In the sixth arrondissement everything is perfect except for the loneliness. This is the Paris of thirteen-year-old Paul. Shy and unloved, he quietly observes the lives of the self-involved grown-ups around him: his glamorous Maman, Séverine, her younger musician lover, Gabriel, and his fitness-obsessed Papa, Philippe. Always overlooked, it's only a matter of time before Paul witnesses something that he's not supposed to see...
Seeking solace in an unlikely friendship with tear-away classmate Scarlett and the temptation of the numerous patisseries in his elegant neighbourhood, Paul searches for unconditional love. But what will he do if he can't find it?
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[Everyone thinks they know Paris: the Eiffel Tower and the old man playing an accordion in the street, couples kissing in cafes and horse-chestnut blossom on fire in the green trees]***
(@picadorbooks, 6 September 2018, first published 23 January 2018, 240 pages, paperback, borrowed from @GlasgowLib)
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I'd never heard of the author before and decided to read this because I like the cover and title and the novella is set in Paris, my favourite city in the world. I really enjoyed this book so it was a good call. The Paris depicted here is much darker than the Paris I knew. I see the city with rose-tined tourist eyes. This book humanised the city of lights. Paul is a great character. My heart really went out to him. His parents are awful; neglectful and selfish. The only solace in his life is his friend Scarlett. Until things take a shocking and dark turn and Paul brought tears to my eyes.
