When I came across Paris by the Book by Milwaukee writer Liam Callanan, I was immediately charmed. What could be more delightful than a bookstore in Paris and the people in involved especially when the main protagonists are from Milwaukee like me?
Well, it’s true you can’t judge a book by its cover, and Paris by the Book is a bit of disappointment.
This is a story of Leah Eady and her daughters Ellie and Daphne, who are trying to get over the disappearance of their husband and father Robert. Robert was always an odd duck, an eccentric novelist with one best selling book. At first, Leah and the girls weren’t too upset. Robert was known to leave the household on his various “writer-aways.” But this time it was different. Leah knew she had to find him. And when she discovers plane tickets to Paris for her and the girls left by Robert, she knew they had to fly off to the city of light. Perhaps they’d find more clues on Robert’s disappearance and perhaps, Robert himself.
Paris had a special place in Leah’s heart. She and Robert bonded for their love of French culture. Leah, a budding filmmaker when the couple meet in Milwaukee, had a serious love for the film and book The Red Balloon. And Robert was quite fond of the Madeline books. They often talk of going to Paris, but had to settle for traveling to Paris, Wisconsin.
Once in Paris, Leah comes across an English language bookstore and promptly buys it. Ellie and Daphne attend school in Paris, and go on all kinds of adventures. And with their mom, meet new people and make new friends.
Yet, Robert is never far from their hearts and minds. They keep thinking they seem him while in France, but is it all an illusion. Are they seeing him because they are hoping he’s still alive? And what will happen if they find him…or don’t.
This all should have been quite interesting for me. I truly wanted to root for Leah. Yet, I couldn’t. For some reason I couldn’t connect with Leah. She just wasn’t written in a relatable way. I did like the kids, so perhaps a book about these two interesting and resilient kids would have meant more to me.
As for Robert. He was jerk. I despised what he did to his family. And after awhile, I questioned Leah’s devotion to him.
The story is written in a choppy, yet meandering way that made it difficult to follow and get engrossed in. Paris by the Book should have been a book that j’adore. Too bad j’don’t.
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