De Lutece in Paris. And more generally, from Gaul to France. How did we go through these steps? There are two versions, or at least two points of view. There is history with the general H, one that we are taught in school. And then there's the small history, one that is built with the stories and hopes of the time. Both of us happy but the same events they do not direct the spotlight on the same actors, or the facts. Only the shading is present on both tables.
Lorant Deutsch offers here a little tour of the history of France through the two windows. He tells us through the past twenty-one underground stations. In every century, it stops. It begins with the Ile de la Cité, birthplace of ancient Paris, and we end up by the Defence, the birthplace of modern Paris. In fact, the circuit is somewhat circular since Lutetia is actually born from the Seine, but at Nanterre. It was the Romans, during the reconstruction, who expressed that it might be better and safer to install the city on this cluster of islands in the middle of the Seine. And go for the history of a city that has grown tremendously through the years. A city whose fate has followed that of France, and has even started. If you love Lorant Deutsch and his wit, you will love this book. He recounts past events by mixing the two stories I mentioned. So, we are caught in the course of the narrative. A small weakness is Paris and passionate history, and this passion loses from time to time. I mean, sometimes it enters a little too descriptive in the street or other remnants of long ago. If you do not know Paris, these passages may seem breadsticks. Otherwise, it can be very interesting to take the book to go walking in Paris reading the signs of the author.
You learn a lot about Paris and her past. Why Paris first? Has it always been the capital of France? And when France is France and it became more Gaul? This book is really exciting. Lorant Deutsch is a great storyteller who captivates his audience. To read or even just to browse.
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