by Amal Kharbichi ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 27, 2015
Insider travel information from an erudite author.
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A guide to traveling in Paris by a debut author and self-proclaimed “citizen of the world.”
After dining with two friends who had vastly different experiences on long-anticipated trips to Paris—largely due to differing degrees of planning and preparation—Kharbichi decided to use her knowledge of her adopted hometown to create her own travel guide. Writing as “your Parisian friend,” she offers personalized experiences in the City of Light, focused around vacationers’ particular preferences. After a general overview of Paris, she dedicates chapters to culture, romance, style, and cuisine. The book concludes with crucial travel information for getting to and around the city. One of the introductory chapters offers an extremely helpful guide to the primary attractions and accommodations in each arrondissement, in numerical order, originating at the center of the city. Typical travel guide information, such as addresses, telephone numbers, hours, and fees, is interspersed with chatty prose. Topics range from libraries to cheese to libertine clubs appropriate only for consenting adults. As a result, Kharbichi offers advice on subjects generally not covered by most run-of-the-mill travel books as well as informational sections on currently popular French style and wine appreciation. Her easy, conversational prose makes this book feel like one is sitting down with a friend, discussing Paris over a glass of wine or cup of coffee. The book’s companion website includes beautiful color photographs that the book lacks, although the site’s full content is only available to registered users who have purchased the book. While this work is enjoyable enough to read from cover to cover, readers can peruse any one section without any loss of understanding, though an index would have been useful.
Insider travel information from an erudite author.Pub Date: Aug. 27, 2015
ISBN: 978-2-95-520450-4
Page Count: 222
Publisher: Metis Press
Review Posted Online: Oct. 29, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2015
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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by E.T.A. Hoffmann ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 28, 1996
This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996
ISBN: 0-15-100227-4
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996
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by Ludwig Bemelmans ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 23, 1955
An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.
Pub Date: Feb. 23, 1955
ISBN: 0670717797
Page Count: -
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1955
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