The Paris Novel

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Reichl draws on her personal experience and career as a food writer and critic to inform Stella’s story. Did you find any connections between Stella’s fictional life and Reichl’s memoirs—Tender at the Bone, Comfort Me with Apples, Garlic and Sapphires, or Save Me the Plums?
• In what ways can The Paris Novel be characterized as a love story between Stella and the city itself? 
• Throughout the novel, Reichl introduces Stella to the fashion, literature, art, and food of Paris. What impact do each of these artistic mediums have on Stella’s journey?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection 

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Consider your favorite city. What sensory memories do that city’s food, music, art, and fashion evoke for you? 
• In The Paris Novel, Stella steps out of her comfort zone when she decides to leave New York for the first time. Have you had the experience of leaving your comfort zone for a new adventure? How did it feel?
• How does your relationship with your family of origin or your chosen family impact your identity and worldview?  

3. Societal and Cultural Context 

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• Reichl evokes the literary and artistic community of the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore in Paris to support Stella’s search for belonging. What impact does Reichl’s inclusion of notable artists of the period such as James Baldwin, Allen Ginsberg, and Richard Olney have on your experience of the story? 
• Stella’s search for Victorine’s self-portrait mirrors her coming-of-age arc throughout the novel. In what ways does her obsession with the portrait highlight questions about who dictates a country’s history, who is remembered, and who is intentionally erased?
• James Baldwin wrote extensively on his experiences living outside the United States for 20 years. He famously wrote many of his most acclaimed works in Paris, including his 1956 bestseller Giovanni’s Room and his essay collection, Notes of a Native Son. How does Baldwin’s depiction of Paris in his own work compare to Reichl’s fictionalized portrayal of his experiences?  

4. Literary Analysis 

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• What classic tropes of a traditional coming-of-age story does Reichl employ to craft Stella’s character arc? Could this story be classified as a young adult novel? Why or why not? 
• What fairy tale allusions or elements does Reichl weave into her novel, and how do they shape the narrative tone?
• Consider the motif of food that is woven through the story. How do the meals Stella eats in Paris contribute to her self-discovery?

5. Creative Engagement 

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• How would Stella’s story be different if it took place in 2024 (the year it was published) instead of 1983? How would her experiences change or shift? What additional challenges might she face?
• Create a collage of food, art, literature, and fashion that encapsulates Stella’s journey of self-discovery throughout the novel. Share and discuss your selections with the group to explore how each element reflects her transformation.
• Consider an alternate version of Stella’s life in which she stays in New York and never visits Paris. What does her coming-of-age arc look like in New York? How might her engagement with food and art still allow her to find herself? 

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