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The House on First Street: My New Orleans Story

by Julia Reed

The House on First Street: My New Orleans Story Cover

ISBN13: 9780061136641
ISBN10: 0061136646
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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Julia Reed went to New Orleans in 1991 to cover the reelection of former (and currently incarcerated) governor Edwin Edwards. Seduced by the city's sauntering pace, its rich flavors and exotic atmosphere, she was never entirely able to leave again. After almost fifteen years of living like a vagabond on her reporter's schedule, she got married and bought a house in the historic Garden District. Four weeks after she moved in, Hurricane Katrina struck.

With her house as the center of her own personal storm as well as the ever-evolving stage set for her new life as an upstanding citizen, Reed traces the fates of all who enter to wine, dine (at her table for twenty-four), tear down walls, install fixtures, throw fits and generally leave their mark on the house on First Street. There's Antoine, Reed's beloved homeless handyman with an unfortunate habit of landing in jail; JoAnn Clevenger, the Auntie Mame—like restaurateur who got her start mixing drinks for Dizzy Gillespie and selling flowers from a cart; Eddie, the supremely laid-back contractor with Hollywood ambitions; and, with the arrival of Katrina, the boys from the Oklahoma National Guard, fleets of door-kicking animal rescuers and the self-appointed (and occasionally naked) neighborhood watchman. Finally, there's the literally clueless detective who investigates the robbery in which the first draft of this book was stolen. Through it all, Reed discovers there really is no place like home.

Rich with sumptuous details and with the author's trademark humor well in the fore, The House on First Street is the chronicle of a remarkable and often hilarious homecoming, as well as a thoroughly original tribute to our country's most original city.

Synopsis:

In the tradition of "A Year in Provence" this book offers a brilliantly funny, original portrait of New Orleans and its eccentric denizens, as seen through the eyes of "Vogue" and "Newsweek" contributor Reed.

About the Author

Julia Reed grew up in Greenville, Mississippi. She is a contributing editor at Vogue and Newsweek, and the author of the essay collection Queen of the Turtle Derby. She lives in New Orleans.

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
Madam Pince, October 11, 2008 (view all comments by Madam Pince)
I love books about home renovation, New Orleans is one of my favorite settings for a story, and I'm a fan of Julia Reed's writing -- I adored Queen of the Turtle Derby -- so this book arrived on my reading list with a pre-approved stamp. Thankfully, it lived up to the label. Not only did I enjoy the warts-and-all renovation tale, but completely related to Julia's long journey to trade uncommitted single life for married domesticity. Add in the intrigue of Hurricane Katrina, along with Julia's irrepressible urge to entertain -- as a friend says, "A fool and her money throw great parties" -- and you've got one hell of a good read. Hilarious appearances by Vogue's Andre Leon Talley are icing on the cake.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780061136641
Subtitle:
My New Orleans Story
Author:
Reed, Julia
Author:
Reed, Julia
Author:
by Julia Reed
Publisher:
Ecco
Subject:
Regional Subjects - South
Subject:
United States - South - Louisiana
Subject:
Personal Memoirs
Subject:
Social life and customs
Subject:
Description and travel
Publication Date:
July 2008
Binding:
Hardcover
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Pages:
208
Dimensions:
8.38x5.86x.85 in. .76 lbs.
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