Haunting Paris by Mamta Chaudhry

Haunting Paris by Mamta Chaudhry – 288 pages

Finished copy provided by Nan A. Talese in exchange for an honest review.

Book Blurb:

In the summer of 1989, while all of Paris is poised to celebrate the bicentennial of the French Revolution, Sylvie mourns the loss of her lover, Julien, and is unable to find solace in the music that has always been her refuge. But when she accidentally dislodges an envelope hidden in Julien’s desk, she finds an enigmatic note from a stranger and feels compelled to meet this woman who might hold the key to Julien’s past and to the story of the missing child he could not find in his lifetime. Julien’s sister and one of her daughters perished in the Holocaust; but Julien held out hope that the other daughter managed to escape. Julien had secretly devoted years to tracking his niece, and now Sylvie picks up where he left off.
With only the scant clue of an unnumbered street, Sylvie sets out on her quest for knowledge, unaware that she is watched over by Julien’s ghost, whose love for her is powerful enough to draw him back, though he is doomed to remain a silent observer in the afterlife. Sylvie’s journey leads her deep into the secrets of Julien’s past and she finally learns the devastating reason for Julien’s reticence about a tragedy both personal and historic, shedding new light on the dark days of Nazi-held Paris and on the man Sylvie loved.

My Review: 5 stars

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Haunting Paris stole my heart and is unlike any book I’ve ever read. The writing was melodic, smart and succinct; it read as an ode to love, to Paris and to those that perished during WW2. I would definitely consider this literary fiction based on the author’s way with words…much was said by what was left unsaid.

Written from the POV of both Julien, who has passed away, but is not yet gone, and Sylvie, his love, as she tries to unlock a mystery that Julien has privately held to his heart. Their voices were easily determinable and in my hard cover edition, Julien’s voice was printed in italics. Thankfully, the author trusted the reader to figure out the timelines, as much of the narration is in the past or in the present. Yes, it made me use my noggin to occasionally decipher, but it also allowed a unique presence into the story.

The book covers finding true love at any age or stage, music, building your own brand of family, searching for survivors after the Holocaust and finding your way after loss. The tough subject of the Holocaust was written with sensitivity, while also delving into the stain on France’s history – the Vel d’Hiv round up of thousands of Jew in Paris.

Chaudhry is a born storyteller although this is her debut novel. I was so moved by her lyrical voice and profound storyline. Characters were few, but each had a distinction that made them come to life. This is a short book that can be read in a just a few days. I highly suggest you dig in. I’ll be waiting for her next book!