I Never Saw Paris: A Novel of the Afterlife

By Harry I. Freund

Book Overview

On his way to a department store in Manhattan, 64-year-old businessman, Irving Caldman, is waiting at the intersection of Park Avenue with three other pedestrians, when a driver jumps the curb and runs them all over. The next thing Irving knows, he is no longer preparing for a trip to Paris with his wife. Instead, he is watching four faces as they ascend to heaven, on their way to be greeted by the angel Malakh. Accompanying Irving are an attractive personal shopper in her early fifties; agrandmother who works as a housemaid nearby; a twentysomething man who is an interior decorator; and the driver, a candy store owner and widower. Bound together for a week with Malakh, before their souls will be allowed to move on for judgment, Irving and his fellow victims must all tell the group their life stories, in order to evaluate and justify their earthly existence. As their insecurities and deepest secrets are exposed, they argue at length, and yet come to a strange peace, in this unexpected parable. I Never Saw Paris is a funny, moving, and thought-provoking look at the foibles and follies of an improbable group of New Yorkers.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786720549
• ISBN13: 9780786720545
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: Hachette Books
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.3" x 7.6"

Customer Reviews

An Amazing Portrait of the Afterlife

"I Never Saw Paris" is an unexpectedly profound, creative account of death and the afterlife, as seen through the eyes of a wealthy New York City businessman named Irv who narrates his journey to the "Big Upstairs" and a special judgment we all must face. Irv is unexpectedly whisked "upstairs" due to a bus accident in midtown, along with several other people who are not fundamentally alike and and yet share a special and very believable bond. I found the book refreshing, spiritual and yet hard-edged in a good way. I don't usually read fiction, but this book met my criteria of tight writing (no extra verbiage here), along with suspense and a special kind of compassion. Highly recommended.

I Never Saw Paris

The day started out fairly uneventful. Irving Caldman was slightly irritated that he had to go out of his way to buy even more blue shirts, his wife insisted that he do so because they matched the color of his eyes. Then, while simply waiting on the street corner, everything changed. The ultimate change in fact. Irving Caldman was hit by a car and killed instantly. Still feeling a little miffed, Irving watches the chaos of the scene, the arrival of the emergency vehicles, and the fates of the other victims. Soon enough, an Angel called Malakh calls together the group of two women and three men. Evidentially, they need to get prepared for final judgment. I Never Saw Paris is based upon a really simple but extremely captivating concept. Who doesn't ponder about what happens after death? Who wouldn't get a bit anxious once they realize that the end is here and now or that they have to recall all their best and worst moments? Who wouldn't be a little weary about being called to judgment? Which of the five characters would you most be like? Would you be the religious grandmother who raised her son alone after the tragic death of her husband and other son? Would you be the guilt ridden survivor of the holocaust? Would you be the shopaholic who bought things to make up for a lack of connection? Would you be the self created businessman who used everyone and anyone without a thought? Or would you be the gay man stuck in a life of lies and self judgment?

fabulous parable

In Manhattan, four people wait on the sidewalk for chance to cross Park Ave when a car jumps the curb killing each of them and the driver. The group of strangers consists of sexagenarian businessman Irving Caldman, fifty something personal shopper for the wealthy Clarissa Bowen; grandmother Essie Mae Rowder employed as a housemaid; twentyish interior decorator Brett Taylor; and the driver Mendel Perlow who survived the holocaust to own a New York candy store. Malakh welcomes the group at a heavenly rest stop where he prepares the quintet for their upcoming worthiness before the Judge of the Universe. He orders each to share their life history with the others. At first none of the five are comfortable revealing their inner most fears and desires, but over the course of bickering and fighting, each opens up revealing good and bad memories as a camaraderie forms. This is a fabulous parable with an interesting spin on how heaven works and what it takes to get there as deeds count. The story line focuses on all five recently deceased mortals with Irving as the prime player with his dry assertion that he never saw Paris nor will he at least in that lifetime. Readers will appreciate Harry I. Freund's insightful look at five strangers going through the stages of a group (Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing and Terminating as Malakh moves them on) while also the stages of grief for those they left behind. Harriet Klausner

Brilliant

Harry Freund's latest novel takes place in the mysterious after-life. The after-life has always been an interest of mine and Freund's writing takes this concept to an exciting new level. I Never Saw Paris is the perfect weekend read. I could not put it down. You will find yourself talking about it for months. I highly recommend this book!

A Heavenly Read!!

This is one of the most moving and intriguing books you will ever read. It is a gripping tale of life - and the afterlife - which examines the foibles and failings of human existence with wit, compassion and understanding. It will reshape the way you look at the world as well as your role in it. This is as an absolute MUST read - you won't regret it.