Paris's new favorite literary soirée: The Book Club at Le Carmen

 This Wednesday, come on along to Le Carmen for the 4th installation of the by-now legendary Book Club party, sponsored by the literary magazine A Tale of Three Cities.

What is A Tale of Three Cities? I'm so glad you asked. It's a new arts journal, launching this summer, and devoted to showcasing the writing, artwork, and genius miscellany of Europe's "golden triangle," London, Paris, and Berlin. ("If we were ever to make the triangle a square, I think NY would be the choice," says their editor Rosa Rankin-Gee.) They're open to submissions-- find their submission guidelines here.

But more about the party. Having been to Chapter 3 last month, I can tell you that Le Carmen is one of those amazing spaces that you might imagine only exists in Paris if you've seen "Moulin Rouge!" too many times and have a thing for 19th century French prostitutes and absinthe. (We wouldn't blame you if you did.) Housed in the former home of Georges Bizet, author of the eponymous opera, Le Carmen features a human-sized birdcage, room after lushly lit room of gilded mirrors and intricate mouldings, and most importantly, a top-notch cocktail bar. The jaunty threesome behind the event (Rankin-Gee, Jethro Turner and Hanna Beširević) patrol the party to make sure everyone is having a delightfully literary time.

Here's how it works: you bring a book you don't mind giving away, and you trade it for a book some other person didn't mind giving away, and you hope for the best. Last time I brought James Salter's A Sport and a Pastime with me, but I had a devil of a time fobbing it off on someone. For some inscrutable reason my pitch ("Sex in France? Great writing?") was unsuccessful. Finally some lovely Swedish girl traded it for a French translation of a Doris Lessing novel. This time I will probably bring Chloe Aridjis's egregious Book of Clouds, because I just don't care to have it taking up space in my apartment. But I'm thinking that although the writing is pretty weak, since it's set in Berlin, it'll be an easy sell. (Which is probably what her agent and editor said, too.)

Details: Wednesday 25th May, from 8:30 pm, at Le Carmen, 22, rue de Douai 75009. Facebook invite here.

Comments

[Chat O'Brian]

I ve been to the two first chapters of this "literary" party and it s very disappointing...Bring a book is actually just a pretext and girls and boys just maybe feel more clever with a book as some others more self confident with a cigarette. Just here to be seen and be taken on photos, far from a real book club atmosphere. Nothing happens, you ll get bored very soon even if the place is very charming.
People just stay with there friends and would not share anything, any talk with someone they don't know, and absolutely not talking about either intellectual or literary.
The concept is very nice, the result is pitiful and pathetic.
(excuse my poor english...)

[Adam]

I'm going to sound a little petty, but once again I see the assertion that the bar is 'housed in the former home of Georges Bizet' which is just not true. The fact that I've seen this mentioned on several different blogs leads me to believe that it is the owners of the bar who are peddling the story, probably in an attempt to gain a little credibility.

I'm not sure who or what occupied this space in Bizet's time, but he was up on the 2nd floor with wife and baby, in a much smaller but still undoubtedly smart apartment.

[maitresse]

Not petty at all! He did live in the building, you're saying, just not in the actual space where the bar is?

[Hanna Bannana]

I like the fact that it is not a typical book club where you discuss and read out chapters to then examine them. people have a more relaxing approach. you have a few drinks, listen to lovely music and exchange a few books. I do understand people have different experiences with the event and im sorry you didnt manage to exchange yours.. ill be there on wednsday if you would like an exchange..

i promise to bring something fun x x

[Rosarankingee]

To Chat - yes, perhaps, for some, the book is a 'pretext to make them feel more self condident'... but how is this damning criticism? It is wonderful that a book might do this, and it is far less carcinogenic than a cigarette.

I'm sorry if you didn't manage to talk to people about your book - this is quite the opposite of the feedback we've have from other book clubbers. Also, to say that nothing happens is distinctly unfair. We have live bands, live DJs, performance poetry and as a team, we really try our hardest to make sure everyone feels included.

Perhaps it's not for everyone. But niether is your stereotypical Book Club. Don't we all deserve to be catered for?

[Lauren]

Personally I'm delighted it's not your typical book club. I always get kicked out of those. Contrary to what you might imagine, literature professors are no fun at book clubs.

But we quite enjoy drinking champagne and mingling over a paperback or two.

[Adam]

Lauren - yes, he lived in the same building, but not in this space. He married into a weathier family (the Halévys) than his own, and was surrounded in this building by members of that clan. Bizet was certainly never rich in his lifetime, but his wife did profit from his posthumous success!

A description of the apartment they lived in is given here - it sounds not bad at all by today's standards, despite it being described as of 'dimensions modestes'! http://www.mairie9.paris.fr/mairie09/jsp/site/Portal.jsp?document_id=14942&portlet_id=972

[JeffS]

Sounds great! I'll be there the last Wednesday in December

[ChefBlogDigest]

Thanks for sharing. I am curious what really is the book club all about.

[natasha]

Sounds fun - I'll join you for the next one, with my copy of that ridiculous Book of Clouds in tow. See if we can both fob it off on some unsuspecting Berlin lover who falls for the blurb.