Oui, please.
The Life Before Us, Romain Gary (Emile Ajar)
This is the story of love, companionship, and compassion between Madame Rosa, a Holocaust survivor and former prostitute, and Momo, a young Muslim boy who lives with her. Momo, who is also the narrator, describes the colorful and lively working-class Parisian neighborhood with humor and tenderness.
The Life Before Us is one of those books that never leave you. It is deeply moving, truly heartbreaking but still utterly delightful and funny.
You'll love it if: You have a beating heart.
Buy it here.
The Ladies' Paradise, Emile Zola
In addition to being an enchanting love story, The Ladies' Paradise is a testimony of the rise of bourgeoisie and of the birth of department stores and the death of small businesses in 19th century Paris.
The descriptions are wonderful and you can't help but sympathize with Denise, a young woman from the French countryside, as she discovers Paris and makes it in an often cruel environment. (It is also the only book by Zola that won't make you want to cry yourself to sleep thinking about how much humans suck.)
You'll love it if you like: Jane Austen, Jane Eyre, shopping.
Buy it here.
