This is another of E. Rutherfurd's epic novels of historical fiction. I enjoyed it thoroughly, except that I was a bit puzzled (and slightly annoyed), though, to see that the author decided to forgo his usual format (like in "Russka" and "London", for instance) of chronological order of events, and so the chapters in "Paris" were jumping from 1800s to 1200s, then back and forth again. I couldn't see the value of that. ( )

Engrossing! This book is unputdownable. I picked it up intending to read only a couple of pages while the Kindle recharged. The next thing I knew I was 200 pages into the book and knew that I would not read anything else until I finished it.

Paris is a historical fiction novel by Edward Rutherford. It covers 1,000 years of history by telling the sagas of six families. The families interact with famous people from their eras in order to bring the reader some familiarity with Parisian history. I have read 2 other historical novels by Rutherford and both told their stories chronologically. Paris skips back and forth in time but I found it is easy to follow.

There are many, many historical details that are clearly explained. If you want to know why plaster of paris is named such, read this book. What about the building of the Eiffel Tower? Here, you will discover everything that went into its construction by following characters who were hired to work on it. While the book covers two wars, I was glad that the fighting scenes were short. I don't like war stories much. The plague and the Spanish Flu also appear as well as the world exhibitions that were held in Paris and the rise of feminism.

I LOVED this book and cannot recommend it more highly to historical fiction fans. Do not be put off by its 800 pages. Most of Rutherford's books are over 1,000 pages so Paris is a short story. ( )

5 families followed through 1200's to 1900's. ( )

PARIS delivers finely tuned tales of greatly evolving characters.

Thomas Garcon, Victor Hugo, Emile Zola, Dreyfus, and Eiffel are among my favorites.

While enjoying many of the often too lengthy stories,
the back and forth time changes gave more confusion than enlightenment -
So many Rolands! ( )

I remember picking up the hardcover edition of Edward Rutherfurd's Sarum when I worked in the bookstore. The heft of the book and the fact that is was a historical family saga told over many generations--"Oh yeah," I thought. "I'm in." Sarum remains one of my favorite in this genre.

Since then, I've read a number of Rutherfurd's novels--the Forest, London, New York...If you like your books big, your sagas multi-generational, and you like reading about history and about places you'll enjoy this book.

I was put off at first by the editorial choice to go back-and-forth in time instead of chronological in the story. But then I listened to an interview with Rutherfurd posted on YouTube and hearing his reasons for the choice--I came to peace with it. The key phrase here is "family secrets."

I felt he captured the spirit and attitudes of Parisians quite well. The novel culminates in WWII where all our families come together--and to me that wrapped it all up nicely--the secrets, the changing values and cultural shifts and of course many of the families we come to know have their own opportunity to be a hero in the Resistance. I found myself a little sad at the end as I'd felt I'd gotten to know these families very well.

Speaking of the interview here is a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nISIekT52p0. Rutherfurd also spent many years in the publishing trade and has some interesting insights here. I also like what he states about Wodehouse--and the novel he wish he'd never read. ( )