One of our recommended books for 2019 is Vintage 1954 by Antoine Laurain.

VINTAGE 1954


After drinking a bottle of vintage Beaujolais, a group of Parisian neighbours are transported back in time to 1954.

When Hubert Larnaudie invites some fellow residents of his Parisian apartment building to drink an exceptional bottle of 1954 Beaujolais, he has no idea of its special properties. The following morning, Hubert finds himself waking up in 1950s Paris, as do antique restorer Magalie, mixologist Julien, and Airbnb tenant Bob from Milwaukee, who’s on his first trip to Europe.

After their initial shock, the city of Edith Piaf and An American in Paris begins to work its charm on them.

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After drinking a bottle of vintage Beaujolais, a group of Parisian neighbours are transported back in time to 1954.

When Hubert Larnaudie invites some fellow residents of his Parisian apartment building to drink an exceptional bottle of 1954 Beaujolais, he has no idea of its special properties. The following morning, Hubert finds himself waking up in 1950s Paris, as do antique restorer Magalie, mixologist Julien, and Airbnb tenant Bob from Milwaukee, who’s on his first trip to Europe.

After their initial shock, the city of Edith Piaf and An American in Paris begins to work its charm on them. The four delight in getting to know the French capital during this iconic period, whilst also playing with the possibilities that time travel allows. But, ultimately, they need to work out how to get back to 2017. And the key lies in a legendary story and the vineyards of the Chateau St Antoine…

Read our interview with the author on the Reading Group Choices blog!

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  • Gallic Books
  • Paperback
  • June 2019
  • 208 Pages
  • 9781910477670

Buy the Book

$14.95

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About Antoine Laurain

Antoine Laurain is the author of Vintage 1954Antoine Laurain is a novelist, screenwriter, journalist, director and collector of antique keys. He is the author of the best-selling novels The President’s Hat and The Red Notebook.

A truly born and bred Parisian, after studying film, he began his career directing short films and writing screenplays. His passion for art led him to take a job assisting an antiques dealer in Paris. The experience provided the inspiration for his first novel, The Portrait, winner of the Prix Drouot.

Published on the eve of the French presidential elections of 2012, Antoine’s, fairytale-like novel The President’s Hat was acclaimed by critics, readers and booksellers, who awarded it the Prix Landerneau Découvertes. In the UK, it was a Waterstones Book Club and ABA Indies Introduce pick. Unsurprisingly, the novel quickly climbed into a Kindle Top 5 bestseller. This novel, full of Parisian charm, was the winner of the Prix Relay des Voyageurs, a prize which celebrates the enjoyment of reading. Since then, The President’s Hat has been adapted for television in France.

Antoine’s novels have been translated into 14 languages, including Arabic and Korean. Sales of his books across all formats in English have surpassed 155,000 copies.

Praise

“Someone can always come along and make our world a lot more perfect than before. One such is M. Laurain himself, for he really is most readable, warm-hearted and enjoyable.” – The Book Bag

“The very quintessence of French romance…” – The Times

Interviews

Read our interview with Antoine Laurain on the Reading Group Choices blog!