I think I saw the movie of this book but don't really remember. I read another book by Diane Johnson and thought I would read more, but now I'm asking myself why? I had the impression that this book would be a quick, light and easy to read book. However, I found it difficult to read, very wordy, with sentences that went on and on. I was going to read the other two books "Le marriage" and "L'affaire" but now am reconsidering....

My thoughts are mixed. At times I liked it. I thought it reasonably well written. I enjoyed reading about Paris and the two sisters and all that came with that. However, at times I struggled. It seemed to lack a real plot. It read more like someone's diary. I kept waiting for it to go somewhere and it really never did.

It was described as chick lit but it was much too sad and foreboding for that description. Some of the topics that were touched on are rarely discussed in chick lit, which I have to say I liked because it challenged my thinking more than I expected it to. The ending came out of nowhere and didn't seem to fit with the rest of the book. I have no idea why the author took the book in that direction but it didn't seem to work in my opinion.

I saw the movie after reading the book. I felt the same about it as I did the book.

This story takes place in Paris,the eternal city so they say. It's a story of a comedy of manners and morals,throw in a bad marriage,money and murder,all of the elements of a good story.
Isabel Walker lands in Paris,city of amusements and pleasures,where four fifths of the inhabitants are dying of unhappiness,she has come to visit her stepsister,Roxe, who is married to an aristocratic French painter who has assured her of a place in Parisian society,however by the time of Isabel's arrival,the husband has left her for the wife of another man even though they have an eight year old daughter,what a time for " Le Divorce".
While Isabel finds herself seduced by gourmet food,antiques and an older man,while Her sisters marriage disintegrates into arguments over money and a family painting.
Will Isabel keep her perspective and her love life intact as cultures and passions collide?
I should mention that toward the ending of the story many of the characters find themselves in EuroDisney and I wondered what " Voltaire" would have thought of "EuroDisney"

If we do not find anything pleasant,at least we shall find something new.
~~~~~~~~~~Voltaire~~~~~~~~~

Sensational! I thought I was picking up a quick vacation read. Who knew that Diane Johnson has been nominated for both a Pulitzer and the National Book Award? What a writer! Divorce is not really the topic here, it's just the vehicle that pulls you through hilarious observations on cultural differences --- this is perfect for anyone who is a world traveler. BIG BONUS. I got to read it during several bathtub sessions while Jack and I were staying in a Paris apartment on the rue de Cherche-Midi.

honestly, and by now you know how i love my chick lit, but i really didn't like this one. i found the characters self-indulgent and more than a little irritating. some of the expat discussions are interesting; otherwise, i may have given this only one star.

i have had this book (with the original cover, not the movie cover) for several years...i'm trying one more time to get into it. seemed like a good one for the beach and pool, but i usually find myself abandoning the book for the water!

Expatriate novelist Diane Johnson portrays the commonality and differences of the human experience of both French and Americans living in Paris. Unfornately, in my opinion, there was too much adultery and too many banal affairs for my tastes.

If I could give this book less than one star I would. Horrible. The movie might be better, but I don't want to waste my time. I give this book a solid "OH Puuhleeese".

Johnson's keen focus on Americans in Paris is illuminating. I loved the culture clash, as well as the unexpectedness of where she takes you in this book. There's nothing predictable about her plot.

I was a bit disappointed in where Johnson leaves her young heroine, Isabel Walker, seemingly just as driftless and aimless as before. In a book of character development, I wanted her to learn just a little more and grow more as a person.

I, too would have liked to rate this book 2-1/2. Fortunately, i was in Paris as i read this and i think that helped me to keep reading. A couple of interesting cultural observations, but weak, unbeliable story line. On the plus side, it was nice to read about an American adjusting to living in Paris.

Boring fluff

Meh. It started fairly well, but finishing the book was exhausting. It didn't really seem like the main character grew at all. I normally love this sort of book, I eat up chick lit/memoir-like reads, but usually the narrative of these books builds to some major growth or revelation. This one just fell flat for me.