| The Shoe Queen |  | Author: Anna Davis
Publisher: Pocket
Category: eBooks
In Stock
Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 88,477
Format: Kindle Book
Media: Kindle Edition
Edition: Original
Pages: 416
Number Of Items: 1
Dewey Decimal Number: 823.92
Publication Date: June 19, 2007
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Product Description
In The Shoe Queen, author Anna Davis immerses readers in the glitter and excitement of 1920's Paris -- where one woman's obsession with shoes leads her into a steamy affair that will make her question what matters most in life.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 11
 Beautiful April 30, 2009
Chiclet (MA)
This book is much different from the style I usually read and I rather liked it. The title and the beautiful cover drew my attention to the book (even though you aren't supposed to judge a book that way!) and I love all things Parisian, so I figured I'd give it a try. I wish I knew more about Bohemian Paris because I think this story would have made more sense if I understood the context.
This book is heavy. The language is no joke and the subject matter has many twist and turns. Just when you think you have the characters figured out, the author throws in another detail that spins the story differently.
While I was reading this book, I kept having flashbacks to Madame Bovary that I read in high school. I think I like this one better, but I kind of got excited that this could be the kind of story reviewed in high schools. It's been a long time since I've read fiction that's come out in recent years that I could see being taught in English class.
 The type of book I hate to hate July 2, 2008
Lehcarjt (N. CA, United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The Shoe Queen is a beautifully written book set in 1920's Paris. The author is a master of word craft. Oddly enough, what I liked most about the book was the structure. I don't usually even notice structure, but it was so well done (mixing the present/past/pov's) that I often couldn't wait to find out where/who/when I would be next. (The chapter that ended with Robert opening the hotel room door and the chapter that started with what he found was absolutely and completely brilliant. I laughed out loud. And it wasn't because of the story. It was how the author wrote it.)
The story is of a young, married girl who is trying to escape the physical and emotional control of her life and find meaning. I really, really wanted to love the story. I couldn't.
There wasn't a single character in the entire book that I liked. I kept hoping that the author would give me something, anything to make Genevieve likable. But even as I came to understand her history and the reasons for her behavior, all I felt was anger. How could anyone be that completely self-centered? I get that that was the point of the book. I just feel like I need to have some relationship or some stakes in the characters so that I care that they change and learn (little as it was).
At the end of the day, I'm not sure I'd really recommend this book. I spent the whole time hoping for something that wasn't there. And while I felt the ending fit the book, I was left disappointed because I just didn't care.
On a different note... I have never been so utterly aware of how ugly my feet are in my life. ~G.
Great Starter, Weak Finisher June 5, 2008
Tamara M. Goldstein (Chicago, Illinois)
I purchased this book as I am a great fan of any work which takes place in Paris. As something of a Francophile, I thought it would be fun reading. There were some interesting tidbits with regard to Paris and we are provided some terrific descriptions of the city in the 20's.
Beginning with the first paragraph, the reader is drawn in to a terrific story. From the onset, one is aware that the seemingly idyllic marriage between Genevieve and Robert is terribly flawed and things are not what they seem. "Vivi" is making an effort to fill her empty life with two things, artistic people and shoes. The shoes seem to be the answer to all that is lacking in her life. She fancies herself as a poet, but in fact, she simply does not have the talent. Therefore she surrounds herself with people who make her feel creative; artists, poets, writers and entertainers, all of whom she looks down upon.
At the center of everything is the relationship she has with the shoe maker and her shoes. A replacement for children, close friends and family. She was raised in the lap of luxury, but tries to live a bohemian lifestyle. For her, it does not work.
While the story remains a "pager turner" throughout most of the book, sadly, with about 20 pages to go, it simply becomes tired. I was not tired of the story, but it seems as though the author suddenly became bored with her own work. The story and writing become sloppy and the very descriptive beginning is forgotten at the end with a rush to the finish. The ending is weak and not well thought out, if not a bit disappointing. I would love to see this book with an ending which follows the rest of the story, rather than an ending which appears to be an afterthought.
 LOVED IT! April 21, 2008
Christina F (Ketchikan, Alaska)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
I'm a fashion student so I'm sucker for anything Paris related. I'm also fasinated by the 20's so this book peeked my interest from the beginning! And, okay the cover is pretty :) I wasn't expecting much but it drew me in instantly and I couldn't put it down until I finished! It turned out to be more than book about a women who loves shoes. It's also about love, lies, betrayal, and all that other good stuff! The descriptions of Paris (and most importantly the shoes!) are amazing. However parts of the book have a lot of hard to pronounce French words that make it hard for non-french speakers to imagine when you don't even know what they mean. Other than that, for the rest of the book you can easily imagine yourself in Paris along side Genevive, going to all the lavish parties, and wearing your own pair of Paolo Zacharis! ... Or at least you wish you were :) Great book!
 The Shoe Queen February 24, 2008
ShoeGoddess (NC)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
When I read this book, it kept making me irritated. By the time I was 3/4 done with the book, I thought I was going to throw it in my fireplace! It was awful. Definitely not my style... But the delivery of the product was fast and the book was in great shape!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 11
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