French Rhapsody

Antoine Laurain's new masterpiece combines his trademark charm with a trenchant critique of the troubled state France is today.

Praise for The Red Notebook:

"An endearing love story written in beautifully poetic prose. It is an enthralling mystery about chasing the unknown, the nostalgia for what could have been, and most importantly, the persistence of curiosity."?San Francisco Book Review

Praise for The President's Hat:

"Its gentle satirical humor reminded me of Jacques Tati's classic films."?Library Journal

"Irresistibly whimsical, possessed of wit somewhere between that of Alan Bennett's in The Uncommon Reader and Muriel Barbery's in The Elegance of the Hedgehog, and thoroughly entertaining"?The King's English Bookshop, Salt Lake City

Antoine Laurain's new novel combines his trademark charm with a satirical take on modern France.

Middle-aged doctor Alain Massoulier has received a life-changing letter?thirty-three years too late.

Lost in the Paris postal system for decades, the letter from Polydor, dated 1983, offers a recording contract to The Hologr ams, in which Alain played lead guitar.

Back then The Holograms had believed in their cutting-edge sound. However, the music industry remained indifferent, and eventually the band split up, each going their own way.

Alain is overcome by nostalgia, and is tempted to track down the members of the group. But in a world where everything and everyone has changed . . . where will his quest take him?

Antoine Laurain is a Parisian screenwriter, antiques collector and the author of six novels, three of which are available in English. The President's Hat was a 2013 ABA Indies Introduce choice.

Rezension:

'Beautifully written, superbly plotted and with a brilliant twist at the end' Daily Mail

'Anyone who enjoyed Laurain's previous novels The President's Hat and The Red Notebook will doubtlessly enjoy this new romp' Portland Book Review

'It has been a long while since I laughed out loud so many times while reading a book. French Rhapsody is the title that had my endorphins dancing a jig' Coastal Breeze News

'What makes French Rhapsody one of the must-reads of the moment is not just its off-the-wall humour, but its deep sense of melancholy. If it wasn't so funny, you'd weep for the roads not taken' Le Figaro

'Once again I had been swamped by Laurain's individual take on the Gallic charm' The Book Bag

'Quirky and nostalgic, hilarious and satirical. A portrait of France as you may not know it!' Words and Peace

'The novel has Laurain's signature charm, but with the added edge of greater engagement with contemporary France' The Sunday Times

'A tale of dashed dreams, lost love and rediscovered hope that is also an incisive state-of-the-nation snapshot' The Lady

'This well-structured dramedy weaves together the destinies of a group of colorful characters and paints a surprising picture of the eighties generation, too cocky to realize that they were being outrun by modernity' The French Embassy in Canada

'Witty, nostalgic [...] I was completely charmed' Woman and Home

'Full of charming one-liners [...] I loved it' Shiny New Books

'This gem blends soft humour and sadness with the extraordinary' Sainsbury's Magazine