Book description
An entertaining and openhearted tale of a naïf eventually getting to understand a complex, glittering, beautiful and often cruel society - at least a little. When Simon Kuper left London for Paris in his early thirties, he wasn't planning to make a permanent move. Paris, however, had other plans. Kuper has grown middle-aged there, eaten the croissants, seen his American wife through life-threatening cancer, taken his children to countless football matches on freezing Saturday mornings in the city's notorious banlieues, and in 2015 lived through two terrorist attacks on their neighborhood. Over two decades of becoming something of a cantankerous Parisian himself, Kuper has watched the city change. This century, it has globalized, gentrified, and been shocked into realizing its role as the crucible of civilizational conflict. Sometimes it's a multicultural paradise, and sometimes it isn't. This decade, Parisians have lived through a sequence of shocks: terrorist attacks, record floods and heatwaves, the burning of Notre Dame, the storming of the city by gilets jaunes, and then the pandemic. Now, as the Olympics come to town, France is busy executing the "Grand Paris" project: the most serious attempt yet to knit together the bejewelled city with its neglected suburbs. This is a captivating memoir of the Paris of today, without the Parisian clichés.
About the Author
Simon Kuper is a British-French author and journalist for the Financial Times. He studied History and German at Oxford University, and attended Harvard University as a Kennedy Scholar, and he has written for the Observer, The Times and the Guardian, and also writes regularly for Dutch newspapers. He moved to Paris in 2001 and lives there with his French-American wife Pamela Druckerman and their daughters.
Copilot
Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! I’ve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best. The app is perfect for long walks. It keeps me company the whole time. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Mother Night
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NightDream
Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's design is a reader's dream. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
ThoughtTracer
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Demo
Effortlessly exploring new worlds – this app's design is user-centric and efficient. Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's functionality is a triumph. Automated extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library.
BloodEater
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Trouble Mittens
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Babe
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Scuffs
Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. My recordings sound crystal clear. The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Austin Shamrock
I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser – a time-saver! I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience exceptional. Its intuitive interface and diverse compatibility are a true game-changer. 📱🎧 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magical spell that transports me into the heart of the story. Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have! I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Carrot Joker
This app has rekindled my love for literature, and I'm spreading the word to everyone I know. I appreciate the minimal ads – it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! I used to struggle to find time for books – now, I listen while doing chores! I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing.
BlackExcalibur
The sleep timer is a brilliant addition – I drift off to sleep with amazing stories. ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats means I can listen to all my favorite content without worries. I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Spit Turanga
This app is not just about convenience – it's a gateway to new horizons of knowledge. 🛌 Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. 🌙📚 Audiobooks have become a staple in my routine, all thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. It's a must-have for any book lover. 📖📱 The interface is so clean and clutter-free. It’s a pleasure to use.
Flash
The app's recommendations are surprisingly accurate – it's like they know my taste perfectly! I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make navigation effortless. 🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. 🏃♂️📖 Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information.
Miss Nova
With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Accidental Genius
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Foot-long Fry
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Chasm Face
I've been able to explore different cultures and perspectives through a diverse range of books. 🎧 Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly – this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. 📚🌟 Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a true winner. The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me.
Energy
It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. 🎉 This app has turned my errands into exciting quests – I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! 🛒📖 I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings. Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
Manimal
Audiobooks have never been this engaging – this app takes them to the next level. I love the variety of themes available. It makes the app feel personalized.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience