Paris Stories

Mavis Gallant, an internationally celebrated author, brings her unparalleled skill to this collection of short stories set in Paris. Edited by Michael Ondaatje, this selection captures the essence of the city through the lives of its diverse inhabitants, from expatriates to locals. Gallant's prose masterfully evokes the nuances of exile, homecoming, and the passage of time, offering a rich tapestry of human experience./n/nThe stories in 'Paris Stories' paint a vivid portrait of Paris, revealing the city's many layers and the illusions of youth and age. Gallant's keen observations and lyrical writing style create a kaleidoscopic impression of life within the world that is Paris, making this collection a must-read for lovers of literary fiction.

Reviews

Radhika's Reading Retreat · 2025-07-25

excellent 4.50

The collection is exquisitely crafted, with layered narratives and richly drawn complex characters. It is a masterclass in storytelling.

Radhika's Reading Retreat praises Mavis Gallant's Paris Stories as an exquisitely crafted collection. They highlight the layered narratives and richly drawn complex characters, describing it as a masterclass in storytelling. The reviewer appreciates the depth and complexity of the stories, noting that Gallant's writing is both insightful and heartbreaking. They feel that the collection is a must-read for anyone who appreciates well-crafted short stories.

Quick quotes

In a nutshell, Mavis Gallant's Paris Stories is an exquisitely crafted collection; a masterclass in layered narratives, richly drawn complex characters, and insightful storytelling.

The stories are both mysterious and heartbreaking, offering a deep and nuanced look at the lives of expatriates and exiles.

Gallant's writing is a testament to her skill as a storyteller, with each tale offering a unique and compelling perspective.

Cincinnati Review · 2016-04-06

mixed 3.00

The collection contains sharp and unforgettable scenes, but the author seems to care less about the overall narrative structure. The stories are a mix of insightful and forgettable.

The reviewer from the Cincinnati Review highlights that Mavis Gallant's Paris Stories contains some truly sharp and unforgettable scenes. However, they feel that Gallant seems to care less about the overall narrative structure, leading to a mix of insightful and forgettable stories. The collection is described as a bit uneven, with some tales standing out more than others. The reviewer appreciates the depth and complexity of the characters and the settings, but feels that the lack of a cohesive narrative structure detracts from the overall reading experience.

Quick quotes

It's not that she can't write them—there are scenes throughout Paris Stories that are sharp and unforgettable—but Gallant seems to care less about the overall narrative structure.

The collection is a mix of insightful and forgettable stories.

Gallant's strength lies in her ability to create complex characters and settings, but the lack of a cohesive narrative structure detracts from the overall reading experience.

Free Range Reading · 2012-01-08

great 4.00

The stories are funny and touching, with wonderfully fleshed-out characters and incredible endings. The collection is a mix of heartbreaking and insightful tales.

Free Range Reading highlights the funny and touching nature of Mavis Gallant's Paris Stories, praising the wonderfully fleshed-out characters and incredible endings. They note that the collection is a mix of heartbreaking and insightful tales, with each story offering a unique perspective on the lives of expatriates and exiles. The reviewer appreciates Gallant's ability to create complex and compelling characters, as well as her skill in crafting stories that are both emotionally resonant and intellectually stimulating.

Quick quotes

It's a funny and touching piece with wonderfully fleshed out characters and an incredible ending.

The Remission is a sad tale of a man who struggles to come to terms with his past.

Gallant's stories are a mix of heartbreaking and insightful, offering a deep and nuanced look at the lives of expatriates and exiles.

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