G1087 Book Review of Vintage 1954 by Antoine Laurain
Author: Antoine Laurain
ISBN: 9781910477670
Publisher: Gallic
Type of book: 2017, 1954, relatives, France, 1954 France versus 2017 France, nostalgia, finances, humor, time travel, aliens, wines, mixology, romance
Year it was published: 2019
Summary:
'The very quintessence of French romance...' The Times
When Hubert Larnaudie invites some fellow residents of his Parisian apartment building to drink an exceptional bottle of 1954 Beaujolais, he has no idea of its special properties.
The following morning, Hubert finds himself waking up in 1950s Paris, as do antique restorer Magalie, mixologist Julien, and Airbnb tenant Bob from Milwaukee, who's on his first trip to Europe. After their initial shock, the city of Edith Piaf and An American in Paris begins to work its charm on them. The four delight in getting to know the French capital during this iconic period, whilst also playing with the possibilities that time travel allows.
But, ultimately, they need to work out how to get back to 2017, and time is of the essence...
Characters:
Primary characters would Hubert, an owner of an apartment building where he meets Bob, Magalie and Julien. Hubert has a colorful history when it comes to the apartment building and it often seemed as if he was weary of life or else had no idea what to do about the financial money. There is also Bob, who had a lifelong dream of traveling to Paris and to fulfill that dream for himself and for his wife who is in a coma. Julien is a talented mixologist who has a secret crush on Magalie, who restores broken things. There are other characters, but they only get a glance, such as Hubert's mysterious great uncle who traveled to South America and disappeared as well as famous French celebrities.
Theme:
Past has things to teach
Plot:
The story is in third person narrative from what seems to be everyone's point of view, although I think the primary characters would have been Hubert and Julien. But other characters such as Magalie and Bob also make their points of view known. The science fiction in the tale is brief, and most of the focus is on Paris of 1954 and what the characters saw and experienced, especially when compared to modern day. I think the story is more plot driven than anything else, and most of the focus was on Paris rather than the character growth.
Author Information:
(From the book)
Antoine Laurain lives in Paris. His award-winning novels have been translated into 14 languages and have sold more than 150,000 copies in English. THE PRESIDENT'S HAT was a Waterstones Book Club and Indies Introduce selection, and THE RED NOTEBOOK was on the Indie Next List.
Jane Aitken is a publisher and translator from the French.
Emily Boyce is an editor and in-house translator at Gallic Books
Opinion:
What I liked about VINTAGE 1954 is the slight humor that laces the pages, my favorite scenes being that of Bob the American meeting his wife, or else when the point of view shifts from Hubert upon the discovery of an old bus to the passengers having their own thoughts about him, which I found funny. I haven't seen the movie An American in Paris, but have heard of Edith Piaf. I also should mention that the tale is replete with famous people of 1950s, and aside from Edith Piaf, I am not familiar with any of them, and often wished that I had an glossary to look up who's who. I also think that VINTAGE 1954 is more of a call for people not to forget their roots or their history, to look beyond the modern days and see what past can teach us.
This was given to me for a review
4 out of 5
(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)
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