SYNOPSIS
Paras, short for "Perestroika," is a spirited racehorse at a racetrack west of Paris. One afternoon at dusk, she finds the door of her stall open and--she's a curious filly--wanders all the way to the City of Light.
She's dazzled and often mystified by the sights, sounds, and smells around her, but she isn't afraid. Soon she meets an elegant dog, a German shorthaired pointer named Frida, who knows how to get by without attracting the attention of suspicious Parisians.
Paras and Frida coexist for a time in the city's lush green spaces, nourished by Frida's strategic trips to the vegetable market. They keep company with two irresponsible ducks and an opinionated raven.
But then Paras meets a human boy, Etienne, and discovers a new, otherworldly part of Paris: the ivy-walled house where the boy and his nearly-one-hundred-year-old great-grandmother live in seclusion.
As the cold weather and Christmas near, the unlikeliest of friendships bloom. But how long can a runaway horse stay undiscovered in Paris? How long can a boy keep her hidden and all to himself?
REVIEW
When first meeting Paras the horse, there is a great sense that this filly is more than what is considered as being a normal animal. But rather she is curious, intelligent and shown time and time again that she has a lot of kindness in her heart. However, it seems that this is not just exclusive behaviour just for Paras, rather it is presented throughout all the characters. Whether that is the dog, rat, or young boy, it is clear that family can come in many forms and why does it have to be species exclusive? There is a great focus on how important it is to realise that all animals have a great deal of sentience.
Even though there is a great focal point on animals and how they go about living as strays and being independent creatures, what is paramount is the stories about people. How these animals, stray that they are, have an effect on people going about their daily lives. For instance, the baker who waits for Paras and believes her to be some spiritual animal, the greengrocer who gives Frida the dog fruit and vegetables to take back to her friends and the young boy who can't believe his luck when he sees a horse. All of us are connected and it shows that community and friendship are the most important things in this life.
This is a book which I have found different to others that I have read. There has been this overwhelming feelings of emotion and how it has changed throughout. There has been moments of annoyance, hatred, sadness and joy. I was truly able to get lost in the story, which was nice for a change.
I really did think that this was a great book even though it did take me a little while to get into it properly. But this is a book of how we should all live and how we should all look out of each other and it should be a must read for everyone.
RATING: ***** (FIVE STARS)
WHERE TO BUY
Waterstones: The Strays of Paris by Jane Smiley | Waterstones
Bookshop.org: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/3917/9781529052978
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