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Vidalia In Paris (2008)

by Sasha Watson(Favorite Author)

2.96 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0670010944 (ISBN13: 9780670010943)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Viking Juvenile

review 1: 9-14 Vidalia won a scholarship to study art in Paris over the summer w other students. When she landed, she was greeted by her host father and his daughter. They were going to be helping her get around and letting her stay at their place. To her surprise, the Dubois family weren't as warm and welcoming as she has expected. She ate dinner with them and made small talk, but as soon as she got to her room, she went to sleep. I think Vidalia is jumping to conclusions with the Dubois because she had just got there, and she really didn't try to get to know them. the Dubois seem just as nervous as her about this whole summer. I think they don't want to be too affectionate because the don't want to creep her out or make her uncomfortable. Vidalia is nervous, but it will get bet... moreter. Vidalia should just open up a little and maybe things will go better.9-15 Vidalia started her first day in her art class, and it didn't go very well. She came in late which didn't make the professor too happy. She also spilled paint and was told to sketch the rest of the class. After class and lunch, she called her mother, who suggested she go to an English bookstore close by. She agreed and went. While she was there, she met a librarian named Julien who invited her to come to a poetry reading, and Vidalia agreed to stop by. I think Vidalia's art class is going to get better. It was probably because she was late that nothing really went to well. On the other hand, I think Julien is interested in Vidalia. He exchanged jokes with her and invited her to the reading without even really knowing her. Vidalia is probably interested in him too since she was fairly excited that they made the smallest exchange. 9-16 After visiting the bookstore, Vidalia found her way to the campus where all the other students in her program are in for her afternoon art history class. She had that class with her friend Becky, which made her a little less nervous after making a bad impression in her first class. The class went smoothly and the teacher, Madame Zafar, actually seemed to like Vidalia. Straight after class, Becky invited Vidalia to come to Avignon w/ her and Heather, but she refused considering she had to go to the poetry reading. Becky and even heather were surprised to hear that Vidalia was already getting attention from guys, but Vidalia didn't see it that way. I feel like Vidalia is opening up more. She should've made plans with Becky and Heather some other time instead of completely declining them. I mean she is going to be in Paris for a while, so she might as well have some fun with friends. I definitely think that her and Julien are going to have a lot of chemistry later on in the story. Its obvious that she might be interested since she didn't turn down the offer to go to the reading. She also refused to do anything else that night but go to the reading.9-17 At the poetry reading, Vidalia had trouble paying any attention to the actual show. After the show, her and Julien made small talk. Vidalia was surprised at how easy it was to talk to him. Around nine thirty she had gotten back to the apartment where the Dubois were waiting for her with an unexpected guest. He was around Vidalia's age, his name was Marco. Marco asked a lot of questions and made many remarks that Vidalia didn't really like. After just one conversation, she was sure she didn't like Marco at all. I think Vidalia didn't like Marco because he wasn't as gullible as everyone else was about her lie. She told everyone about how her mother owns an art gallery, and the Dubois believed her. It wasn't fooling marco though. The way Marco spoke and smiled mockingly at her almost made it seem like he knew she was lying. I think Vidalia was just afraid of how blunt Marco came off to be.9-18 In art class, it didn't go so well again. Vidalia let her creativity get the best of her, and Monsieur Benoit wasn't pleased. He scowled at her sketch of the naked woman in the front of the room and insulted it. On the bright side, Marco had stopped by the American Institute and invited her to a gallery. He said he doesn't know too many people who like art, so Vidalia would make good company since she likes art. She agreed, surprised at how nice Marco actually is. Marco went out of his way to come and pick up Vidalia without even knowing if shed want to go with him. I think this shows that Marco must be obviously interested in her. The way he made eye contact with her while their faces were so close showed a little bit of romance. I don't think Vidalia has notice this interest, but she most likely will.10-3 After art history, Madame Zafar asked Vidalia to stay because she needed to speak with her. Thinking it was just going to be about her missing assignment, Vidalia waited nervously. It turned out to be that Madam Zafar had noticed Heather had been a little upset lately, and she wanted Vidalia, who knows her from home, to check up on her. Vidalia tried to explain that her and Heather weren't really the best of friends, but she insisted that she'd at least try. In the courtyard, Vidalia uncomfortably attempted to be friendly with Heather, asked if she was alright and said that if she needed anything she could call her. Heather was just as uncomfortable. After that, Vidalia went off to find a dress for the party Marco had invited her to. She found just the perfect one that Marco seemed to be very fond of. The dress was expensive though, but Marco said he would pay for it. Ignoring what her mother had said about not accepting expensive gifts from men, she agreed. They then went to a beauty salon and she decided to drastically change her hair style. she cut all of it off. I think Madame Zafar knows that Vidalia and Heather aren't very close anymore, but she wants them to become close again. That's why she sent Vidalia to go try to talk to her instead of Becky or anyone else who got along with Heather. I feel like although it was an awkward situation, Heather will take Vidalia seriously and call her when she needs someone to talk to or something. On the other hand, I'm kind of glad that Vidalia cut her hair so differently because I think she needed a little change in her life. Maybe her haircut will make her more spontaneous and happy since her life at home is more or less dull and unexciting.10-4 While Vidalia was walking home she got a call from an unknown number. It was Heather, she sounded like she had been crying, and she asked to meet. Vidalia was surprised, but she did so. When she got there Heather looked like she had been crying for a really long time. She asked what was wrong and Heather explained that she doesn't really know. She had just been feeling really down ever since she got to Paris for no reason at all. Vidalia tried to get her mid off things by talking about school and asking her how all her classes were going. After making sure Heather was okay, Vidalia went home and began to get ready for the party. She put her dress on, fixed her hair and make up, but still had time to kill. She decided to call her mother. She seemed to be in a really good mood and was eager to speak to her. They had a long talk about what shed been doing while Vidalia was gone and how Vidalia was doing. Vidalia told her mother about Marco, but didn't mention her staying for an extra 2 weeks to go to Italy with him. I think the whole conversation Vidalia and Heather had is going to spark their friendship. Although it wasn't really emotional or anything, Heather must have appreciated Vidalia being there for her when she needed someone. They'll probably become friends again. Also Vidalia should tell her mother about her staying in France a little longer sooner. I know she doesn't want to alarm her but its better to tell her now than too wait until its too late and she refuses to let her stay.10-8 After talking to her mom, Vidalia decided to make her way to her and Marco's meeting spot to go to the party. When they met up, Marco reminded Vidalia of the plan. Knowing that she'd be with Marco, Vidalia wasn't even afraid. They got into the party and hung out for a little bit until it was time to go with the plan. They'd pretend to go to the bathroom and instead go into the room where the paintings were and take a couple. Vidalia would be doing this on her own for the first time, yet she felt as if nothing could go wrong. I think Marco has taken a really big role in Vidalia's life because he has began to change her. At first, she was guilty and felt bad about stealing one painting, and now she steals several with no hesitation. She's even second guessing going to college because she now feels it's not that important since Marco is good without it. I think Vidalia is letting Marco change her for the worst. They'll probably face some trouble.10-9 When Vidalia was on her way to the room where the painting was, she heard voices in one of the rooms. As she listened she could hear two women speaking about the party. She heard that one of the women was the hostess of the party herself, Marie Cartier. She seemed to be very upset about how her father wasn't here with her anymore. When Vidalia heard this she couldn't help but feel jealous of her. As she held the painting in her hands, she thought about how awful Marie would feel, and she just couldn't steal from her. She left the painting and went back to Marco empty handed. As they were leaving, Vidalia noticed Monsieur Dubois who was also Marie's partner. Shocked and scared, Vidalia rushed out of the party with Marco at her side. I think Vidalia did the right thing by not stealing the painting. It really isn't like her at all to be able to steal things and not feel anything. I think that even if Marco is changing her state of mind on some things he still cant fully control her and how she feels. I think Vidalia is also finding out why the Dubois are so distant from her and each other. Madame Dubois probably knows about her husbands affair but cant say anything because of Clara.10-11 On that Monday, Vidalia was still shaken. She couldn't get her mind off Monsieur Dubois, Marie Catier or Marco. When she began to paint though, she was able to relax her mind and focus on her painting. After art history Madame Zafar told Vidalia that Heather had a breakdown. She hadn't come home that Friday night that they spoke, and she was now in a medical clinic. She said she wanted to see Vidilia. Heather was pretty banged up when Vidalia went to see her. She could tell that she was tired and weary. Heather told her that the scratches on her arm were nothing but cuts she made her self and not a suicide attempt. she had asked Vidalia to come and no one else because she was the only person who she wouldn't feel weird around. I think Heather actually wants to have a new friendship with Vidalia. She must care in some way if the only person from school she wanted to see was Vidalia and no one else. I think Heather probably trusts Vidalia as much as she used to when she was little. They have an ever lasting bond although it might've faded.10-12 When Vidalia came home, the Dubois were home from the country. Madame said that Monseiour Dubois would be coming home that night, which made Vidalia kind of nervous. The next morning he didn't seem to recognize Vidalia from the party. That morning Vidalia was eexcused from art history to go and visit Heather with her parents. On her way there her mother called crying because she had gotten a piece of glass stuck in her hand, and she couldn't go to the hospital. Since it was and emergency, she called aunt pat who told her her mothers mental health was very bad. I think Vidalia's going to have to confront Monseiour Dubois about what she saw on Friday. Shell have to probably give him and explination to why she was there but it's better than being confused. Her mom on the other hand is obviously not mentally stable. Vidalia should've stopped ignoring the problem and dealt with it before she left to Paris.10-13 Vidalia made sure her mom was ok and went on to the clinic. When she got there Heather's parents still hadn't arrived. When they did they greeted both Vidalia and Heather warmly. They all went to lunch after discharging Heather from the hospital. After lunch Vidalia met up with Marco and all the distance she had been feeling from him went away. He asked to keep one of her sketches of her piece from her art class to put on his wall. After that week, Vidalia decided to stop by the bookstore to visit Julien, but he wasn't there. Margie said he was with his new girlfriend Katarina. I think Marco is going to take Vidalia's painting to sell it instead of keep it to himself. It's not the first time he steals art obviously. On the other hand, due to how Margie was eyeing Vidalia, she probably wanted her to say something about Julien and Katarina. Vidalia had already set things straight with him though, so I don't thing she cares too much.10-14 Vidalia was on her last week of her art class and the painting was finally coming together. Monsieur Benoit even gave her some pointers on how to make the paint compliment the drawing better. After class, she was surprised to see Marco waiting at the Metro for her. He had said he wanted to go to lunch before her next class and asked to see her painting. He was very impressed by it. He convinced her to ditch art history and stay with him at little longer to tell her about his new plan to steal a painting to pay for their whole trip to Italy. I think Vidalia is really learning in her art class eventhough she felt as if she wasn't really meant to be there. After seeing the painting I don't think marco will be able to do anything with it because hes actually proud of Vidalia.10-16 On Friday Vidalia was done with her painting. She went out to lunch with her class mates then went off to art history. Madame Zafar told her that Monsieur Benoit was very impressed by her progress. When she got home, she was alone and Dubois mmysterious brief case was opened in the bedroom. She curiously began to look through it and was surprised to find her sketch she had given marco. Marco was planning to steal the painting from the that same day. She called Julien and told him where shed be, although he wasn't very interested in talking to her. Once her heard how upset she was, he began to worry. I think Vidalia is going to catch Marco stealing her painting with Monsieur Dubois. Shes become very upset. She probably feels as if everything she had with Marco was a lie just to get close to the museum and get information.
review 2: I enjoyed this book for the most part, but was puzzled by some of the choices. The classmate with severe emotional problems did not seem vital to the book, especially since Vidalia already had a mother with severe emotional problems. Her explorations of Paris, and experiences meeting people, were lovely; I sort of wished it was just a novel about an American girl in Paris, sans mental-health issues and possibly sans art theft. I thought, wistfully, that if this book had been written 60 years ago it would have been about Vidalia having a charming romance with Julien (who she meets cute in Shakespeare and Co.), and wistfully saying goodbye to him when she must fly home to New York. Of course that would have been a less interesting book...Possible spoiler for end of book:I was impressed that Vidalia didn't, at the end, realize that everything with Marco was a mistake--that's what I was expecting, but her actual feelings about him were more complicated and more realistic. less

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