A Disappointing Book

The 6:41 to Paris by Jean-Philippe Blondel.

One of the other participants in Paris in July recommended this book. She didn't say anything about it, just had it in a list of books with Paris themes. But I decided to read it.

I didn't like it much. It was boring and predictable. Maybe 100 years ago it would have been innovative to have all the narrative take place in the heads of two people sitting next to each other on a train. It's too late for that gimmick to seem innovative; too late for it to seem anything but trite.

One of my goals in selecting books about Paris for this month's blogging event is to read books by French authors that are intended mainly for a French audience. This one does fit that description. Of course the details of the two characters' completely French lives fits this. Details that they relive while pretending not to recognize each other. But I was mainly bored, I'm sorry to say.

For more and maybe better books about Paris and many other memories and thoughts about Paris, see Paris in July hosted at the blog Thyme for Tea.