Staff Pick
Laurain cleverly addresses several topical subjects in his latest novel. Politics, aging, art, music, and lifelong dreams dovetail nicely in this story about a missing letter, a missed opportunity, a missing tape, and a missing father. Mining the '80s for material, Laurain creates characters who will keep you interested to the final pages, when you'll be rewarded with a surprise ending. Lovely. Recommended By Dianah H., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Praise for The Red Notebook
-An endearing love story written in beautifully poetic prose. It is an enthralling mystery about chasing the unknown, the nostalgia for what could have been, and most importantly, the persistence of curiosity.---San Francisco Book Review
Praise for The President's Hat
-Its gentle satirical humor reminded me of Jacques Tati's classic films.---Library Journal
-Irresistibly whimsical, possessed of wit somewhere between that of Alan Bennett's in The Uncommon Reader and Muriel Barbery's in The Elegance of the Hedgehog, and thoroughly entertaining---The King's English Bookshop, Salt Lake City
Antoine Laurain's new novel combines his trademark charm with a satirical take on modern France.
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.
Back then The Holograms had believed in their cutting-edge sound. However, the music industry remained indifferent, and eventually the band split up, each going their own way.
Alain is overcome by nostalgia, and is tempted to track down the members of the group. But in a world where everything and everyone has changed . . . where will his quest take him?
Antoine Laurain is a Parisian screenwriter, antiques collector and the author of six novels, three of which are available in English. The President's Hat was a 2013 ABA Indies Introduce choice.
Synopsis
From the author of The Red Notebook, described as 'Parisian perfection' by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, French Rhapsody is a funny, charming tale of music and the paths not taken.
'Beautifully written, superbly plotted and with a brilliant twist at the end' Daily Mail
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.
Back then The Holograms had believed in their cutting-edge sound. However, the music industry remained indifferent, and eventually the band split up, each going their own way.
Alain is overcome by nostalgia, and is tempted to track down the members of the group. But in a world where everything and everyone has changed . . . where will his quest take him?