Paris, Paris: Journey into the City of Light

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

"Beautifully written and refreshingly original . . . makes us see Paris in a different light."-San Francisco Chronicle Book Review Swapping his native San Francisco for the City of Light, travel writer David Downie arrived in Paris in 1986 on a one-way ticket, his head full of romantic notions. Curiosity and the legs of a cross-country runner propelled him daily from an unheated, seventh-floor walk-up garret near the Champs-Elysees to the old Montmartre haunts of the doomed painter Modigliani, the tombs of P re-Lachaise cemetery, the luxuriant alleys of the Luxembourg Gardens and the aristocratic le Saint-Louis midstream in the Seine. Downie wound up living in the chic Marais district, married to the Paris-born American photographer Alison Harris, an equally incurable walker and chronicler. Ten books and a quarter-century later, he still spends several hours every day rambling through Paris, and writing about the city he loves. An irreverent, witty romp featuring thirty-one short prose sketches of people, places and daily life, Paris, Paris- Journey into the City of Light ranges from the glamorous to the least-known corners and characters of the world's favorite city. Photographs by Alison Harris. Praise for Paris, Paris "I loved his collection of essays and anyone who's visited Paris in the past, or plans to visit in the future, will be equally charmed as well."-David Lebovitz, author of The Sweet Life in Paris " A quirky, personal, independent view of the city, its history and its people"-Mavis Gallant "Gives fresh poetic insight into the city . . . a voyage into 'the bends and recesses, the jagged edges, the secret interiors' of Paris ."-Departures

Reviews

Like the guide who leads us through The Hermitage and its history in Sokurovs 'Russian Ark, David Downie is the master of educated curiosity. With him we discover Paris, a seemingly public citythat is, in fact, full of secretsgreat lives, lives wasted on the bizarre; forgotten artisans; lost graves (lost till now); the papillons nocturnes; and the poinonneur des Lilas. I have walked some of the citys streets with him, and reading this book is just as tactile an experience. Michael Ondaatje

beautifully written and refreshingly originalCurious and attentive to detail, Downie is appreciative yet unflinching in describing his adopted home makes us see [Paris] in a different light.David Armstrong, San Francisco Chronicle Book Review

The delightful and insightful essays in Paris, Paris meld history, atmosphere and observations on Paris places, Paris people and Paris phenomena.John Marshall, Seattle Post-Intelligencer and Chicago Tribune

Downie is a saunterer, wandering down the narrow ancient streets of the le de la Cit, picnicking in storied graveyards like Pre-Lachaise, observing a seduction at Jardin du Luxembourg with a birder's patience. captures the sort of people and places missed by those jetting from starred bistros to hotels with showers.Dan Rubin, The Philadelphia Inquirer

gives fresh poetic insight into the city a voyage into the bends and recesses, the jagged edges, the secret interiors [of Paris].Dory Kornfeld, Departures

David Downies prose illuminates Paris with an unequaled poignancy and passion. He understands and evokes the soul and the substance of the city with a critics intelligence and a lovers heart. He makes me want to live in Paris again.Don George, Contributing Editor, National Geographic Traveler

Perhaps the most evocative American book about Paris since A Moveable Feast. Jan Morris

[A] quirky, personal, independent view of the city, its history and its people. Residents will recognize a place they can vouch for and not the clichs so frequently conjured up to match the legends. Visitors and newcomers are bound to find Paris, Paris reliable company as they discover the citys beauties and pleasures and its problems too.Mavis Gallant

Downie brilliantly upholds the American expat tradition of portraying the City of Light with an original and endearing touch.John Flinn, Travel Editor, San Francisco Sunday Chronicle

If there is one book Id read before heading to the City of Light, Paris, Paris is it. Downie, a longtime Paris resident and roamer, writes with knowledge and verve, pinning down the funny and the sublime as he captures on his canvas the quirks, foibles and follies, and the peculiar mystery of the people and places, that make up this wonderful city. Harriet Welty-Rochefort, author of French Toast and French Fried

All visitors to Paris who want their eyes opened and their knowledge widened should buy David Downies irresistible collection of Paris essays. Take the book with you on walks and be astonished at his sense of detail and place; read it in bed or over a glass of wine in a caf, and be introduced to a Paris few know. The text is immaculately complemented by Alison Harris beautiful and evocative photographs.Anton Gill, author of Il Gigante and Peggy Guggenheim, a biography

"I loved his collection of essays and anyone whos visited Paris in the past, or plans to visit in the future, will be equally charmed as well.--David Lebovitz, author of The Sweet Lifein Paris

When good Americans die, Oscar Wilde wrote, they go to Paris. Dont wait that long. David Downies new book reflects the city and its light with such power that its title says it twice. Paris, Paris shimmers with wit and mesmerizes with wisdom. With splendid photographs by Alison Harris, it is as the French would say un must. Mort Rosenblum

[Downies] is not a superficial examination of Paris but rather a deep understanding and appreciation for all that is quirky, unique or enchanting about the citythose everyday folk who bring Paris to lifeOne of the most entertaining and interesting books written about Paris that we have found. Diane Ohanian, FranceOnYourOwn.com

"Paris, Paris,presents the places, people, and phenomena of the city with unequaled intelligence and passion [...] an enchanting valentine to an ageless love."--Don George, Trip Lit for NationalGeographic.com


Compelling... a rapturous, history-rich love poem--Pauline Frommer, Toronto Star

"Suitable for serious Francophiles and curious spectators alike, this book paints Paris from a delightful, fresh perspective." --Andrea Rappaprt, Sacramento Book Review

Author Bio

An American journalist based in Paris since 1986, David Downie has written about European culture, food and travel for magazines and newspapers worldwide. He was a Paris correspondent for Salon.com, Departures, Appellation, and Art & Antiques, and has contributed to epicurious.com, concierge.com and many other websites. Currently he is a European correspondent for Gadling.com, the popular literary travel site. The author of a dozen works of nonfiction and fiction, Downie's writing has also appeared in many anthologies, among them The Collected Traveler Paris, Southwest France and Central Italy; Salon.com's Wanderlust; Travelers' Tales- Adventures in Wine Country; By The Seat of My Pants; and A Moveable Feast. Please visit David Downie's website www.davidddownie.com