French Rhapsody Synopsis
The arrival of a letter delayed by 33 years sparks off a quest that leads both on a nostalgic journey back to the 1980s and right to the heart of France today.
Middle-aged doctor Alain Massoulier has received a life-changing letter thirty-three years too late. Lost in the Paris postal system for decades, the letter from Polydor, dated 1983, offers a recording contract to The Holograms, in which Alain played lead guitar.
Overcome by nostalgia, Alain is tempted to track down the members of the group. But in a world where everything and everyone has changed...where could his quest possibly take him?
Both a modern fairytale and a skilfully woven state-of-the-nation novel, French Rhapsody combines Antoine Laurain's signature charm and whimsy with a searing critique of the state of contemporary France.
About This Edition
Antoine Laurain Press Reviews
Beautifully written, superbly plotted and with a brilliant twist at the end.
-Daily Mail
The novel has Laurain's signature charm, but with the added edge of greater engagement with contemporary France.
-The Sunday Times
What makes French Rhapsody one of the must-reads of the moment is not just its off-the-wall humour, but its deep sense of melancholy. If it wasn't so funny, you'd weep for the roads not taken.
-Le Figaro
Anyone who enjoyed Laurain's previous novels The President's Hat and The Red Notebook will doubtlessly enjoy this new romp.
-Portland Book Review
Once again I have been swamped by Laurain's individual take on the Gallic charm.
-The Bookbag
A tale of dashed dreams, lost love and rediscovered hope that is also an incisive state-of-the-nation snapshot.
-The Lady
Full of charming one-liners . . . I loved it.
-Shiny New Books
Quirky and nostalgic, hilarious and satirical. A portrait of France as you may not know it!
-Words and Peace
It has been a long while since I laughed out loud so many times while reading a book. French Rhapsody is the title that had my endorphins dancing a jig.
-Coastal Breeze News
This well-structured dramedy weaves together the destinies of a group of colorful characters and paints a surprising picture of the eighties generation, too cocky to realize that they were being outrun by modernity.
-The French Embassy in Canada
Witty, nostalgic-I was completely charmed.
-Woman and Home
This gem blends soft humour and sadness with the extraordinary.
-Sainsbury's Magazine
The best way to describe Antoine Laurain's latest novel French Rhapsody-is that it is a brilliant 'pay off' story. It is clever and quirky and was a delight to read.
-Lisa Talks About
This is the perfect little novel with two of the best ingredients: Paris and a bookstore.
-San Francisco Chronicle
Flawlessly written, it does everything just right and, at the end, leaves a smile of satisfaction.
-Foreword Reviews
This book is pure pleasure. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.
-Sheryl Cotleur, Copperfield's Books
I loved it! As soon as I finished I wanted to discuss it with someone.
-Barb Schmidt, Books & Co
Don't miss this charming French confection of a novel . . . with a wit somewhere between Bennett's in The Uncommon Reader and Barbery's in Elegance of the Hedgehog . . .
thoroughly entertaining.
I loved it.
-Betsy Burton, The King's English Bookshop
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