Today is the publishing date of Paris Blue, a new memoir by Julie Scolnik, and Julie has generously gifted two copies of the book for Eye Prefer Paris readers. The second and fifth person to comment on this post will receive a copy of the book. (Your mailing address must be in the continental U.S. to be eligible). Subscribers, click on "Book Giveaway- Paris Blue, A New Memoir by Julie Scolnik" on the email you receive, which will take you to https://www.ipreferparis.net/ where you can leave a comment on the bottom.
Paris Blue is now available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and through all independent booksellers. All info at www.JulieScolnik.com. Here is a 1-minute book trailer.
Synopsis
PARIS, 1976: Twenty-year-old American student Julie Scolnik had just arrived in the City of Light to study the flute when, from across a sea of faces in the chorus of the Orchestre de Paris, she is drawn to Luc, a striking (married) French lawyer in the bass section. This moving tale of an ebullient young American and a reserved Frenchman will transport readers to the cafés, streets, and concert halls of Paris in the late seventies, and, spanning three decades, evolves from deep romance to sudden heartbreak, and finally to a lifelong quest for answers to release hidden immutable grief.
Against a magical backdrop of Paris and classical music, Paris Blue is true fairy-tale memoir (with a dark underbelly) about the tenacious grip of first love.
A few praises from other authors:
“Not every true story is like a good novel, but this one is. Not every memoir of first love has a satisfying ending, but this one does. The confluence of first love with becoming an artist makes this memoir special.” John Irving
“Julie Scolnik’s beautiful page turner of a memoir captures with beauty and rare insight the power of music, words, and Paris to drive love to madness. To read her pitch perfect writing is to relive the exhilarations and vulnerabilities of one’s twenties.” — Judith Coffin, author of Sex, Love, and Letters: Writing Simone de Beauvoir
"Paris Blue gives melody to our common fancy: that Paris is where all great romances play out. Julie Scolnik’s memoir, recalling for us the myopia of innocence, returns us to our own first loves while establishing itself as a riveting tale both unique and universal.” —Gregory Maguire, novelist, and author of Wicked
“Paris Blue, Julie Scolnik’s memoir of first love in Paris, is written with the tender romanticism of Wordsworth and the devastating realism of Flaubert. Her lyrical writing about music transforms these discordant halves into a compelling whole, creating a dazzling love letter to a life lived in music.” Linda Katherine Cutting, author of Memory Slips
“The haunting impact of our first true and deep love stays with us the remainder of our lives, and all of us struggle in some way to put those emotions - the exultation, the revelries of passion and belonging, and the ultimate scars of loss - into a workable context. This book explores the process, including the barriers, the relapses and the ultimate conclusion that one's life needs to find its own forms.” Greg Fields, author of Arc of the Comet and Through the Waters and the Wild
"Paris Blue could speak to anyone who's ever yearned for closure that never came. But Julie Scolnik's memoir doesn't simply try to make sense of a bewildering romance; through telling the story she manages to bless the past, in all its complexity, while giving herself fully to the present. - Leah Hager Cohen, author of Strangers and Cousins and The Grief of Others
“Nothing burns hotter than young love, and Julie Scolnik captures that singular fervor in ‘Paris Blue.’ But her memoir is more than that: it’s a deeply felt, bittersweet reflection on how youthful passion changes you and clings to you, forever.” Howard Reich, author “The Art of Inventing Hope: Intimate Conversations with Elie Wiesel”
Julie Scolnik's memoir, Paris Blue, brings full spectrum color to a love affair with Paris, music, and a man whose limited vision couldn't keep her from shining. Filled with sensuousness, sound, and light, as well as the hard edge of truth, this story of first love grips the reader tight. —Jennifer Rosner, author of The Yellow Bird Sings
I’ll take one! 📚
Posted by: Michelle N Fedder | October 05, 2021 at 06:42 AM
Ah this sounds like a true embodiment of Paris, perfect for people planning trips to France or on the cusp and missing it. Thank you for briefly transporting us!
Posted by: Melissa McKinley | October 05, 2021 at 06:43 AM
Looks like a great read
Posted by: Rob Bertram | October 05, 2021 at 06:47 AM
Looking forward to reading about Paris in the 70´s.
Posted by: Mira Ford | October 05, 2021 at 07:05 AM
Love, music, Paris! I can't wait to read Julie's book!
Posted by: carolyn | October 05, 2021 at 08:00 AM
I can’t wait to read this book! I was in Paris from 76-78 studying at the Sorbonne and then L’École Supérieure D’Arts Graphiques.
A very special and romantic time for me as well!! J’adore Paris!
Posted by: Cecilia Dishaw | October 05, 2021 at 08:39 AM
I arrived in Paris for the first time on my 21st birthday just over fifty years ago, wanting to be in love but not ready to find it. Exploring the city was my exquisite reward.
Posted by: Sherri Segall | October 05, 2021 at 08:43 AM
Sounds like a great read!
Posted by: Kathy Church | October 05, 2021 at 10:08 AM
First love? I remember it to well as the broken heart it left over 44 years ago....... It was only two years the last one at a distance but after all this time I wonder why she did what eventually, and abruptly, finished but all. Would like to read it!
Posted by: Martin Barros | October 05, 2021 at 11:44 AM
Paris is the Capital of Love!
Posted by: Susan Emanuel | October 05, 2021 at 12:33 PM
Always love a good Paris story!
Julie
Posted by: Julie Boston | October 05, 2021 at 12:42 PM
Looking forward to reading it! Jim Malone
Posted by: James F Malone | October 05, 2021 at 12:57 PM
These comments make me very happy! Thank you all! and Thank you Richard for connecting us!
Posted by: Julie Scolnik | October 05, 2021 at 02:11 PM
Oh yes please I would love a copy
Posted by: Liz Sauter | October 05, 2021 at 02:14 PM
My first love was Jean Jacques in Paris when I was 19!,, would love to read
Posted by: Kelly Kinsella | October 05, 2021 at 02:27 PM
I can't wait to read this! I am headed to Paris in 10 days for my 4th trip. My husband, on our first date told me he wanted to take me to Paris someday - we were there, for his first visit just before Covid. I look forward to reading this; the book and the author sound fabulous!
Posted by: Barb Wright | October 05, 2021 at 02:39 PM
Congratulations to the author on the publication of her book. It sounds delightful, I can’t wait to read it! And Richard, I love your blog, it’s wonderful. Wishing you all the best
Posted by: Irenka Jakubiak | October 05, 2021 at 02:50 PM
We’ll it looks like I didn’t win. Amazon, here I come! I have to read this book..
Posted by: Wini Moranville | October 05, 2021 at 03:26 PM
i remember mine. bittersweet. books like this help sprinkle back most of the sweet.
Posted by: lee | October 05, 2021 at 04:24 PM
Paris Blue great movie with Paul Newman & Sidney Poitier love to win for our 46th anniversary Larry Segall, Trumbull, Ct
Posted by: Larry Segall | October 05, 2021 at 05:26 PM