When I first arrived in France in the early 1980s, I was a young, struggling, unknown writer and composer. Today, more than 30 years later, I can look back with satisfaction on the considerable progress that I’ve made in one … Read More
I try. I really do. Every morning I promise myself that this will be the day that I finally kick the habit. I’m fine until lunch and can usually get through the afternoon without much trouble, but by the time … Read More
All of us have our own passions and peeves — things we love and things we hate. Personally, I hate it when the ill-conceived suffix “oholic” (or its even-iller-conceived fraternal twin “aholic”) is used to contrive a word for the … Read More
Human cultural history is full of things that can never be killed. The phoenix, The Terminator, Peter Pan, the “Great Wall of China visible from space” story, the mildew behind my toilet… And here in Paris another (and, sadly, non-fictional) … Read More
As we enter 2016, France’s future looks dark. The economy is struggling, unemployment is high, extremists of every stripe are finding wider audiences for their messages of hatred, and the historically unpopular government seems powerless to stop the endless spiral … Read More
’Twas the night before New Year’s, and all through Paree Not a creature was stirring, except for some three Million revelers out for a festive soirée, All waiting for midnight to shout, “Bonne année!” The wife had just tucked in … Read More
Some people think of him as a divine prophet, some think of him as a historical figure, and others only think of him when they hit their thumb with a hammer. But myth or messiah, there’s one thing certain about … Read More
There is nothing whatsoever “ironique” about what happened in Paris on November 13. Or in Beirut on November 12, or Ankara on October 10, to pick just those examples. I certainly have no intention of making light of the attacks … Read More
France in general, and Paris in particular, have long been known as paragons of style and elegance: chic fashions, stately architecture, refined cuisine, debonair poodle trims… And now we even have a high-class e-mail scam. These days malicious spam is … Read More
Even though he hasn’t held public office for more than three years, former President Nicolas Sarkozy still looms large on the political scene in France. This is due to the legacy of his administration, his ongoing leadership of the center-right … Read More
