Ellie Nielsen - Buying A Piece of Paris (2007)

Nielsen has written a lovely book that is exactly what the title says - it describes a bumbling attempt to buy a Parisian apartment over the course of two weeks. 'Bumbling' because Melbourne native Nielsen and her husband Jack, with son Ellery in tow, seem to go into it all halfheartedly like a couple of dreamers who want the dream without the reality and end up making oodles of mistakes along the way

I really enjoyed this book even though I don't want to buy my own piece of Paris. It was just such an interesting look at another aspect of French culture. The way homes are sold mirrors Australian real-estate in many ways. I like the lack of Auctions, I've never liked them, they make me anxious, so I was happy to find out that they just do not exist in Paris. It's also interesting that apartments are sold by the square-metre, which doesn't count inhabitable space - like cupboards. That would be so confusing for a non-native to understand and makes me wonder how complicated our own system would be to a foreigner.

I liked Nielsen because she was so flawed - she knew it and was perfectly fine narrating her constant struggles with all things Parisian. I get tired of Travel Memoir authors who are so very perfect, have absolutely no problems while traveling and conquer every obstacle with such ease. It makes the book feel like a lie and I generally chuck it before I finish reading it. Nielsen's felt like the stark utter truth. I really felt for her attempts to get the language right as she hunted for the 'right' apartment - even when it would have been easier to run away, give up and go home.

The only problem I have with the book is that I am now craving Nutella crepes!