Total Fail

Wow – I did NOT enjoy this book!

I was in a Paris mood, looking for something “scenic” that would recall memories of past visits to Paris - instead I got drippy, insipid, BORING drivel.

The characters were flat and unbelievable, the plot was uninteresting, the flashbacks were unexciting, the story uninspired… so why did I read on? Because I kept hoping things would improve; how much worse could they get since the book started off on such a low?

The narration was a farce. The French accents were so extremely comically bad, to me it felt like what Americans think French people should sound like (when they are making fun of them!) It was over the top absurdly bad – everyone was a cliché of Clouseau. “Ziss iz zee best place to ave crrrrrroisant! Come ma belle, let us enjoy zee sun. It tiz a bootifool afternoon,non”

ugh, I can’t even fake it.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

19 people found this helpful

Couldn't finish it.

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Perhaps a different narrator. I found this one grated on my nerves.

What did you like best about this story?

The "story" was intriquing. The writing and characters and narration were not.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

She tried too hard to be cute.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Like I said, the story was intriguing. Unfortunately, that couldn't carry me through to the end. :)

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

14 people found this helpful

Disappointing

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

This book could possibly be enjoyed by an avid reader of the romance genre, as long as the reader was not looking for anything deep or historically relevant.

What could Michelle Gable have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Had the historical significance and facts of the actual find been explored in depth I would have found this a much more interesting story

What didn’t you like about Erin Moon and Saskia Maarleveld ’s performance?

I did not like the voice used to animate the main female character. The voice was too immature given the character's level of seniority within her profession. Using a female voice for the french male character was ridiculous and made him seem like a french caricature.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The premise was fascinating and is what interested me in the first place, however, how the premise was explored was extremely superficial and unsatisfying.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

Engrossing dramatization of an actual event

Although a Francophile, I don't remember hearing about the Paris apartment that had been closed up for 70 years. When I now research that finding, I see that many stories got it wrong. It was not the original owner, Marthe de Florian, who fled the Nazis for southern France around the time of the 2nd World War, but her granddaughter, which is a mystery in itself. This appears to be the best and tidiest accounting of the apartment and the lineage of owners. It also probably speculates as to why the final owner never returned for 70 years prior to her death, but kept paying the rent for all that time. The speculations are quite interesting, and it makes for an engrossing story--especially as it is heavily based on actual events. It seems to have been painstakingly researched to be able to have woven the intricate series of events that lead up to this fabulous find. Almost my only negative comment would be of the very excellent narrator. Especially when narrating the voice of a multi-degreed antiques expert, PLEASE pronounce "jewElry" correctly! (not jew-le-ry).

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

Deeply disappointing

Any additional comments?

The description sounded so promising! But the story was a great letdown; even the history failed to interest. The characters were unlikeable and boring. And worst of all, the narration was unbearable. It robbed the main character of any chance to be taken seriously and the French accents were probably the worst I've ever heard. I managed to hang on for twenty chapters and then realized I was gritting my teeth the whole time and gave up.

I cannot recommend this book for either the story or the narration.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

Disappointing, sloppy

What would have made A Paris Apartment better?

Less of a "chick-lit" predictable read. The narrator was awful...pronunciation of French words appalling....

Would you ever listen to anything by Michelle Gable again?

Yes

How could the performance have been better?

Some basic research...pronunciation appalling....pronounces "Provenance" like Providence, RI......just terrible....annoying flat mid-western accent.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

NO!

Any additional comments?

NO

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

Loving Paris

Though long it is well worth the journey, because you get to be surrounded by Paris.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Great Story with Unlikeable Protagonist

I really enjoyed the story and way it unfolded, alternating between past and present. However, I found April unlikable , & the reader' snotty, clipped intonation exacerbated that. Te inconsistent French pronunciation (eg "Part Doo, Chapitre Eighteen") and stereotypical supporting characters (overpronouncing Frenchman, teen girls, and surfer brother) had me looking forward to the diary segments.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Loved it!

Where does A Paris Apartment rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I haven't listened to that many audible books yet, but this was certainly enjoyable.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed learning the history of those times and that this was based on a real discovery.

Have you listened to any of Erin Moon and Saskia Maarleveld ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Who was the most memorable character of A Paris Apartment and why?

April

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Worst Narration EVER!

It’s difficult to know if the story is any good as it’s impossible to follow the narration. The narrator is completely disconnected to the words; randomly emphasizing and elongating their enunciation. I found it so distracting that I had to give up listening. I’m disappointed as I was looking forward to the book. I am, however excited to embark on a new career as a voiceover artist, now knowing anyone can do it.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful