Dear Paris: The Paris Letters Collection

This is the third of three Paris-based books by Janice MacLeod. For those who are unfamiliar with her story, she burned out in her advertising job, came up with an escape plan, and about ten years ago walked away from it all and bought a plane ticket to Paris. That, and what happened next, is all detailed in Paris Letters, along with how she came up with the idea to create painted letters about her experiences in the City of Lights, and sell subscriptions to those letters to finance her life there.

This new book is a collection of those letters. And it is a beauty! What we saw in shades of grey in Paris Letters is now – finally – in full colour. There are 140 gorgeous water colour paintings, each framing a hand-written letter, and each accompanied by a typescript of the text for easier reading. From keys to cheese to statues to cemeteries to her own wedding brunch, Janice shares slices of Parisian life. I suppose you could read it in one or two sittings, but I recommend looking at it slowly, taking the time to examine the details, and to savour it all. It may not be the same as being in Paris, but it’s the next best thing!

This creative work of art, along with a multitude of letters on the many and varied aspects of life in Paris tugs at my heartstrings, and makes me want to return to Paris once again. Along with the letters and evocative drawings, there are relevant quotations about Paris by many famous people. I am savoring each magical page. I read it and then think awhile my own thoughts about this glorious city, which had such a major impact on my life.

Should you plan to purchase any book this year, I would hope this would be your first choice. If you love art and literature, I feel certain that you will not be disappointed. Thank you, Janice MacLeod for this brilliant masterpiece.

I thought this book would be a little different from her other book Dear Paris. Its a good book if youre buying one or the other. However, there are so many duplicate pages with the exact same verbage from her Dear Paris book. The font is better in this book, its not handwritten and then transcribed in typed format. There are photographs in this books vs painted pics in her other book. The postcards and scrap book like feel of this book makes this book different, which is what I like. However, I dont need two of these books. Ill probably give away one of these books to a friend. The 3-star rating is because Ive read most of the verbiage from previous book, which was pretty astounding if you arent expecting it. I purchased the book because I wanted more. Unfortunately, it was just another book with less.

I am a newbie to the paris letters series. I was scrolling through amazon and this caught my eye. I ordered it hoping I would like it. I love paris, and illustrations…I am an artist myself so I thought it would be inspiring for me creatively. Like another reviewer mentioned, I didn’t realize these letters and pictures have been featured in her other books (I don’t know if its just some or all?) which I have checked out of the library but I do not own. I think I will read this one first and enjoy her illustrations in full glossy color. But I think even if you have her other books it is worth it to have a collection of the letters printed together so beautifully. I have yet to read it…but it looks good.

I had subscribed to some of Janices beautiful painted letters in the past so Im thrilled to have her whole collection in one gorgeous book. Its such fun to pick it up and read a page or two and get a little slice of Paris. Will definitely brighten your day!

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