L'Appart: The Delights and Disasters of Making My Paris Home

Written by David Lebovitz

Narrated by Graham Halstead

Bestselling author and world-renowned chef David Lebovitz continues to mine the rich subject of his evolving ex-Pat life in Paris, using his perplexing experiences in apartment renovation as a launching point for stories about French culture, food, and what it means to revamp one's life. Includes dozens of new recipes.
 
When David Lebovitz began the project of updating his apartment in his adopted home city, he never imagined he would encounter so much inexplicable red tape while contending with perplexing work ethic and hours. Lebovitz maintains his distinctive sense of humor with the help of his partner Romain, peppering this renovation story with recipes from his Paris kitchen. In the midst of it all, he reveals the adventure that accompanies carving out a place for yourself in a foreign country—under baffling conditions—while never losing sight of the magic that inspired him to move to the City of Light many years ago, and to truly make his home there.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
• Release date: Nov 7, 2017
• ISBN: 9780525496427

Reviews for L'Appart

[murderbydeath · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

If you are secretly (or not so secretly) fascinated by the sight of car wrecks (where no one is injured, of course), you might really like this book.

That's not why I bought it, or course; I thought I'd be reading a breezy memoir about moving to Paris and buying a fabulous, though a tad run down, old apartment and the joys of renovating it. I imagined living vicariously through the author as he haunted the flea markets and found fabulous old doors, lamps, hardware, crockery, etc. Sure, the title says "disasters", too, but they're probably the run of the mill disasters everyone faces when building/renovating, right? Someone painted the kitchen the color meant for the baths, or switched the hot and cold taps.

Not even close. In fact, looking at the title, I'm not at all sure where the "delights" come into play. Maybe book 2? Because I gotta tell you, after reading this, I have a lot more sympathy for people who burn the house down for the insurance money. I also have a new appreciation for just how much worse Australian real estate could be. I've always tried to be positive or, at least tactful, about my current home country, but I've never held back on how bent I believe their real estate industry is, particularly Melbourne's (I'm not wrong either: Victoria has been cited numerous times for fraudulent real estate practices; not that it slows anybody down). But boy howdy, Paris makes it clear Aussies are in the minor leagues.

But the buying dramas (did you know you need a medical examination to get a home loan?) were just the amuse bouche; the real nightmare, the one you can't stop reading because it's like a train that just keeps on wrecking itself, a metal snowball gaining mass and spreading destruction, is the renovations. There. are. no. words.

This is where I stop to give a heartfelt thanks to my Daddy, an electrical engineer, and for the grace of god that I was born curious. Foreign country or not (and you can't discount how big a difference that makes - even if the foreign country speaks your language), I'm fortunate that I know enough about electricity, plumbing, and (very) basic building construction to suspect when something isn't right, or safe. Lebovitz was not so blessed and neither was his partner, although he was at least Parisian, and so was able to bridge the language - and sometimes the cultural - gaps, as well as throw well timed fits of temper. But even so, what happens, what they end up with... nope. Still no words. I cannot imagine what I'd have done in his shoes, but it probably would have been neither legal or sane.

It ends well enough, but, though he doesn't give any real figures, one has to assume he had a shit ton of money somewhere because by my rough reckoning, that renovation cost him more than 3 times the original budget.

Throughout this nightmare, he does paint a vivid and gorgeous picture of Paris markets and food, both of which, from what I read here, are better experienced as a tourist. And most of the chapters end with a recipe; some easy, and some for the experienced baker. At some point in the future I'll be giving his Swedish meatball recipe a shot.

And Swedish meatballs leads me to this final thought: there is nothing on this earth that would ever compel me to stand in line for 4 1/2 freaking hours in Ikea. Nothing. Not if the kitchen cabinets were made of solid mahogany and gilded in solid gold. Omg...4.5 hours in Ikea...

[gincam · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As his life in Paris continues to unfold, world-renowned chef David Lebovitz discovers that living in his adopted country of France requires not only learning how the French think, but thinking like a Frenchman himself. He details his trials and tribulations, along with humor and acquired patience and acceptance in “L'Appart: The Delights and Disasters of Making My Paris Home”. Seeking to renovate his apartment and create his dream kitchen finds encounters with local bakers, chocolatiers, and fresh market sellers giving way to negotiations with building codes and contractors. Interspersed with his adventures are delicious recipes (with helpful index) such as these: Cherry Flan; Bacon-Green Pea and Tarragon Quiche; Swedish Meatballs; Lemon-Yogurt Cake; Chocolate Soufflé; Mojito Sorbet; Buckwheat Chocolate Chip Cookies; and Swiss Chard Gratin. While it took Lebovitz several years to fully recover from his experiences, he states that in the end, “L’appart”, renewed his Francophile status, and he is fulfilled by his instinctive life choices. The following quote from the author himself paints a telling picture: “Lastly, the story and descriptions are of a certain time in Paris. Paris changes frequently, so some of the incidents, social and business customs, and places mentioned in the book may not be the same as they are today.”

Book Copy Gratis via Blogging for Books

[rakerman_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

It is what it says on the cover: the story of buying a house in Paris. Unfortunately, unlike in the previous book The Sweet Life in Paris which was entertaining, it turns out that house buying in France is complicated and tedious and frustrating, which doesn't make for a particularly humourous or uplifting tale.

[kerns222 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Easy read with hints on apartment hunting in Paris. Tips on survival. Tips on buying veggies and meat. Amusing. And many cooking/baking adventures with recipes. I skipped those.

[deborahk_44 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

David Lebovitz, I love you! Otherwise I would never have slogged through your book about buying and renovating a home in Paris. We all have had nightmares with contractors, this is not good reading material. You need something juicy, not painful details of being ripped off, that has happened to me and I don't like thinking about it. Somehow I cared about Lebovitz enough to finish the book. I am such a fan, the man taught me how to bake and it's something I pride myself on. Thank you David but next time you try a memoir, make sure something interesting happens. Happy your place turned out well. Keep writing -- cookbooks!

[juliecracchiolo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love to cook, especially bake. And I love to read recipes, especially desserts. When I can combine my love of baking with my love of reading by reading about chefs and their cooking, it’s a match made in heaven.

Author David Lebovitz is a cookbook author and expat living in France sine he gave up the restaurant business in the United States in 1999. From the little he described his Paris apartment, it sounds like it was a cozy place, high in the sky. Very romantic, dashing and a charming lifestyle

After 10 years in Paris, Lebovitz decided it was time to make Paris his true home, so he wanted to buy an apartment. I guess here in the States we would call them condos. I’ve bought several homes here in the States, and while I thought the American process was daunting, it is easy-peasy compared to our French brethren. In France, and much of Europe I understand, there is no MILS system where prospective buyers can access all the available properties in a chosen vicinity. The seller can list with as many, or as few, agents as they desire, asking varying prices for the same piece of property. It’s enough to make a buyer’s head swim. I was really surprised that the buyer must submit to a health physical before the actual purchase can be completed.

Lebovitz must have spent a year trying to find the place he would call home. That was the easy part. Then the renovation was to begin. Lebovitz had his chosen apartment gutted down to the walls in order to create the perfect kitchen and living space.

I can’t really remember where he found the contractor who was to do the renovations, but The Property Brothers, he and his crew weren’t. Sometimes they would work for three or four days in a row; sometimes once a week; sometimes once a month. That was bad enough, but everything they touched was done incorrectly. It was a pure living hell that last about two years.

Eventually, Lebovitz found someone who could do the work correctly and his dream was coming true. I laughed, I cried, I shook my head in wonder and amazement at the hurdles Lebovitz had to jump over. Then I thanked God for American laws. At one point, Lebovitz wanted to sue the first contractor, but a lawyer advised him against it. Not that he wasn’t in the right, but that it would drag through the courts for so many years, that Lebovitz could go broke before the case was settled.

I loved the recipes at the end of each chapter. I copies them and hope to try them soon. The chosen recipes were supposedly reflective of that chapter, but I didn’t often make the correlations, which is the main reason that l’appart: The Delights and Disasters of Making my Paris Home receives 4 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for this review.

[1randal-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lebovitz is an American chef and cookbook author who moved to Paris to advance his career. I have read his previous books, and he is a talented and engaging author. This particular book is about his search for, purchase of, and renovation of a home in Paris. And what a great story it is!
I found myself surprised at the difficulty in even locating a property for sale in Paris (House Hunters International makes it look so easy and fun on TV!). Upon finally finding the property, the author experienced the infamous Paris bureaucracy in the purchase of it. And then, just when you think it should all be smooth sailing, the real trouble begins in the renovation stage!
I cannot believe what Lebovitz went through. His stamina and perseverance are amazing. I am sure that I would have gave up many times, escaping back to the safety of the United States. Kudos to him for his overcoming of all the obstacles thrown at him.
I found the book to be fascinating, and could not put it down. I literally devoured it in two evenings. The author is very engaging, writes extremely well, and manages to keep the reader "pulling for" him. I highly recommend this book, even if it does lay to rest my "House Hunters International" fantasy of moving to France!