El libro esta escrito impecablemente, con un lenguaje ameno y sencillo, a pesar de que la historia esta plagada de terminología egipcia, el escritor se las arregla para que el lector se familiarice a medida que lee con cada palabra nueva; también ayudada de las pequeñas notas al final de cada pagina en donde explica ciertas palabras que puedan aclarar algunas partes del texto, pero debo decir que en algunos casos resultaban por completo innecesarias, porque el sentido de la oración estaba claro. La novela esta estructurada en dos partes: El Elegido de Sejmet y La Conjura del Faraón. En la primera, se narra la primera parte de la vida de Nefermaat, nuestro protagonista y quien de niño ve como su madre al morir es suplantada por otra mujer perversa que no esconde su antipatía por el y le hace la vida imposible dentro del palacio, sin embargo nuestro chiquillo ve su vida cambiar gracias a Iroy, se convierte en un padre para él, animándole e instruyendole en el arte de la medicina egipcia. Es el mismo Iroy quien notifica a Nefermaat que la Diosa Sejmet le ha elegido para servirle como Sacerdote Sunu y medico. Siendo así, como este se embarca en un viaje que lo llevara al templo en donde aprenderá el oficio, y finalmente será Anón quien le enseñara los secretos que convertiran a Nefermaat en el medico de la corte egipcia, para el que los secretos de la medicina no existe. Durante la segunda parte de la novela, se desarrolla la etapa más delicada de la novela, en esta Nefermaat, irrumpe en la corte egipcia, despertando los celos, las pasiones, el amor y la traición. El joven sacerdote, aun inocente de corazón no logra identificar las señales que lo llevan a ser parte de una terrible Conjura en contra del faraón Ramses III, por ello pierde el amor de única mujer que anhela y su vida se vuelve aun más miserable al ser despojado de su dignidad y su arte medicinal. Sin duda, el cuadro de personajes que nos presenta el autor, durante todo el libro, es quizás uno de los puntos más resaltantes de la novela, todos ellos están muy bien definidos y detallados, el escritor los crea de una forma original, por lo que leer la interacción de estos es una delicia. Las mujeres que componen la historia, son espectaculares e imposibles de describirlas en su totalidad, solo puedo decir que son parte fundamental del libro. Una de las partes más atractivas del libro radica en como el escritor incorpora, parte de las practicas medicas utilizadas en la época así como la preparación de los sacerdotes y diversas practicas de la cotidianidad, muy recurrentes en este periodo del Antiguo Egipto. Nefermaat, me ha encantado, es un personaje sumamente atractivo, con cualidades como la nobleza, la inocencia y entrega que lo hacen especial y débil en el mundo corrompido en donde se desenvuelve. A pesar de eso y de todo lo que sufre, mantiene su esencia y su sentido del orgullo. Lográ a pesar de todo superar cada obstáculo. Para finalizar, creo que esta novela es una de las pocas que he visto que ha conseguido atraparme en sus paginas, sin duda se debe a su originalidad y fascinante contexto egipcio. Y es embriagante leer cada pagina de una historia asombrosa como la del joven medico Nefermaat. Sebastian Mera 51 7

Tengo un problema con este libro y es que es una excelente novela histórica pero no me gusto tanto, dos cosas de este libro es que aprendí muchísimo de la cultura y sociedad egipcia que es una de mis culturas antiguas favoritas, la historia de el protagonista no se me hizo memorable solo al final que el libro se puso interesante, pero se me hizo muy pesado de acabar, las ultimas 100 paginas fueron las mejores porque los hechos se contaron de una forma mas rápida pero al principio fue un libro bastante lento. Siento quizás que al ser una novela histórica la trama también se puede encontrar un poco atada y es por eso que digo que como novela histórica es definitivamente una joya como ninguna otra que trata la mitología egipcia pero se me hizo muy pesada de leer. Antonio Cabanas8 1 follower

Un mosaico pleno de aromas situado en las tierras del Nilo que enamorará al lector y le hará desear que el relato no termine nunca. Nefermmat, nacido y criado en la corte del faraón, será testigo y víctima de una conjura urdida en palacio que le llevará a situaciones sorprendentes. Bajo la protección de la diosa Sejmet se convertirá en un médico afamado. Gracias a sus estudios y los conocimientos de Anon, un hombre peculiar y sabio. Conseguirá aliviar los dolores de los más altos dignatarios. Pero el amor y la rectitud de su corazón le arrastrarán al exilio y casi a la muerte.
Glo1 review1 follower

Excelente libro, lo recomiendo ampliamente Gerardo Fernandez8

Junto con "El ladrón de tumbas", considero que son los dos mejores libros de Antonio Cabanas. Lleno de aventuras e intrigas en el antiguo Egipto. RachelAuthor 2 books3

Una novelaza, lo mejor fue la cara que se me quedó con las sorpresas... Recomendadísimo el libro y el autor. Es genial escribiendo sobre Egipto. Sheva Torres 7 3

Esta es una novela que recomendaría a todos los apasionados de la civilización egipcia; desde las primeras páginas se nota lo bien documentada que está. Sin embargo creo que para aquellos que no conocen demasiado sobre su historia, es probable que se saturen con tanta información sobre su jerarquía, arte, dioses, etc. Además algunas de las descripciones son más propias de un manual de historia que de una novela. Por otra parte destaco a su protagonista; ya que pocos se han ganado tan rápidamente mi simpatía. Su trama me pareció un poco irregular: hubo momentos en los que consiguió captar toda mi atención y otros en los que me resultó un poco tediosa, sobre todo en parte del nudo hasta llegar al desenlace. Antonio B guillén9 Read

Great novel with many details about the Egyptian ancient times, the description about the culture and way of living is impressive and took me many times to the times of pharaons and mummies Nyra137 26

ABSOLUTAMENTE RECOMENDABLE. UNA DE LAS MEJORES NOVELAS HISTÓRICAS QUE HE LEÍDO ESTE AÑOhistórico mis-favoritos Marijo Álvarez 70 7

Reading a fellow bookstagrammer's debut novel comes with a lot of anticipation and a certain amount of trepidation - what if I don't it? How do I review it? Do I say nothing?!

I need not have had any such concerns when it comes to Last Chance in Paris, the debut novel from Lynda Marron who books on Instagram as @sultanabun with an eloquence and thoughtfulness that offer the reader an insight into what she is as a novelist.

In Last Chance in Paris, we meet Ronan and Claire, a young Cork couple in desperate need of reviving their flagging marriage, Harry, a hotshot American film producer with a chequered love life and a heart full of regret, Yeva, a young Ukrainian refugee struggling with life in a new city, and Mireille, a widowed French woman with a determination to confront the past. All paths converge in Paris, by the Seine, at Pere Lachaise cemetery, Sacre Coeur and many other iconic French landmarks.

I was reminded early on of French writer Valérie Perrin, so you can imagine the smile on my face when her name popped up. Last Chance in Paris is tender, romantic, poignant, sentimental in parts but never overly so, and so full of love, but if I had to describe it in one word it would be life-affirming (tears were shed). If you love a well-written story that wraps its arms around you, this one is for you. Maeve Binchy meets Valerie Perrin on the Left Bank! 4-4.5 stars

*Many thanks to @sultanabun @eriubooks for the arc via @netgalley. I have this book pre-ordered but couldn't resist an early read. Last Chance in Paris will be published on 8 February and will make the perfect Valentine's Day/Mother's Day gift to yourself, your mum, your partner, your best friend. As always, this is an honest review.11 s1 comment Mairead Hearne (swirlandthread.com)1,023 82

Last Chance in Paris by Lynda Marron publishes February 8th with Eriu Books (Bonnier) and is described by Deirdre Nolan (Eriu) in The Bookseller as ‘a moving, uplifting tale that will delight readers.’

If you are on Instagram you probably already follow Lynda Marron under her alter ego @sultanabun and if you don’t, I recommend you do today. Simply put Lynda Marron has a way with words that draws the reader in. In her own book Lynda speaks in an almost poetic language hypnotising everyone with her glorious and visual descriptions. She brings us into her home and her garden with beautiful snippets from the humdrum of the everyday, tempting us all and drawing us into her web. Lynda creates gorgeous scenes, some poignant, some happy, others beguiling but all with one thread in common, Lynda’s magic touch.

Last Chance in Paris is a story of love, grief, redemption and second chances. While it is primarily about a married couple from Cork who take a trip to Paris, it is also so much more. Claire and Ronan are struggling, with their marriage faltering in front of their eyes. After suffering a traumatic event, Ronan suggests a trip to Paris, a chance for them to regroup and perhaps rediscover the love that brought them together in the first place. Claire tentatively agrees but is on edge from the beginning. She is very much aware that she is not the same person that Ronan fell in love with and feels hollow inside. Ronan is trying hard to salvage their marriage but is grappling with even the smallest action. He is aware that Claire is tormented in her thoughts but he is determined that this trip will provide the much needed balm for both their hearts and minds.

Harrison D. Carter is a Hollywood producer with a string of successful movies under his belt but, even with all his successes, Harry is discontented. Fully aware of the trail of devastation he has left in his wake, he now looks back and sees the error of his ways. A trip to Paris, enroute home to The States, awakens something in Harry and a soul-searching journey begins. Harry has bridges to mend but will this trip to the City of Love provide him with a way forward, a path to redemption perhaps?

Dan is a law student working in Paris on a study break. His time in the city is almost up but Dan has fallen in love with more than just Paris and he has life-changing decisions to make.

Mireille Delassus is now in her seventies and has lived in Dijon for all of her married life. Her husband Rémy passed away sometime previously and Mireille is packing her bag to head off on a journey that could potentially reframe her future. Taking the train to Paris, Mireille has an appointment to keep but she is nervous of what lies ahead. She feels old and foolish but yet, she is a determined individual who decides that this really is a now or never chance at a second opportunity in life. Paris awaits Mireille but will she find what she is looking for?

Yeva is a young teenage Ukrainian who has been forced by the war unfolding in her homeland to flee to Paris. With her younger sister to care for, Yeva spends her days foraging for money and food in anyway she possibly can. They are hungry, tired and missing their papa but Yeva intends to fulfil the side of the deal she made with her father, who remained in Ukraine. She will keep them safe and will search for him until he comes to collect them.

Lynda weaves the lives of all these characters around the sights, sound and smells of Paris with an authenticity that immerses the reader from the very beginning. many of you I’m sure, I have been to Paris but now I have such an urge to go back there and do it differently. I want to drink Armagnac at 3pm in the afternoon and later I want to sit on the steps of Montmartre and watch the lights of the city sparkle in the night sky. I want to follow in the footsteps of Hemingway and dine at La Closerie des Lilas. I want to sit in the Jardin du Luxembourg eating wraps and drinking a coffee. I really want to recreate the trip that Lynda portrays (but obviously without all the dramas that unfold!).

In The Bookseller Lynda describes the origin story behind Last Chance in Paris giving the reader a brief insight into her life and how our paths can change from what we initially plan but somehow we get there in the end:

“The story of writing this novel began 20 years ago with a Moleskine notebook inscribed with the words ’For when I take you to Paris’. Somehow, life led me up one unly boulevard after another until that notebook was filled and transformed into a novel that felt it was always meant to be. What a joy it was, then, to meet Deirdre Nolan and discover a publisher who loved my characters from the word go, and understood how to protect the heart of the book. I’m over the moon to see Last Chance in Paris published by Eriu, and I can’t wait to make readers a part of the story.”

Last Chance in Paris is a picturesque, vibrant, atmospheric and poignant debut with wonderful characters, all beautifully depicted. With thought-provoking quotes from famous writers Gertrude Stein, James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, and more, littered throughout, it is clear the passion that Lynda has for her art. Don’t be fooled by the cover in thinking that this is a very light-hearted read as it is so much more than that. There are many themes raised, all handled with an expertise and sensitivity, in particular Ronan and Claires story (and if you read the acknowledgements you will see that this book is very personal to Lynda).

Overflowing with visual descriptions of Paris, a city that has had a hold on many with an artistic temperament for centuries, Lynda Marron has written a charming and eloquent novel. Last Chance in Paris is quite simply gorgeous, the balm we all need in these days of chaos. Highly recommend so get those pre-orders in now!4 s Honestmamreader411 16 Read

I don't know why but for some reason I thought this book was going to be a nice easy fluffy read. Predictable at all points and I'd go along for the journey. A palette cleanser of a book. Boy was I blinking wrong. At all costs this isn't a fluffy read.

Last Chance In Paris is a story which mainly follows Claire and Ronan as they go on a city break to Paris. We get to share their experiences in the city of love. And, we also learn of the heartbreak that they have endured in the past. Check for trigger warnings before reading this story, I'm sure elements of Claire and Ronan's tale could be a tough read for some.

Interspersed within Claire and Ronan's story are the other characters that are in Paris too. Harry, a hot shot producer. Dan, a student outliving his time in Paris, Mirelle, an elderly lady with a past. And two Ukrainian sisters who have landed in Paris.

"I’ve always believed that certain places are magnets and draw you towards them should you happen to walk within their radius."

Lynda Marron writes a beautiful tale, bringing these characters together. I loved the whole element of fate that weaves its way through the story. It's enchanting

My main draw towards this book was the setting. I absolutely love Paris. And Marron captures everything that I love about Paris is the narrative.

"But that you belonged to Paris, that the city owned a tiny part of you and the same tiny part of every other soul sitting on those steps, mesmerised."

Last Chance In Paris was one of those books that surprised me. I didn't expect to be pulled into the narrative with such emotion, I found myself crying at the stories. I was well and truly invested in the lives of the characters.

"It’s better for your heart to harbour one impossible desire than none at all."4 s Trish at Between My Lines1,106 313

This books flows over with regrets, grief, love, and basically life with its wild swings from elation to despair. And all set to the beat of a busting Paris backdrop. We meet a mixed assortment of characters all in Paris at the same time, and all at pivotal moments in their lives.

- A young married couple from Cork whose marriage is in jeopardy
- A middle aged man whose life is not what he wanted
- An older woman on a clandestine meeting
- A young Ukrainian woman and her sister seeking refuge

By the end of the book, I felt a kinship with the characters. Because grief is universal and some parts hit home very close to me. My heart shattered and healed as I read. But it’s not a sad book, it’s fast moving, witty, whimsical at times, and very life affirming.

The Paris landmarks were another character. Distinct and artistic and bohemian, they made me want to book a flight. And maybe I will!

A very charming debut novel and I’ll look forward to more from Lynda Marron. There is definitely potential for another book about some of these characters too.4 s Veronica ??1,109 259

Last Chance in Paris is a poignant and heartfelt story of past regrets and new beginnings.

Told through multiple points of view, Marron’s lyrical prose and unique writing style build empathy for her large cast of characters. The reader is introduced to people who are broken and looking to time in Paris, the city of love, to find purpose again and a desire to move forward and find meaning again.

Last Chance in Paris is a story of love; new love, fragile love, old love and unrequited-love. A chance for reconciliations and new beginnings.
A young couple hoping to save their marriage, a widow mourning a lost love and ready to uncover a long-held secret, an old man filled with regret looking for forgiveness and two young refugees just scraping by on the streets of Paris. Each of the characters' lives intertwined and touched each other in deep and often unnoticed ways, over one weekend in Paris.

Last Chance in Paris is a beautiful showcasing of the city of Paris as the characters visit landmarks and restaurants.

Heartfelt but not heartbreaking, Lynda Marron always gives the impression that her characters are slowly moving forward. I became totally invested in the lives of the characters. This is a book you will think about long after you’ve turned the last page.2024 echo3 s Annie Books155 21



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Reading.
That’s how you know you’re still alive.
Sigh.

Absolutely brilliant.
Loved it!
An astonishing debut novel
From the very first paragraph I was hooked.

Claire, so relatable. I felt I was instantly inside her mind, how she compares the spaces she inhabits to other women, her guilt nerve, her vulnerability..

All those carefully, sensitively drawn characters and their stories intersecting….so clever, so engaging.

Little moments of humanity, kindnesses, pain, but darkness too.
And loss.
Grief.
Life lived and life still living.
Thoughts shared or kept hidden in the locked cage of the mind.
Memories and lives inter-connecting.

I’m such an emotional reader and this book had so many of those gasp moments where I stop in mid sentence and admire the author’s perceptive observations of us weird and complicated and imperfect humans and I’d sigh again and marvel and say oh that is so good, so so good.

I could quote many lines that resonated, made me laugh, cry, or stop in wonder but, this last wee while has had me diving deep into my dwindling personal resilience reserves, it’s this one that gets me the most

“The ability to adapt to random shite is the human superpower.”

A beautiful, elegant, life-affirming, joyous novel.
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3 s1 comment Jacki (Julia Flyte)1,312 194

What a treat it was to read Last Chance in Paris. It might be a debut, but as soon as I started reading it I had that feeling of relief that I was in good hands. You know what I mean? I knew that I was going to these characters and I could trust that if anything bad was going to happen, that there would also be an element of humour to get me through. And I was 100% right.

The plot is structured somewhat a Richard Curtis film, moving between several disparate people whose connection is that they are all in Paris at the same time. Claire and Ronan are grieving after a family tragedy. Harry is a successful Hollywood director who’s weighing up the mistakes he’s made in his life. Dan has been living in Paris but needs to return to the US for his studies. Olena is a homeless Ukranian refugee. Mireille is a widow from Dijon who is travelling to Paris for a very special reunion.

Over the next few days as they intersect at various times, they will all have an impact – sometimes large, sometimes small – on one another. It’s an endearing reminder that we are all connected on this planet and that we have the ability to make one another’s paths that little bit easier.

Oh and did I mention that it’s set in PARIS? In fact Paris is practically a character – Père Lachaise Cemetery, Shakespeare & Co, Sacre Coeur Basilica and Notre Dame Cathedral all feature prominently.

So in short: this is a lovely read. It’s warm hearted, and although sad things do happen at times, overall it’s the kind of book that just makes you feel good.
2 s Anne Marie25

I found this book was a little bit overly complex in terms of the number of story threads and therefore didn't get the depth or clarity in all of the characters. I thought the main storyline with the stillbirth was absolutely beautifully written. I have experienced similar myself and I am sick of the same old tropes. This was written with empathy, compassion and a real understanding of the love and the pain of losing a baby. Overall a beautiful first book.This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.Show full review2 s Miriam Smith (A Mother’s Musings)1,642 253

For some reason I had it in my mind, that this was to be a gentle rom-com novel. However, I soon realised that the aptly named “Last Chance in Paris” was a powerful, poignant and a profoundly emotional story, that hooked my heart from the very first page.

I loved all of the characters, each with a special back story that brings them to Paris, all for different reasons. How they all unknowingly interconnected with each other was exceedingly clever and displayed a very talented author to be able to create such seamless relationships. Grief, pain, love, lost years and displacement through war, all featured within the characters lives and created for me, an instant affinity with them. There are a few emotional triggers that may affect some readers but are conducive to the reason why the characters are included in the story and these are handled with care and respect.

As I turned the final page, I gave a huge heartfelt sigh for this beautiful novel, feeling happy sadness but also bereft that the story had finished and to how one of the character’s story ended.

I had to take a long pause before picking up another book to read, to give this book the respect it deserved. I really did enjoy “Last Chance in Paris” and I’d happily recommend it, you won’t be disappointed.

#LastChanceInParis - ??????????
blog-tour review-books2 s Laura King201 29

Ideal holiday read (but only if you're able to hold back tears in public places)2 s Martha.O.S189 2

This book, which I won in an instagram giveaway by the author herself, (@sultanabun) was a really engaging and wonderful read. Set in Paris over the course of a few days, it brings together the stories of different people travelling there, and links them all through chance meetings and serendipitous events, showing how interconnected our lives are, and how the kindness of strangers can be so impactful.

Clare and Ronan, a young couple whose marriage is in strife following a traumatic loss, visit Paris to see if they can salvage their relationship and rekindle their love. There at the same time are movie producer Harry, Bostonian law-student, Dan, a pair of Ukrainian sisters, and a woman in her 70’s on a defining trip to meet someone very special for the first time. Marron so skilfully weaves these characters together in a narrative web that is beautiful, touching, whimsical and poignant. And in doing so, she brings us on a magical trip to Paris.

Paris is so special to me, a place that first kindled my love of French and all things French, and later where I got engaged, it was so lovely to revisit it through these characters. While the places were brought to life, especially my favourite Shakespeare and Co, the atmosphere was captured beautifully and I felt I was there again. Paris is wonderfully evoked through the senses, the beautiful Sacre Coeur rising over the skyline, the noisy bustle of the gare of Saint Denis, the scents, lavender worn by Mireille, the tastes, warm spicy wraps bought from the street vendors, and the many touches, one being Clare and Harry, two perfect strangers sharing a dance.

As the stories of these characters emerge, especially the most heartbreaking loss that Clare and Ronan recently suffered, we get a great insight into their humanity and all of our shared vulnerabilities. Different things have brought them to Paris, and each is on their own trajectory. Yet, as they cross paths over this weekend, often in the briefest of moments, we see how everything matters. Often it is the kindness of a stranger, the chance meetings as we go about our days that can impact us most, and Marron captures this beautifully.

I loved the bits of French interspersed through the novel, and especially the French quotes at the start of some chapters. I also loved the book references throughout, clearly written by a book lover! I loved how Paris was captured so beautifully but most of all I loved how this book is full of hope, how these, often brief human connections are enough to keep us going, how somehow there is a greater power determining our lives and surrendering to this rather than being something constraining, can be very liberating and awaken us to all sorts of possibilities, how a conker, itself the seed of possibility, can be the tangible seed of hope that we find when we most need it.

This was a great read and the style reminded me a lot of Maeve Binchy, in the author’s ability to connect all the characters in a well-plotted narrative and in her way with words. I enjoyed reading it as part of the @anotherchapter.podcast readalong and the chats with other readers. Thanks again to the author, Lynda Marron for the prize, this beautiful book and the other Parisian souvenirs. And the conker!
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