Paris has seduced many admirers, but for visiting Australian Ellie Nielsen it’s true love. So deep is her infatuation that, if she can’t have it all to herself, she’ll only be satisfied with buying her own little piece of Paris.

The object of her desire seems so simple: the sort of apartment she’s seen a thousand times in magazines and books. Something effortlessly charming, and old, and quirky — and expertly decorated. Something exuding character and Parisian chic. Something quintessentially French.

The trouble is, she has only two short weeks in which to realise her fantasy — and she must somehow negotiate a deal in a foreign language without offending French real-estate etiquette. Is this even vaguely possible, or just a ridiculous folly? With her trusty French phrasebook in hand, and plucking up her reserves of savoir faire, Ellie embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. Beauty is everywhere even if, like all true romances, there are many obstacles to be overcome. But then, c’est toujours comme ça à Paris.

Buying a Piece of Paris is a charming and witty love-song to the most beautiful city in the world. Written with great verve and a superb ear for language, it is a joy to read and a pleasure to dream about.

Staff Review:
Ah, the indulgences of the wealthy, an apartment in Paris! Well, actually no; Ellie Nielsen takes us all along on her delightful quest for the perfect Paris apartment and you can’t help but become a cheering participant in the journey. An unexpected inheritance enables Ellie’s fantasy to become a possibility and Buying a Piece of Paris is an account of her search. Who would have thought that seemingly endless encounters with French estate agents and ruminations on the quirkiness of the sale procedure would be so fascinating. French real estate agents seem almost philosophical: ‘Why do you want to buy an apartment in Paris?’ ‘Well, because I love Paris.’ ‘Everybody loves Paris, but does Paris love you?’ ‘No.’ ‘Of course not. Paris loves no-one but Paris!’ Along the way, Ellie gives us little snippets of Paris through her traipsing around looking at apartments; but they are snippets that we wouldn’t normally see: the glimpse of the gay couple selling their apartment, the complication of opening a bank account, and the officiousness of the French real estate system. Finally there is success in Rue De Rivoli opposite the Hotel de Ville … ‘I step into the pretty oasis of calm. I breathe in the room ... tres jolie!’ I met Ellie for the first time recently and asked if the apartment was everything she hoped for. ‘Much more,’ she replied. So please buy this book and maybe Ellie will let me use her apartment .... if she does, you can come too, but we won’t tell her!

Mark Rubbo is Managing Director of Readings