Parisian Days by Banine

 Banine tells an exotic tale of life in Paris amongst the Russian diaspora after the Russian Revolution, and her journey to becoming a writer. Her descriptions of the famous figures and motley crews amongst the Russians, and her analysis of the diaspora are the most interesting part of the book. Her own story is written in a somewhat melodramatic and breathless manner, and she often seems rather unlikeable.

After her wealthy family escapes from Russia, and she is finally free from an unhappy marriage, but poor, Banine feels liberated. She is also free 'from the veil', and the life expected of her as a demure Muslim girl in the 1920s. She finds a modelling position for a famous designer, and enjoys the Bohemian lifestyle of her sister and brother-in-law. However, her friend Gunnar, with her charm, her lovers and her ambition to marry an aristocrat, plays a large part in the book. Banine also spends a long time relating her strange relationship with her lover who she seems to dislike most of the time. She is certainly impatient with him. Young and innocent, she has been practically ordered to get a lover to be 'one of the girls', so she seemed to sleep with the first one she fancied, and then take it out on him. This is where I rather disliked her.

However, the tale of the Russian emigres in Paris is always fascinating, and this book is well-worth reading. I will read it's prequel Caucasian Days next.

I received this free ebook from Edelweiss.plus in return for an honest review.