Author: Tahir Shah
Release: April 30, 2014
Series: None
Genre: Fiction
Edition: Kindle (Mobi)
Pages: 3668
Publisher: Secretum Mundi Publishing
Source: Publicist
Buy it here: Amazon

Blurb

On the morning of her fifth birthday, Miki Suzuki’s aged grandfather gave her an unusual gift – the fragment of a story. The tale told of a magical realm where all the women were beautiful, dressed in the finest gowns, and where the men had the looks of movie stars. The trees were covered in ivory-white blossom all year round, and everyone was joyful and proud. This place, young Miki learned, was a city in far off Europe – a city called Paris.

The story took seed in Miki’s mind and, over twenty years, she became quite obsessed with the French capital. Having studied its history, language, and traditions, she vowed that one day she would venture there.

Winning a competition at her work, where she sold low-grade beauty products door-to-door, Miki embarked on the journey of a lifetime to her dream destination.

Feverishly excited, and exhausted after a long flight, she hit the ground running, in her desperation to see every last tourist sight in town. But, as the others in the tour group looked on in horror, the telltale signs of a rare condition began to manifest themselves – a condition known as ‘Paris Syndrome’.

Made crazed by a stream of unfavourable events, Miki went on a riotous rampage, which ended in her mooning the sales clerk in Louis Vuitton – an assault that gripped the French nation. And so began the treatment in the most bizarre of clinics – a refuge for fellow sufferers of Paris Syndrome. All this set against a backdrop of vigilante groups, trade wars, bounty hunters, and true love.

Both hilarious and toe-cringing, Miki Suzuki’s psychological rollercoaster ride gets under the skin like nothing else, as the novel explores the real condition that afflicts dozens of Japanese tourists each year.

Rating

Review

Plot/Story:

This is my second book I’ve read by Tahir Shah and he keeps the same style of adventure here as well and I feel so lucky to have received this book. The story is bit mad like as a lot happens to Miki (the main character) and all at once. After a story her grandfather told her, she becomes obsessed about Paris and tries to get there in every way she can. I love how the author weave the story and the fantasy of Paris build up in Miki and in us. He lures us into the story with bits of fantasy about the beautiful Paris, but when she finally get there, after a lot of struggles and tears, the reality of her wonderful and magical city shatters her totally (I want to say so much here… but you must read it to know more). The author shows us so well what can happen when your dreams meet reality. I love how the madness consumes the main character and how crazy it can get. I can relate to that a lot! It’s a drama and comedy all in one 🙂

Characters:

Miki is a very strong, intelligent and very loyal friend. She has so much love for her grandfather and she never gives up, no matter how tough is the struggle or how mad things become for her.

Romance/Kills:

Her true love and obsession is Paris!

Writing:

I love the author’s writing style so much. The way he show us the details, the way he tackles real things in way we can all relate to (like the Paris Syndrome) and the overall emotions are so upfront, but not overbearing. There is a very dark element in the story as Miki finally arrives to Paris, but I liked it a lot.

Beginning:

The author shows us the reality of Miki (the main character) and the Japanese culture, so well, that let us into that culture very easily as well. At the start of the story, we see the beautiful Miki and her friend, how they live and Miki’s hard job. We see the memory of her grandfather’s stories of this beautiful city and his adventures in Paris.

Ending:

The story ended with a promise.

Cover Art:

The cover art is beautiful and I love the vintage feel to it.

Blurb:

The blurb showcases the book’s plot perfectly and with the hint of the author good humor.

You can also read this review at Goodreads and Amazon.

Other Stuff

Opening Line: “On the morning of her fifth birthday, Miki Suzuki sat perched on her grandfather’s knee, at the edge of the porch in the family home, a short distance from Sendai.”

Highlights: It is a fast pace story, wonderful details and plot well thought off. I enjoyed every second of reading this book and I love this author writing style so much.

Lowlights: None!

Final Thoughts: I highly recommend this book to everyone 🙂

Review contributor:

Galit Balli

I am an avid reader, coffee addict, a writer and a blogger. I am a bit of agoraphobic (people scare me, lol). Me and my hubby love to spend every moment together, we even game together.

I live mostly in my own imaginary world full of dragons, magic and vampires and from time to time I pull myself away to deal with the real world.

Read more about Galit here.