The Paris Hours by Alex George

 Set in Paris in 1927, the City of Lights, vibrates with artists of all kinds. However, the story gives the center stage to four ordinary people, who rub elbows with famous artists. By meeting another person, they learn something about themselves. And sometimes what one person needs is simply kindness.

Armenian refugee, Souren Balakian, escapes brutality of his native country imposed by invading Turks. “Being forced from their homes and driven eastwards, into the Syrian desert, to die.” He makes his way to Europe, remembering his mother’s words, “there were more than three hundred types of cheese made in France.” And he intended to eat every one of them. When he understands what makes him safe, being invisible, he takes his life in that direction by creating puppets and performing at the Luxembourg Gardens, beneath the chestnut trees where he waits for children to come. Escaping his brutal past and through an encounter with another person, he realizes what he’s been craving the most - the human kindness.

Guillaume Blanc escapes a small French country place and dreams of joining the ranks of the famous Parisian artists. He is struggling for now, but his fate might be changing today with a new patron, American novelist and art collector Gertrude Stein. She is to come and view his collection.

Jean-Paul Maillard, a journalist, dreams of America. “The first Americans he met were soldiers.” When he thinks of America, he thinks of hope. He likes to observe the world, rather than be observed. He likes telling other people’s stories, rather than revealing his own, which also explains why he is a journalist. When he interviews Josephine Baker, American-born French entertainer, she reveals how different her life was in America and that’s why she made France her home. He realizes that her celebrity is a mask and now he needs to face his.

Camille Clermont, once the maid for Marcel Proust, now she visits his grave with her daughter every week. While working for Proust, she gets surprised when he asks her about her childhood. How a man of such status who spends evenings with duchesses wearing tiaras could be interested in a simple country girl? He tells her why and he also tells her, “The only place where you can regain lost paradise is in yourself.” What he gives her is her independence.

Each of the characters tries to escape the past, at least some aspect of it, but by escaping it they can’t free themselves from what haunts them. They need to face it. By encountering another person, it helps them learn something about themselves. Some see the mirror image of their experience; some see how little it takes to make another person happy. Through their life journeys we get a glimpse at their life lessons, which may even mirror some of ours. This is more than just a touching read. It has a deeper meaning. It’s up to you if you want to tap into it and learn a deeper message.

The events happen over one day, but the stories of protagonists alternate between the present day and their pasts, revealing deeply touching stories, taking a reader on a very engaging journey and leaving with a lingering effect.

Masterfully written and evoking human emotions, this story weaves human natures and touches upon many depths of not only those characters but also ours. Thus, creating a deep connection with the story.

Release date: 5 May 2020

Source: Flatiron Books