphoric highs to crushing lows – it’s a roller coaster of emotions.
The book is like reading through a journal and it reads really easily. The chapters are short and sweet and whilst this might feel disjointed to some (there are 53 very short chapters), I actually found it a perfect read for my pandemic brain which can only handle so much information at once and short chapters are perfect. Each story reads as a snippet from a journal entry or possibly a column – perfect little bites of Paris life, the good, the bad and the ugly! It’s definitely an eye-opening read for anyone who might be contemplating the move and it might make you think twice (although if you’ve ever visited Paris and long to live there you might not care!).
I enjoyed this book – a real throwback to my own time there but a fun summer read for those who can’t get to Paris this year or who want to live vicariously through someone else’s story. And, spoiler: Paris didn’t just “rip her to shreds” – Kenney is now a successful photographer (check out her website and her beautiful Instagram feed). She used all those experiences, good and, especially the bad, to “glue the pieces back together in a new, beautiful form”.
A most definitely recommended Summer Read!
Buy Paris: A Life Less Ordinary (a memoir) – on Amazon (this link should bring you to the Amazon store geographically closest to you).
Please note: This post contains affiliate links. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This means that if you click over and purchase something, I will receive a very small percentage of the purchase price (at no extra cost to you). Thank you in advance!
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MY BOOK! In the French kitchen with kids is out now! Click here for details and how to order!
I can well remember your early days in Paris, Mardi, when the city of light – or at least some people living there – sought to bring you down. Nice post.
Sometimes it definitely felt like the entire city!
Thank you so much for sharing my book 💕💕💕
Of course! Loved it!