Upcoming Events:
Monday, 9 June, 10:30 am
Book Talk, An Apartment in Paris, Fitchburg Community Center, 5510 Lacy Road, Fitchburg, Wis.
Saturday, 14 June, 1-3 pm
Meet & Greet, Barnes & Noble, West Towne, Madison
Thursday, 19 June, 10 am
Book Talk, An Apartment in Paris, Middleton Community Center, 7448 Hubbard Ave. Middleton Wis.
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An Apartment In Paris
By David Benjamin
In your wildest dreams …
… have you imagined owning a loft, a garret, a cozy little pied a terre in the world’s most romantic city?
David Benjamin has, too! …
… and he’s done it.
In his forthcoming memoir, scheduled for release in early April 2025, the award-winning Madison writer chronicles a harrowing, often hilarious journey through the French real estate labyrinth that ends, almost miraculously, with
An Apartment in Paris
David Benjamin’s reportorial style and distinctive brand of humor, Benjamin open the “great doors” of Paris and explore
- the city’s nooks, crannies, courtyards and alleyways
- its breathtaking vistas and its “jewel box” of surprises
- its sometimes grubby and moldy underbelly
- the weird legal intricacies of property transfer in La Belle France
- the agony and ecstasy of a French mortgage
Plus
- snippets of Parisian history drawn from the author’s exhaustive research
- a tour of the bistros and cafés of the world’s best city for eating out
- a rich lode of asides, observations and digressions on natives and tourists, the Louvre and lovers, kings, queens and criminals, waiters, bakers and greengrocers, painters and poets
- the most elegant strippers in the world
- and the “guardian angel” who made it possible—
Benjamin says, “Paris has always been a place where impulse triumphs over reason, where a silly romantic notion can cloud your mind and change you forever. This is why, when you see a window in Paris full of real estate ads, you should run for your life.”
An Apartment In Paris
By David Benjamin
Price: $20
What they're saying
“An Apartment in Paris presents a vivid exploration of Parisian life, highlighting the challenges and victories of securing an apartment in a city famously regarded as the heart of romance and culture. Benjamin’s story functions as both a personal memoir and a vibrant portrayal of Paris, animated by his experiences and discoveries. The book is structured around Benjamin’s real estate adventures in Paris. Each chapter peels back layers of the city's history, people, and enigmatic charm. His writing is filled with wit and nostalgia as he recounts the bureaucratic and cultural hurdles he faces while attempting to plant roots in a city that is both welcoming and aloof to foreigners.
“David Benjamin’s storytelling is deeply enriched by his extensive use of literary references and personal anecdotes, making the narrative engaging and informative. He examines the idiosyncrasies of Parisian life, from the quirks of dining and fashion to the frustrating yet endearing bureaucratic maze encountered by those attempting to buy property. A central theme in An Apartment in Paris is the paradox of Paris, a relentlessly romanticized city that remains ruthlessly pragmatic at its core. Benjamin’s experiences illustrate this duality, from his initial enchantment with the city’s historical grandeur to his eventual confrontation with its modern-day complexities. This book will appeal to anyone who has ever dreamed of living in Paris or has experienced the realities of adjusting to life in a different culture. Benjamin’s reflections on Parisian life, woven through his personal journey, provide a rich perspective on what it means to make a home in a perpetually foreign yet irresistibly familiar place. He even includes a glossary of French to English translations.”
Carol Thompson, Readers’ Favorite (5 stars)