A Bakery in Paris by Aimie K. Runyan
What's It About?
This captivating historical novel set in 19th-century and post–World War II Paris follows two fierce women of the same family, generations apart, who find that their futures lie in the four walls of a simple bakery in a tiny corner of Montmartre.“Sometimes food is simple nourishment for the body. Sometimes it is nourishment for the soul. Sometimes it is an apology”.
A Bakery in Paris (William Morrow) brings a fresh take to a historical fiction novel, and Aimie K. Runyan can bring together mystery, comfort and two strong female characters to make this book a true joy to read.
Micheline Chartier is trying to navigate post-World War II France, without the guidance of her parents. She is working hard to support her two younger sisters, having lost her dad during the war. Then, her mother went missing. Micheline will not give up her search, not just for herself but for the well-being of her sisters. When a wealthy neighbor enrolls her in a prestigious baking school and helps her imagine what it may be like to run a bakery out of the empty restaurant below her apartment, Micheline tries to forge her own path while still holding the torch for her lost mother.
A Story Across Generations of Women
Through her time at the baking academy, she reads through her mother’s old cookbook, which was actually written by her great-grandmother, Lisette, during the 1870 Prussian invasion. It turns out that the restaurant that Micheline’s parents rented out below their apartment was originally a bakery run by her great-grandmother!
In reading through her recipes, she also picks up details of Lisette’s life that she didn’t know. In giving up her life of luxury to join in the fight for a Paris of the People, Lisette finds herself, starts a family, and comes to realize what is the most important.
Both of these incredible women are recovering from the horrors of war while fighting for what they believe to be most important – family and their future. In their efforts to move forward and rebuild, they are constantly challenged and forced to pivot, showing their true strength in the wake of disastrous circumstances. When Micheline finds out the truth about her mother, she is finally able to accept the love that she deserves and looks forward to creating a future for herself and her sisters. And Lisette’s fiery spirit guides her through it all.
A Delicious Dive into History
Alternating perspectives can be hard to navigate in some books, but that is certainly not the case with A Bakery in Paris. The perspectives of our two heroines are intertwined and creatively done so through recipes in some areas! But it’s not like reading a cookbook by any means, but rather like looking into someone’s soul or reading their diary. It’s interesting to think about what it must be like to read the thoughts of a great-grandmother whom you’ve never actually met but have more in common than you ever realized. I would imagine that it’s relieving and comforting, especially given Micheline is struggling to care for her family and start a new career. I imagine that it makes her more confident in her abilities, to know that the matriarch of the family went through something very similar and persevered.
This book is like a sweet treat at the end of the day, a warm croissant on a rainy day (I could go on and on here). But when you strip it down and look at the ingredients, this novel focuses on life, love, the pursuit of happiness, and perseverance above all else. It is incredibly eye-opening and focuses on two periods that we don’t see often in historical fiction — 19th century and post-World War II Paris. It was a new and exciting topic for me to read about, chock full of interesting details and supporting characters. This book makes me want to dive into all of the others that Runyan has written. A must-read for historical fiction lovers!
Aimie K. Runyan writes to celebrate history’s unsung heroines. She has been honored as a Historical Novel Society Editors’ Choice selection, as a three-time finalist for the Colorado Book Awards and as a nominee for the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer of the Year. Aimie is active as an educator and speaker in the writing community and beyond. Her most recent books, The Castle Keepers (in collaboration with J’nell Ciesielski and Rachel McMillan) and A Bakery in Paris release in 2023 from HarperCollins. Also from HarperCollins, Aimie’s contemporary Women’s Fiction debut, The Memory of Lavender and Sage, will release in early 2024. She lives in Colorado with her amazing husband, two (usually) adorable children, two (always) adorable kitties and a dragon. To learn more about Aimie, please visit www.aimiekrunyan.com.
