A Letter from Paris, Louisa Deasey
A Letter from Paris, Louisa Deasey
List: $22.95 | Sale: $16.07
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A Letter from Paris
A True Story of Hidden Art, Lost Romance, and Family Reclaimed

Author: Louisa Deasey

Narrator: Anthea Greco

Unabridged: 9 hr 31 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 10/01/2019

Synopsis

When Louisa Deasey receives a message from a Frenchwoman called Coralie, who has found a cache of letters in an attic, written about Louisa’s father, neither woman can imagine the events it will set in motion.The letters, dated 1949, detail a passionate affair between Louisa’s father, Denison, and Coralie’s grandmother, Michelle, in post-war London. They spark Louisa to find out more about her father, who died when she was six. From the seemingly simple question “Who was Denison Deasey?” follows a trail of discovery that leads Louisa to the streets of London, to the cafés and restaurants of Paris, and a poet’s villa in the south of France. From her father’s secret service in World War II to his relationships with some of the most famous bohemian artists in post-war Europe, Louisa unearths a portrait of a fascinating man, both at the epicenter and the mercy of the social and political currents of his time.A Letter from Paris is about the stories we tell ourselves and the secrets the past can uncover, showing the power of the written word to cross the bridges of time.

About Louisa Deasey

Louisa Deasey has published widely, including work in Overland, Vogue, The Australian, and The Age. Her first memoir, Love and Other U-Turns, was nominated for the Nita B. Kibble Award for women writers.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Kate

Louisa Deasey’s father died just before her seventh birthday, leaving her with only a few memories and a strange sense of disquiet caused by the dismissive comments many in her family made about him. She knew that he was a writer, and that drew her because of her own writing dreams. Her relatives ca......more

Goodreads review by Jeanette

Louisa recounts her young adult life searching for information about her father, a man who was already heading to the end of his life when she was a child and because of a family separation never really had the opportunity to discover much about him. Following in his literary footsteps seems to have......more

Goodreads review by Kali

I picked up this book thinking it would be one kind of story -- perhaps an uncovering of a family mystery, which in a way it is -- but when I read Louisa Deasey's memoir of self-discovery, I fell in love with it in a whole other way. It's a book I was meant to read at this point in my life. Which is......more

Goodreads review by Jenny

Louisa Deasey, take a bow. What an absolutely divine memoir. It was a joy to be taken into Louisa's world where she delved and dived into a world of letters, stories, diaries and photographs that gave her the undeniably surprising and refreshing portrait of who her father was. The chance discovery o......more

Goodreads review by Robert

Louisa weaves her father's story with her story. Denison's story is interesting. Louisa's, less so. I found myself skim reading large and small sections of this book. A good read? It felt more annoying than good.......more

Quotes

“An enchanting memoir that will stay with you long after you close the book.” Rebecca Raisin, author of Little Paris Collection

“A beautiful celebration of the profound healing power of stories shared.” Karina Machado, author of Spirit Sisters

“An amazing story which gave me tingles.” Carla Coulson, author of Italian Joy

“A beautiful true story, engagingly told. So much joy and kindness between the covers.” Natasha Lester, USA Today bestselling author

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