A Paris Moment

""In Paris, when you walk out the door . . . the day springs to life as a full-blown performance, and if you are not part of the audience, you are part of the cast." "

With a wonderful turn of phrase and a wicked sense of humour, Cope provides an intimate account of everyday life in a magical city, most often as "part of the cast."

Sometimes your wildest dreams really do come true. No-one knows this better than author Gordon Cope whose life took a very exciting turn when his wife, Linda, was offered a one-year posting to the world's dream destination - Paris, the City of Lights.

Cope and Linda find the Paris of their dreams on the Right Bank of the Seine in Le Marais, a neighbourhood rich in controversy, conspiracy, culture, and madness - in short, their kind of place.

In Paris, more than anywhere else, Cope is struck by the immediateness, the now, of his surroundings, amid centuries of history, and the subtle rhythms and pulses of the neighbourhood. His observations on life in Le Marais - its delightful residents, fascinating history, and sublime culinary experiences in the local brasseries and restaurants - are crystal clear and create an appealing intimacy.

So, as Cope undergoes his own metamorphosis from typical tourist to established year-round resident, some days you might find yourself wandering the narrow lanes of Le Marais with him as he introduces you to the denizens of the area. On other days, you might find yourself at Cope's side, delving into the colourful history of Le Marais.

And on in-between days, you will find your mouth watering at Cope's delectable descriptions of their frequent forays into fine dining.