APRIL IN PARIS

This German novel, set in occupied Paris in 1943, is about a German translator who decides to blend in with the French as much as possible. Speaking perfect French, he becomes "Monsieur Antoine" and starts wandering through Paris. When he spots Chantal in a bookstore, he is immediately infatuated and manages to become her lover. Then he finds out that she's a member of the Resistance. Paul Michael reads this book with contrived German and French accents that jar. In addition, the first chapters of the book contain some dialogue in French, which is inaccessible to most listeners. The clunky translation of the novel doesn't help, and while Michael does his best to provide atmosphere, it's hard to suspend disbelief. K.M. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 07]