Destination thriller set in THAILAND (and London)
Novel set in 1920’s PARIS
3rd November 2020
The Paris Girl by Natalie Meg Evans, novel set in 1920’s Paris.
Life has not been easy for Tatiana Vyentis, a Russian princess who has had to flee her native land, following the murder of her father. But 1920’s Paris offers Tatiana and her family the opportunity to start again. Her sister, Katya, makes a successful marriage and has worked ceaselessly to develop an even more successful fashion house and Tatiana herself has become one of the most sought-after models of the day. She has also got herself engaged to Gerard de Sainte-Vierge, a handsome, if somewhat arrogant, aristocrat. Everything in Tatiana’s future looks rosy – she’s about to become a marquise and need never worry about poverty again.
But one fateful night in Montmartre, Gerard’s brother, Armand, damaged as a result of his wartime experience, assaults Tatiana and her life begins a downward spiral. Soon it becomes apparent that she has been used by the Sainte-Vierge family and that Gerard is prepared to sacrifice her to save his own reputation.
Then on to centre stage steps serious, down-at-heel American photographer, Regan Dortmeyer who has, to date, formed no good opinion of the spoiled Tatiana, but fate seems to ensure that he’s always around when she’s at her most vulnerable and further that he’s destined to be her saviour.
Set in 1920’s Paris, this latest offering from Natalie Meg Evans recreates 1920’s Paris with astonishing precision. Reading the novel is almost like taking a long walk through Parisian streets, spotting famous landmarks as you go. The period is immaculately researched and we are given an intriguing glimpse into the 1920’s Paris world of fashion and glamour, correct in every detail from fabric and design down to accessories and even cigarette holders.
It would be worth reading this novel for setting alone, but the characters are also wonderfully crafted. These are fully rounded characters for the most part, who have likeable qualities as well as failings and who develop as the novel progresses; Tatiana, faced with the worst of fates, gradually grows from a spoiled princess into a more thoughtful and considerate woman. Secretly, however, I took the greatest pleasure from the worst characters here – Natalie Meg Evans does them so well. Is there anything more delicious than a despicable cad?
Despite all this, it wouldn’t be a good book without a good story and this is nothing short of a rattling good tale, with plenty of surprises on the way. It’s well paced too, with sections that have the reader almost holding their breath as they turn the pages, desperate to discover the outcome, interspersed with quieter more reflective sections, including atmospheric descriptions of Paris, often seen through Dortmeyer’s camera lens.
All the ingredients for a perfect novel are here. I hadn’t read anything by Natalie Meg Evans before but I’m off to do so now.
Ellen for the TripFiction Team
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