Jeannine Alter

A collection of fifteen engaging stories revolving around Paris. Most take place in the city, and for the casual visitor offer a view of lives not often seen.

Marie Houzelle contributes a pair (“Hortense on Tuesday Nights,” and “May”) featuring women that don’t quite know what to do with their professional lives, their married lives, or their sex lives. There’s nothing sad or tragic about them, you get the impression it will all work out for everyone involved.

In “Frank Stands His Ground, In Belleville” a couple living in a shady building in a rough but gentrifying part of town face crime and race issues. Two Ethiopian women distribute medicine to those in need in “Our Pharmacy,” including to an immigrant who hasn’t been home in so long she’s lost track and is tired of living.

These stories present varied views of Paris and the people from all over the world that live there, or want to.… (mehr)