NEW RELEASE
Paris Dreaming - Anita Heiss (2011)
Following on from Manhattan Dreaming, this time the focus is on Lauren's friend, Libby, who also works at the National Aboriginal Gallery in Canberra. On a self-imposed man-fast after being hurt one too many times, Libby realises she needs to push herself in her career. She comes up with a plan to second herself to a Paris museum. But will she able to resist all those charming Frenchmen in the city of love? With some forthright political messages about racial discrimination, including France's push to ban burqas, the most interesting part was Libby's dedication to her career and indigenous art. The story sometimes comes across as a travelogue - which for readers who want a taste of Paris is a plus. But for those who want a cohesive story arc, being taken through meetings and incidents that have no bearing on the main storyline can be frustrating. Disappointingly, the plot thread about Libby's support of a Roma gypsy designer called Sorina was undeveloped.
Paris Dreaming, by Anita Heiss, is the follow-up to Manhattan Dreaming and again centres on a staff member from the National Aboriginal Gallery being sent on an overseas posting. The summary says: "Libby is on a man-fast: no more romance, no more cheating men, no more heartbreak. After all, she has her three best girlfriends and two cats to keep her company at night and her high-powered job at the National Aboriginal Gallery in Canberra to occupy her day - isn't that enough? But when fate takes Libby to work in Paris at the Musee du Quai Branly, she's suddenly thrown out of her comfort zone and into a city full of culture, fashion and love. Surrounded by thousands of attentive men, nude poets, flirtatious baristas and smooth-tongued lotharios, romance has suddenly become a lot more tempting. On top of it all, there's a chauvinist colleague at the Musee who challenges Libby's professional ability and diplomatic skills. Then there's Libby's new friend Sorina, a young Roma gypsy, desperate to escape deportation. Libby must protect her work record and her friend, but can she protect herself from a broken heart?" Paris Dreaming is out in April.