Scott Dominic Carpenter

I have been waiting to read this book since I first heard of it, and now I can agree with the enthusiastic, positive comments. Whether or not you've visited Paris, you'll enjoy this memoir written in an entertaining, self-deprecating style by a middle-aged author and professor of French literature and creative writing.

Instead of writing for the visitor, Carpenter humorously documents his experiences as a Mid-Westerner who moves to Paris with his wife and daughter. He writes of his everyday life as he wrestles with Parisian apartments (the plumbing, the size, the neighbors, the politics), health care, preparing a gourmet meal for friends, riding the metro, and even grocery shopping - all are entertaining stories as he describes his misadventures.

I recommend this lighthearted memoir of an American in Paris. It's a perfect read for this time period when we're doing very little traveling, yet need an entertaining escape from our stay-at-home world.… (mehr)

I made a resolution to read more books this year - and what a way to kick things off with This Jealous Earth. Normally, short story collections aren't my preference, but Carpenter structures this book into three sections with alternating long and short pieces. It kept my read crisp and fresh - and it certainly helps that each story packs an emotional punch.

Every story spoke to me on some level. Carpenter does an incredible job with the voice of each character, capturing an authentic, unique language for children, women and men of all ages. For me, this came to life particularly well in Sincerely Yours, a humorous recounting of a frustrating correspondence between a man and a faceless customer service representative. Without the benefit of a physical character thrust in the same proximity of a character, Carpenter builds a presence and imagery out of nothing more than concise letters back and forth.

Fast forward to the end of 2013 - if I reach my goal of fifty books, I know I'll look back on This Jealous Earth as one of my favorite reads of the year. Who knows, maybe I'll find myself dipping back into it for a story or two.… (mehr)