The Paris Novel

Explore Reichl’s use of sensory details throughout the novel, particularly when describing food, to enhance the novel’s plot and themes. Cite specific examples from the text to support your argument.

Stella has a number of encounters with real, historical chefs, writers, and artists. Why do you think Reichl blends fiction and fact in this way? What effect does it have on the narrative?

Stella is initially resistant to traveling to Paris, claiming that she is content with her “comfortable” life in New York. What literary devices does Reichl employ to provide a contrast between her New York life and the life she builds in Paris?