Introduction

Bienvenue à Paris!
When April Vogt's boss tells her about an apartment in the ninth arrondissement that has been discovered after being shuttered for the past seventy years, the Sotheby's continental furniture specialist does not hear the words "dust" or "rats" or "decrepit." She hears Paris. She hears escape.

Once in France, April quickly learns the apartment is not merely some rich hoarder's repository. Beneath the cobwebs and stale perfumed air is a goldmine, and not because of the actual gold (or painted ostrich eggs or mounted rhinoceros horns or bronze bathtub). First, there's a portrait by one of the masters of the Belle Epoque, Giovanni Boldini. And then there are letters and journals written by the very woman in the painting, Marthe de Florian. These documents reveal that she was more than a renowned courtesan with enviable decolletage. Suddenly April's quest is no longer about the bureaux plats and Louis-style armchairs that will fetch millions at auction. It's about discovering the story behind this charismatic woman.

It's about discovering two women, actually.

With the help of a salty (and annoyingly sexy) Parisian solicitor and the courtesan's private diaries, April tries to uncover the many secrets buried in the apartment. As she digs into Marthe's life, April can't help but take a deeper look into her own. Having left behind in the States a cheating husband, a family crisis about to erupt, and a career she's been using as the crutch to simply get by, she feels compelled to sort out her own life too. When the things she left bubbling back home begin to boil over, and Parisian delicacies beyond flaky pâtisseries tempt her better judgment, April knows that both she and Marthe deserve happy finales.

Whether accompanied by croissants or champagne, this delectable debut novel depicts the Paris of the Belle Epoque and the present day with vibrant and stunning allure. Based on historical events, Michelle Gable's A Paris Apartment will entertain and inspire, as readers embrace the struggles and successes of two very unforgettable women.

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Excerpt

She only wanted to get out of town.

When her boss sidled up and said the words "apartment," "ninth arrondissement," and "a ton of nineteenth century crap," April instantly thought: vacation. There would be work involved, but no matter, she was going to Paris. As every writer, poet, painter, and, yes, furniture assessor knew, it was the perfect place for escape. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

How does the theme of women who they are versus who they want to be play into the novel?

Marthe and April are the book’s main characters but does it sometimes feel as though there are four characters between these two women?

April sees herself as rather plain: “Straight, dark, and tailored, made entirely of clean lines. The hair, the eyes, the nose: all casually assembled; unobjectionable basic pieces.” Later, April’s stepdaughter calls her tastes “a bit utilitarian.” Why, then, do you think she’s so attracted to the gilt and glamour of the apartment as well as Marthe’s life?

How do you think Marthe would describe herself in modern terms?

What role does the city of Paris play in the novel?

At one point, April mentions a large project she had in Texas. How would this story have been different if it had happened in the United States? Or even another part of Europe?

What does April find appealing about Luc? Do you feel she’s attracted to him much earlier than she lets on? What do you like about their friendship? What don’t you like?

How did you feel about the last scene of the book?

April admits early in the novel she doesn’t want children. Later her reasons come to surface. Do you understand her point of view? Do you think there are other reasons she’s unable to admit to herself, or to others?

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»	Author Michelle Gable's web site
»	Publisher's Book Info

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