A Paris Apartment

Written by:
Michelle Gable
Narrated by:
Saskia Maarleveld , Erin Moon

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
218
Narrator
94
Release Date
April 2014
Duration
16 hours 4 minutes
Summary
Where Moulin Rouge meets The Paris Wife lies THE PARIS APARTMENT, a rich and colorful work by debut author Michelle Gable. When her boss tells her about the discoveries in a cramped, decrepit apartment in the ninth arrondissement, Sotheby' s continental furniture specialist April Vaught does not hear 'dust' or 'rats' or 'shuttered for seventy years'. She hears Paris. She hears escape. She cannot board the plane fast enough. When she arrives, April quickly learns the apartment is more than just some rich hoarder' s repository. Beneath the dust and cobwebs and stale perfumed air is a literal goldmine and not just in terms of actual dollars. First, there' s a portrait painted by one of the masters of the Belle Epoque. Then there are letters and diaries and a thousand indications the woman who lived there was more than a renowned courtesan with enviable dEcolletage. Suddenly it' s no longer about the bureau plats and Louis-style armchairs that will fetch millions at auction. It' s about a life. Two lives, actually. With the help of a salty Parisian solicitor and hundreds of private documents, April tries to uncover the secrets buried in the apartment. As she digs her fingers into one woman' s life, April can' t help but take a deeper look into her own. When two things she left bubbling back in the states begin to boil over, the problems she thought she had suddenly look quaint, more ancient than the shuttered flat. April starts to wonder if in this apartment, in this life, she' ll ever find what she' s looking for.
Browse By Category
Reviews
Profile Avatar
CathE

Fascinating and captivating till the end I googled Boldinis work

Profile Avatar
Sirrah704

Soooooo enjoyed this book. You are immediately drawn into the story and it has a great rhythm that you want to keep listening. The author did a great job of developing the characters which enhanced the plot. Highly recommend this read/listen. The narrators were great at harmoniously delivering the story.

Profile Avatar
Evelyn P.

This was one of those books I got completely immersed in and was so sorry when it ended! The narrator was very good and brought the story to life wonderfully. Working from home during Covid has meant less travelling time, so as I always listen in the car it took a while - nice to have stretched it out.

Profile Avatar
Shaun G.

OMG! The bones of this story are interesting. But the telling of the tale is so horrible it pains my ears. The cartoonish French accents are so awful that I hoped those characters would not reappear in the story. The writing of the main character April is bad too. It’s hard to feel love or attachment to a woman who is dumb. Yuck.

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

Horrible narration. Terrible French accents. Numerous mis pronunciations of French words. Way too long. April was an annoying spoiled teenager like character. Would never recommend this book!

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

The narrator was good enough, but I abandoned the book. While the plot had potential, the book never seemed to justify the use of expletives. Shock value, maybe?

Profile Avatar
Kenneth D.

A VIP book. Writing was poor and the narrator was not very good in my opinion although her French pronunciations were very good. The story had a different rending than expected; however, it did not improve the overall rating of the book. The 35 year old protaginist sound more like a 15 year old teen.

I enjoyed the book.

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

After reading other ratings, I was hopeful about this book. I didn’t really care for it. I felt like the story line was forced. Too many things happening in this one person’s life, but it’s more than just that. I can’t really think of the words I want to describe it. Maybe it just wasn’t for me. I don’t know. I wish I had liked it.

Profile Avatar
Carol B.

Truly an excellent book! The narration was done very well. I am usually not so interested in historical novels, but the mixture of bygone days and now with all the relationships and problems fascinated me BECAUSE the characters were so very well described.

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters came to life for me and I was eager to learn more about Marte's life. The end of her life was a bit of a surprise. The narration was one of the best since I have started listening to audiobooks. And I liked that the diaries being read by someone else.

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

Two interesting stories, one from the 1900s and one contemporary, told in turns. Both have some basis in actual events and people which I didn’t realise until I started Googling the Belle Epoque characters. I particularly liked the narrator of Marthe’s diaries. At first I was a bit daunted by the length of the book but then didn’t want it to end.

Profile Avatar
Paul G.

No not my cup of tea, the french accent was terrible and this added to a bland story, i made myself listen to it as i wasted a credit on it

Profile Avatar
Louise McCartney

I really enjoyed this book, an interesting look at Paris in the Golden Age.

Profile Avatar
Catherine C.

Narrator did make some characters sound like a bit of a cliché but overall it was very good. The concept of the story was interesting if a little bit drawn out. I enjoyed it.

Profile Avatar
Tali B.

OK book good to listen to on holiday

Profile Avatar
Talita A.

Loved the story, it was full of surprises, and so well written!

Profile Avatar
Ruthless621

Incredibly frustrating character in April…far too juvenile and self-absorbed for the story, made even more so by the narrators uncomfortable rhythmic lilt and young vocal tone. Even more frustrating were the efforts to speak French…anything!! And why was every chapter introduced by the French word for chapter with an English number?! Ridiculous! Either or please! The story had promise that wasn’t met.

Profile Avatar
Becky H.

The story was good but slow. The main narrator’s voice so grating and offensive to listen to, I almost quit listening.

Profile Avatar
Carol M.

Decent book. I enjoyed the plot development. The narration wasn’t my favorite- too contrived.

Profile Avatar
Jamie K.

The story line was interesting and going between two women's stories was a fun way to present the stories. The writer was very wordy, too much description of things that didn't help the story. It could have been cut down by a third at least.

Profile Avatar
CatherineBrennon

Not for me thanks. Gave up after a torturous 2 hours. Shallow, obvious plot, appalling pseudo French accent etc .etc.

Profile Avatar
Connie

I liked this book. However, the characters didn’t seem congruent with themselves at times. Narration was not great.

Profile Avatar
Stephanie C.

Intriguing story based on some real life people and events. The Frenchman’s accent was perfect!

Profile Avatar
Allison S.

I love this book. Based loosely on real people and a real painting. I was totally enchanted. I highly recommend.

Profile Avatar
Hannah L.

This book is so, so bad. April’s character is insufferable and I found myself dreading her chapters. I was hoping for a fun escape to Paris and a step back in time, but it took me weeks to finish because April was such an unenjoyable character.

Profile Avatar
Joy S.

Basically I liked this book and it’s narration. The switch to French often left me confused. I wonder if I had the print edition if it would have helped (I only have a little French training and it was mainly how to order food - very basic).

Profile Avatar
Linda D.

Ok, long. Sometimes it T drug

Profile Avatar
Nancy C.

I finished the book but never connected with the characters. I learned about Boldini. Will not be a memorable book of mine

Profile Avatar
Mary B.

It was fine. The characters to me weren't all that likable or compelling. At times the French accent and the brother's accent sounded ridiculous. However, it was interesting and there were attempts at fleshing out the characters. It was a great book for taking long walks. It didn't require a lot of thought nor will it result in much reflection. It would make a terrific beach read!!

Profile Avatar
Michael P.

Sadly, depressing and parts… No need to introduce a dreadful disease when so many people we know have it now… Just another upsetting remembrance.

Profile Avatar
Jessica Gonzalez

This was such a wonderful journey. The Paris Apartment takes the reader on a journey of old Paris and the current Paris. I was thoroughly entertained, and was so sad when the book finished because the characters and the story line was great.

Profile Avatar
Renee G.

Beautifully written and narrated. A must read!

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

The only issue was the narrator made the character Luke come off as kind of sleazy sounding….once that image formed it was hard to picture him any other way, considering the dialogue seems otherwise.

Profile Avatar
Jamie

I really enjoyed this story. The different layers were fascinating to listen to. It was a long story, but I could’ve listen to more.

Profile Avatar
Akjemal M.

An easy listen and follow book with a great narration.

Profile Avatar
Sarah G.

Enjoyed the story and the narration! Well done.

Profile Avatar
Sabra G.

Good story but sooo long and I got bored in the middle. I hung on and finished.

Profile Avatar
Ginger S.

Not a typical historical reader but this story captured me from the beginning. Loved the dual stories, such an interesting way to portray the past by reading the diaries. Absolutely loved the somewhat twisted ending. Narrators were spectacular.

Profile Avatar
Patty I

The best narrator I’ve ever heard. Good book and story line but the narrator really made it. Wish I could give 10 stars!!

Profile Avatar
Marie P.

Thoroughly enjoyed, so much I bought a poster of the Boldini! Voices were great. Delightful to become lost in the past and see Paris in the present.

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

Great book.. a little long

Profile Avatar
Karen W.

Narrator does a great job with all of the different characters she was great!

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

I really loved this book, and the narration was outstanding. I liked the characters and history. The author also gave enough information (without being too much) to anticipate some of the story. I only wish, there would have been more background and feeling for Troy—he came across hard and callous.

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

Could not stand the narrators voice. Ridiculous accents pretending it’s French

Profile Avatar
Tamara R.

Loved it! I was fascinated when I first heard about the locked up Paris apartment, so this was wonderful!

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

Great listen

Profile Avatar
Terresa

Great book. Loved the setting.

Profile Avatar
Charmed205

Loved this book very well written so many twists. And the narrator does the accents very well.

Profile Avatar
Nancy S.

Loved the book and the narrator was great! Would love to know if there is a part two

Profile Avatar
Paula Y.

I love this book I'm so intriguing and especially the person doing the readings were really good

Profile Avatar
Pam B.

Loved it , the dual stories were both very interesting. The narrator was also good .

Profile Avatar
Stacey Trzeciak

Thoroughly enjoyed the story lines in the book. The narrators were great.

Profile Avatar
colleen alexander

I enjoyed this book. There are two different stories going on. One in the past one current. I thought the narrator was great.

1 book added to cart
Subtotal
$29.99
View Cart