The scenes from Paris were enjoyable. It gives the right flavor for the city. The pace could have been quicker. The ending is surprising - not at all expected. I enjoyed the general story-telling quality of the novel.

Just because it has Kate Hudson on the cover, don't expect a feel good romantic comedy.

Given the art on the cover of this book, and that it was made into a movie staring Kate Hudson, I always assumed this book was chick-lit. Then I discovered that the author has been nominated twice for the Pulitzer Prize and I thought I better take a closer look. The reality is that this falls somewhere in the middle of mindless relationship nonsense and worthwhile literature. It is certainly better written than most chick-lit, and the dialogue between the characters is believable. The book features an American, Isabel, who travels to France to be with her pregnant step-sister Roxanne. Roxanne has recently been dumped by her Parisian husband for a a Yugoslavian mistress. In the middle of the divorce is a painting whose ownership comes in to question. There is a great deal of focus on the differences among Americans, Parisians, and the British. The book started out promising - I figured it would be a lot about the marriage and being an ex pat in Paris, but after about 150 pages, I completely lost interest. I found the characters boring despite the potential for complex inter-relationships, and the plot twists became too unbelievable in a way that I did not find satirical or humorous. I am surprised that this book won a National Book Award, and feel like I need to read more reviews on-line to find out the secret meaning I clearly missed.

Four stars for being expertly plotted and well-written and, most importantly, for doing what no book has done in a very long time: successfully and mindlessly drawing me into a fictional world. Not ordinarily my style of reading, but I thoroughly enjoyed this change from the otherwise "interior" Euro books I force upon myself.

This book was very strange. It was so boring until it wasn’t and then had very random, serious, sudden events that tried to bring the plot back to life. I did not really enjoy this book.

I hated that I didn't know all of the french because I felt like I was missing out. I found it pretensious at times but it was better than the movie, thats for sure.

This was a fun and light book on the surface; but it did explore the the cultural interplay and interactions between the Parisian/French, Americans, & Brits. There is a lot of thought put in to each of these groups impressions, thoughts, and habits when dealing with each other on money, divorce, art, food, sex, and family. The heroin is a smart girl who seizes an opportunity to grow beyond others expectation for her. Plus, it just has a nice bunch of sex, food, wine, murder, pregnancy, & suicide in it.

Prolly the worst book i've ever read. I've never struggled to just get it over with. Would reccoment NOT to read this!!!

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.

I am conflicted about this book. On one hand, I am morally repulsed by it, but on the other hand, I am philosophically fascinated by it. The fact that I lived in France for awhile enhances my fascination with this book. Although most of the characters live immoral lives, the story does an accurate job of juxtaposing Californians and Parisians. Note that I am specific about the regions. We can not judge the French by Parisians just as we can not judge Americans by New Yorkers, or Californians. Those from the South of France where I lived, were more accepting and loving towards Americans. The Parisians have this attitude that they are superior and get angry with Americans who don't agree with them. The author does a great job of juxtaposing three groups: Parisians, American expatriates living in Paris, and the American tourist. It analyzes our stereotypes of the French and their stereotypes of us. If you can get past the immorality, it is fascinating to ponder this clash of cultures and ideologies.

Light and fun with random, surprisingly dark parts.
I read this before a trip to Paris (brag brag) and could not imagine an affair between a gal in her early 20's and a guy in his 70's. Then I went to Paris, where everyone is flirting with everyone, and somehow those old guys still have some juju and you'll see a dude squarely in his 60's and think "oooh, what's his deal." I mean the people on the news were flirting with each other, and this was a reporter and a woman who ran an art museum. So like in the US this would be a brain-based totally practical exchange not like..."do these people make out?"
In the book, they mentioned that for the French it is rude not to flirt. This was totally my experience and it is shocking to see a city full of adults in 2016 NOT ON THEIR PHONES. And I think this is because of the thrill of thinking "will we do it?" exists at all times. This bleeds into their clothing for adults, their tasteful underwear that is not purely functional, prolonged, half-lidded eye contact, and the rampant, rampant smoking.
Other thing gleaned from the book which sneaks in some of the secrets of French women: mint tea.
Beach readable.

A fun book, with a dark side, though. Johnson takes Paris and has some fun with the town's romantic side, but also its gritty side as well. A sister (Isabel) heads to Paris to rescue her stepsister who's husband has left her. Isabel becomes entranced with Paris (she's from California) and even becomes a "kept" woman by an older, semi-seedy Parisian man. The early stages of Chick Lit...but with more meat on the characters and the story as well. And having it set in Paris doesn't hurt none!