The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl

 

5*

The Paris Novel is a beautiful little gem of a book by Ruth Reichl, best known for her time as Editor-in-Chief of Gourmet Magazine and author of a series of engaging memoirs. It was the mention in one of her books of a little black dress she tried on while in Paris that inspired this book. I can’t help but think that much of what Reichl has written mirrors her own experiences, and the story is infused with her love for and knowledge of food. In fact, in the author notes, Reichl reveals that many of the famous people in her book she met in real life. It combines historical fiction (early 1980s), a bit of romance, a reluctant search for a missing father, and a mystery involving Victorine, the model for Edouard Manet’s Olympia, who eventually became a painter in her own right and then faded into obscurity thanks to jealous men.

After a horrendous childhood being raised by a cold, neglectful, narcissistic mother who looked the other way when she was being molested by one of her boyfriends, Stella has led a colorless, boring, but safe existence in NYC. After her mother dies and leaves her a small inheritance with the condition that she go to Paris, her boss forces her to take an extended vacation. Shortly after arriving, she wanders into a shop where the proprietress says she’s been waiting for her, the woman meant for a little black dress designed by Yves Saint Laurent. The dress begins a personal transformation and leads Stella to Jules, a grandfatherly figure who introduces her to the gastronomic delights of Paris and the dawning comprehension that she has a talent for cooking and a passion for food and wine that brings much-needed color to her life.

Her transformation is further aided by the comforting chaos of the Shakespeare and Co. bookstore where Stella finds a home away from home and a colorful cast of characters led by the grouchy but kind real-life George Whitman, who welcomed what he called his Tumbleweeds to use the store as a temporary home on three conditions: help in the store as needed, read a book a day, and write a one-page autobiography before you leave. One of the recurring responsibilities for Stella is to watch his 7-year-old (fictional) daughter Lucie, who is a great help in solving the mystery of Victorine. I couldn’t help but pause my reading many times to look up the people, places, paintings, and events that populate the book. Rather than pulling me away from the narrative, the light research enhanced it.

The entire book is a feast for the senses: the aromas of fine food, the scent of the flowers, the beauty of the landscape and architecture, and the fine art in the museums. Even the revolting description of eating the ortolans is something I won’t soon forget. Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Random House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

The Accidental Pinup by Danielle Jackson

 4*

In The Accidental Pinup, author Daniellle Jackson tackles misogyny, toxic masculinity, the patriarchy and systemic racism in both the fashion industry and the business community as a whole. Cass Harris is an educated, talented, successful photographer (and voluptuous, beautiful black woman) who has consistently been passed over for jobs in favor of Reid Montgomery, a white male competitor who is known for his vintage pinup-inspired style. While her Buxom Boudoir business (started with her supermodel, social media influencer, and emerging lingerie designer best friend Dana) is booming, she wants the recognition and prestige that would come with directing and shooting a major national advertising campaign. When Dana collaborates with Luscious Lingerie to produce her body-positive, edgy Dreamland line, it’s with the understanding that Cass, her muse, will be in charge. However, when Dana is forced to go on bed rest early in her pregnancy and the executives at Luscious express their discomfort working with a relatively unknown photographer, she is once again passed over for the job in favor of Reid. The compromise is for Cass to replace Dana as the primary model as well as serve as Art Director, but will the greedy capitalists on the board be able to step outside their comfort zone and back up their performative support for the body-confidence movement by entrusting a major campaign to a plus-size black woman?

 

When Reid and Cass start working together, sparks start to fly almost immediately despite their professional relationship. It’s a pleasure to see how they treat each other with mutual respect and share their love of both photography and their city of Chicago. However, will the pressures of family and finances destroy everything they’ve been building?

 

As someone who has more than a little knowledge of how shamefully the fashion industry treats curvy women and black models in particular, it is frustrating and stressful to read about Cass’s experiences since they accurately reflect the real struggles black women face in the business world. However, it’s a testament to Jackson that she makes readers uncomfortable. I also appreciate that she has a male protagonist who can admit when he’s wrong and who is attracted to a curvy woman without qualifiers. This story will appeal to readers who are looking for strong, successful heroines and have a passing interest in the fashion industry. Highly recommended.

 

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Berkley Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.