Paris Metro: A Novel

If you are looking for an unexpected and well-told story, read Paris Metro. This book follows the story of journalist Kit as she reports events in the Middle East, Paris, and elsewhere, enduring life along the way. During this journey, she encounters a series of “Ahmeds,” her husband, her son, and various others along the way. These “Ahmeds” as well as her other guides like Zorro, Alexandre, Jean, and Rousse teach her different lessons and pull her various directions, taking the reader along the course of these interactions. Moreover, each person, each conversation, adds a layer to Kit’s character. As the reader, you begin to question her thinking, her reasoning, and her decision-making, especially toward the end of the narrative.

Overall, Steavenson succeeds through her artful prose. She rocks the reading into a lullaby of words as she narrates the calm and instills fear through the precise use of tone when the tempo picks up. Her word choice is immaculate. The book is a success by the writing style alone. However, for me, the book becomes something special by leaving the reader thinking. She draws up so many questions about prejudice, existence, race, religion, and culture in society today through the difficult perspective of Kit: the one holding these prejudices. I left the book wondering if I could understand the actions of Kit, if I could understand her worldview. This novel left me thinking about my place in society at large, and to me, that makes an excellent book. The one area of critique is the slight imbalance in the pacing. I felt like the first two-thirds dragged, and the last third peppered events at the reader at the pace at which the whole book should have been set. The end teased up the essential questions Steavenson wanted to address. Overall, I recommend Paris Metro if you want a hard but worthwhile read.