Book: A Town Like Paris

Magic Belly Button - May 3, 2008 - 10:26pm

I loved this book. It made me want to get on the next plane to Paris.It's a memoir of how Bryce Corbett, a 28 year old Australian living in London, wanted a change of scenery. So he took a job in Paris.All-in-all it is a highly amusing read. He tells of finding a place to live; the battles with Parisian plumbers; the perplexing courting rituals of the French woman; the drunken revelry; the trips to The Continent; the Sticker Bitch; buying a vespa; appearing on French game shows; starting a band; falling in love.As it would happen, he fell in love with a dancer at the Lido. She also happened to be Australian (a Brisbane girl, no less!)By the end of the book I was thoroughly in love with Paris. I've always wanted to go there but now I think the trip overseas next year may be amended slighty. As soon as I finished the book I went and raided G's collection of programmes and pulled out the one from the Lido (he and B and B's girls went there last year), searching for her picture and/or name.Couldn't find her picture - Corbett was right when he described all the women as being look-alike Amazons. At least while in costume. Did find her name though!Perusing the names, particularly those of the guys, I did begin to wonder which one was the one with the pec impants - if indeed he was still there.Anyway, the book was thoroughly enjoyable and one you could repeatedly read. Sadly, I have to take it back to the library but will keep an eye out for it to see if I can pick it up cheap one of these days.Finally, I found this YouTube video of Corbett wandering around Paris, talking about the book. Enjoy!
Shay Stafford

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