The Beautiful Fall. Fashion, Genius and Glorious Excess in 1970s Paris - Alicia Drake

Advantages: A beautiful play, showing that Shakespeare was before his time
Disadvantages: None

...that nobody must find out about their relationship. Juliet is also now engaged to marry Count Paris, but really wants to be with Romeo. However, Romeo gets into a fight with the Capulets and kills Juliets cousin. He has to escape from Verona otherwise he will be killed. He and Juliet get married secretly and spend the night together, Romeo then leaves Verona. Juliet is supposed to be marrying Count Paris but her parents do not know she is already married. She goes to see the friar who married them, and he gives her a potion to drink which makes her appear dead but really sends her into a deep sleep for three days. Her family will bury her in the family tomb but she will awake and Romeo will meet her. The friar arranges to send the message to Romeo and Juliet takes the potion. She is buried in the Capulet tomb and is asleep, waiting for Romeo... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: length o.k., language good, story excellent
Disadvantages: You finish it in two days...because you cannot put it down!

...Nearly everyone knows Andrew lloyd Webber's musical "The Phantom of the Opera", but only few know the original story written by Gaston Leroux. The book should be given just as much attention as the musical, if not more - it is truly captivating. Leroux drags us into Paris in the last 19th century. We follow Raoul, the main character, on his way through Paris and sit next to him in the Paris opera, listening to the beautiful Christine. Of course he falls in love with her - and is on the way to discover her fate, her terrible destiny: a devlish pact in the cellars of the operahouse. It's a love story, a crime story, a historical book - a bit of everything. Leroux's story is entertaining and exciting. I extremely liked the way he began and ended the chapters, thereby keeping up the tension throughout the book. The identification... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Beautiful City steeped in history.
Disadvantages: Pricey.

...exhibitions here and they vary, so will depend upon when you visit, as do the prices. After having taken in all the culture that I can handle, I then visit the Park of Luxenburg. The reason for this is the peace and tranquility that it gives you. This park is used so much by Parisiens as a place to relax and unwind. I love it, and simply sit down and read amonst the statues and plants, and simply switch off. +++++ You could certainly not visit Paris and not see the Notre Dame, a huge, impressive cathedral that dates back as far as the 12th Century. This is a monstrous building but you know what I like about it ? It reminds you of how small and insignificant you are and all of us need reminding from time to time. The front of Notre Dame is beautiful with its stained glass windows, and is again a tourist trap, although you cannot fail to fall... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful