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Product Description
Review
"[Kelly's] book, its chapters highlighting eight separate visits beginning in 1979 after high school graduation, is at times pensive, sardonic and laugh-out-loud funny, as it chronicles a real life with all its comedies and tragedies." (Calgary Herald 20090527)
"Erudite, charming, and yet sharply appraising, Kelly's ode to Paris evokes the spirit of the city itself. A lovely book." (Patrice Pearson 20100527)
"Paris Times Eight is a fast-paced, breezy read, its substance subtly woven into a tale of a city whose glamour and beauty never fades." (Ottawa Citizen 20090910)
"A resonant and intriguing voyage of self-discovery." (Adam Egoyan 20090518)
"Deirdre Kelly is the latest in a line of marvelous writers from Steinbeck to Gertrude Stein who have found their muse in Paris. Hers is a poignant, honest and deliciously sexy coming-of-age story that speaks to any woman who has been there, or ever dreams of going." (Jan Wong, author of "Beijing Confidential" 20090608)
"In this elegantly written memoir, Deirdre Kelly evokes her infatuation with Paris. These eight chapters contain hundreds of adventures, subtly combining poetical descriptions with vivid, confessional details. We leave Kelly's City of Dreams refreshed and fulfilled." (Julie Enfield, author of "Kiss and Tell: An Intimate History of Kissing" 20090901)
"Witty and candid, this book reveals how cities are as much creations of the imagination as they are constructs of steel, stone, and glass." (Richard Florida, author of "Who's Your City?" 20090915)
"Written in a very engaging style...This charming travel memoir shows us how a person and a city can grow and change in tandem." (Booklist 20091001)
"For personal memoirs on Paris with a Canuck slant, check out Toronto author Deirdre Kelly's Paris Times Eight: Finding Myself in the City of Dreams." (Flare 20091101)
"Kelly recounts how each of her visits to the French capital coincided with a major change in her life, and helped her become the self-proclaimed fashionista she is today. 'Each time I am in Paris, I find myself studying the female populace, emulating the way they wear their hair and tie a scarf, paint their nails and walk everywhere in heels.' Men might even enjoy this read..." (France Guide Prestige 2010 20091111)
"In Kelly's book, Paris comes alive as a character: detailed descriptions abound as Kelly captures the depth, vivacity, and uniqueness of Paris that its champions strive to relate to those who have never experienced it...I found that the greatest accomplishment of Paris Times Eight was its power to rouse in me the longing and hunger for Paris that drove Kelly for nearly thirty years. So, get reading -- I'll meet you at the airport." (SheDoesTheCity.com )
"Erudite, charming, and yet sharply appraising, Kelly's ode to Paris evokes the spirit of the city itself. A lovely book." (Patrice Pearson 20100527)
"Paris Times Eight is a fast-paced, breezy read, its substance subtly woven into a tale of a city whose glamour and beauty never fades." (Ottawa Citizen 20090910)
"A resonant and intriguing voyage of self-discovery." (Adam Egoyan 20090518)
"Deirdre Kelly is the latest in a line of marvelous writers from Steinbeck to Gertrude Stein who have found their muse in Paris. Hers is a poignant, honest and deliciously sexy coming-of-age story that speaks to any woman who has been there, or ever dreams of going." (Jan Wong, author of "Beijing Confidential" 20090608)
"In this elegantly written memoir, Deirdre Kelly evokes her infatuation with Paris. These eight chapters contain hundreds of adventures, subtly combining poetical descriptions with vivid, confessional details. We leave Kelly's City of Dreams refreshed and fulfilled." (Julie Enfield, author of "Kiss and Tell: An Intimate History of Kissing" 20090901)
"Witty and candid, this book reveals how cities are as much creations of the imagination as they are constructs of steel, stone, and glass." (Richard Florida, author of "Who's Your City?" 20090915)
"Written in a very engaging style...This charming travel memoir shows us how a person and a city can grow and change in tandem." (Booklist 20091001)
"For personal memoirs on Paris with a Canuck slant, check out Toronto author Deirdre Kelly's Paris Times Eight: Finding Myself in the City of Dreams." (Flare 20091101)
"Kelly recounts how each of her visits to the French capital coincided with a major change in her life, and helped her become the self-proclaimed fashionista she is today. 'Each time I am in Paris, I find myself studying the female populace, emulating the way they wear their hair and tie a scarf, paint their nails and walk everywhere in heels.' Men might even enjoy this read..." (France Guide Prestige 2010 20091111)
"In Kelly's book, Paris comes alive as a character: detailed descriptions abound as Kelly captures the depth, vivacity, and uniqueness of Paris that its champions strive to relate to those who have never experienced it...I found that the greatest accomplishment of Paris Times Eight was its power to rouse in me the longing and hunger for Paris that drove Kelly for nearly thirty years. So, get reading -- I'll meet you at the airport." (SheDoesTheCity.com )
Product Description
A poignant and often amusing reminiscence of growing to womanhood through eight visits to Paris.
For Deirdre Kelly, Paris is not only a dream city but also the place where she attains a deeper understanding of herself. Having always defined herself in opposition to her mother, Kelly finds in the city itself her "other mother," the mother of her imagination.
At nineteen, Kelly first arrives in Paris as a starry-eyed ingÈnue. In a subsequent visit she appears as a budding writer, eager for intellectual and sexual adventure, who interviews the legendary Nureyev and crashes an exclusive fashion show. In an emotionally charged return, Kelly takes her mother to Paris to meet her "other mother," with not altogether happy results. She also takes her future husband, who has his own connection to the city. On her last trip, she is a mother herself.
During all these visits, Paris is the constant, but Kelly's shifting emotional world creates varying perspectives on both the city and her evolving self. Paris emerges as a principal character, an influence that inspires and guides Kelly on her path to growth and maturity.
(20091124)
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Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Quick easy read,
By Deb "Deb" (Edmonton, Alberta Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Paris Times Eight (Paperback)
I bought this book because of the 5 star rating from all the other reviews. This book was an enjoyable read, however I'm hoping this book was cathartic for the author as she seemed to have a lot of pent up animosity towards her mother, employers and even so-called friends. She appears to be a very self-absorbed and spoiled child throughout. I almost gave up on finishing the book as her whinging became tiresome. I took the book in small doses - reading one chapter a night before bed - but near the end just wanted to finish it already. I did love her descriptive voice and her recounting her travels -if only she could have been less bitchy towards her hosts - jet lag maybe???!! Anyway fine read for most francophiles.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read!!!,
By
This review is from: Paris Times Eight (Paperback)
Paris Times Eight is exactly what I look for in my leisure reading: it is accessible but still smart, witty and engaging. It is a refreshing change from the typical narratives for female audiences - nothing is forced or exaggerated.The book is split up into 8 chapters, each a different trip to Paris. The chapters feel almost like short stories as they each take place in a different time in her life. Her experiences are all dramatically different - from young au pair to starving artist; a successful career womans romantic vacation to a mother/daughter trip; a lonely woman to one who is engaged - Kelly illustrates Paris from different poles and perspectives and it is enchanting from each. These short stories are interwoven together as a coming of age story as we see the author develop from as young as high school graduate to mother of two young children. The journey is poignant and thoughtful. This book does not suffer from the too heavy/dramatic perspective that is akin to many memoirs - it is light enough to read in one sitting, smart enough to make last and engaging enough to read more than once. Kelly's story is consistently honest and candid and its imagery is beautiful, sexy and subtle, like Paris itself.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Gorgeous writing,
By book lover (Paris, France) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Paris Times Eight (Paperback)
The author's writing is truly excellent and her descriptions of Paris enchanting. On page 180 she writes a memorable passage about meeting Rudolf Nureyev in a restaurant (to interview him) and then taking the number 68 bus together to the Palais Garnier. It is superb. For anyone who wants to really feel and understand this city, I'd recommend this book.
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