This delightful text combines the practicalities of a travel guide with the revealing observations of social journalism. ‘How to Enjoy Paris in 1842’ covers a wide range of subjects, from the history of the great city to contemporary commerce, conveyed by a witty, often satirical narrative reminiscent of Jonathan Swift. The author guides the reader on a leisurely walk around the monuments and attractions of the capital, bringing to life a vibrant and mesmerising city. Hervé’s narrative voice is engaging in that it constantly appeals to the reader, inviting their participation in his Parisian experience, and succeeds in combining anecdotal humour with witty observations of both the French and British. His Paris is populated by caricatures worthy of Dickens, the city familiarized through the inclusion of personal anecdotes performed by stereotypes still recognizable now. This fascinating book provides today's reader with a real sense of how much and how little things have changed in the intervening century and a half.
