Book Review of French Windows by Antoine Laurain ( trans Louise Rogers Lalaurie)

Name of Book: French windows 

Author: Antoine Laurain  

ISBN: 9781913547752

Publisher: Gallic press 

Type of book: France, modern times, artist block, storytelling, secrets, quirkiness, counseling, mysteries 

Year it was published: 2024 (2023) 

Summary:

Bringing his trademark style and charming whimsy, Antoine Laurain’s new novel of intrigue, murder and neighbourly curiosity is sure to delight fans old and new.  Nathalia, a young photographer, has been seeing a therapist. Having accidentally photographed a murder, she finds that she can no longer do her job.  Instead, Doctor Faber suggests that she write about the neighbours she idly observes in the building across the street. But as these written snapshots become increasingly detailed, he starts to wonder how she can possibly know so much about them. With each session, Doctor Faber and his mysterious patient will get closer and closer to the truth. But are the stories Nathalia submits each week as she claims... Bestselling author Antoine Laurain serves up a dose of suspense and intrigue in Rear Window with a Parisian heart.

Characters:

Main characters include Doctor Faber, a psychologist/psychiatrist who seems arrogant and believes he knows everything there is to know about people, in particular his clients. Nathalia is a new patient who DESIRES to start wanting to take pictures again but can't because of a traumatic event that has happened in her past; thus she begins to pen down fascinating stories for the doctor to read. The secondary characters are people in the building about whom Nathalia writes about, each section devoted to the particular floor. 

Theme:

Nothing hides forever 

Plot:

This is told in first person from Doctor Fabers point of view as well as the mysterious patient, a former photographer who is experiencing a possible block to taking pictures. As a way of trying to help her through her block, Doctor Faber asks her to write stories about inhabitants in another building. As their sessions continue, and the young lady presents stories laden with fiction and truth, it is becoming more and more difficult for the doctor to separate reality from fantasy, especially when the young lady presents her last story. 

 
Author Information:
(From goodreads) 

Antoine Laurain (born 1972) is a French author. He previously worked as a screenwriter and antiques dealer.

His first novel "The Portrait" was published in 2007 and he achieved wide international acclaim with "The Red Notebook". Since then his works have been translated into 14 languages and partly made into films.

Opinion:

It's definitely an Antoine Laurain novel: quirky, pleasant, thought provoking with a touch of mystery and characters that are not likely to be forgotten. All in all, very similar to THE READERS ROOM. I definitely think it's a good read for those who have a lot of familiarity with French culture or for those who have visited and loved France ( neither of which I have done, sad to say. Just like someone who came from Russia I am far more familiar with old French classics, say up to 1950s?) But it's good to get a sense of modern day France. 

This was given for 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.)