Official Review: Paris Nights

[kislany]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Paris Nights" by cliff simon with loren stephens.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Paris Nights: My Year at the Moulin Rouge is the hero’s journey of a rebellious young man, Cliff Simon, who moved for a year to Paris to become a dancer at the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret.

Simon was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. In his teens he moved with his family to England to avoid being drafted into the army. Urged and coached by his mother, he spent many hours training to become an Olympic swimmer. He even got as far as being qualified for the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Life, however, had other plans for young Simon. He soon returned to South Africa and enrolled in the army. He ended up doing what his family wanted to avoid at all costs.

A few years later, while he was idly drifting along in life, Simon got the offer of a lifetime: the chance to become a dancer at the world-famous Moulin Rouge in Paris. Taking only a backpack as his companion, he left everything behind and moved to Paris. He was young, ambitious, and instinctively knew that Moulin Rouge would be a stepping-stone for greater things to come.

The book is a memoir of Simon’s adventurous year in Paris mixed with flashbacks of his early years in the turbulent South Africa before and during the apartheid regime. It is a coming of age story; a tale about a young Simon Cliff turning into the man who would conquer Moulin Rouge and then proceed to take Hollywood by storm.

The story is engaging. The personal anecdotes give us a sneak peek into Simon’s rebellious character. Through his eyes we can see South Africa of his youth. At the same time, we can experience the lavish and exotic lifestyle of Moulin Rouge dancers in Paris during the late 1980s: the late-night parties, drunken stupors, and acts of young defiance. We also get a chance to see what goes behind the curtains of such a famous establishment, once home to stars like Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli, Dean Martin, and Tony Curtis.

The book is only 200 pages long, but it feels like a well-crafted adventure novel; at times I would forget that I was reading a non-fiction biography. The author’s descriptions of places, situations, and people are almost poetic. His phrasing often takes a melodious tone. Simon loves the city, loves Moulin Rouge, and loves the life of a dancer. His writing shows his passion and melancholy towards that one year in Paris.

I grew up in the 1980s in Europe, but I have never been to Paris before. This book made me see the city in its entire splendor. I could feel the cobblestone streets of Montmartre; I could imagine the sky turning a soft pink as dawn would inch closer. And I could watch the gendarmes pacing the long street of Champs-Elysées, keeping an eye out for any signs of trouble.

The family photographs included in the book are a nice touch. Here we finally get to meet Simon, his parents, sisters, and his wife. We can even find a few posters of him dancing and acting. For Cliff Simon is, indeed, the famous Ba'al in Stargate SG-1.

When I read a book, my eyes are instinctively searching for problems: disjointed narrative, choppy character development, or even editing gaffes. In this memoir I haven't found any such errors. While the story jumped a few times back and forth between Simon’s time in Paris and his younger years in Johannesburg, it didn’t deter me from following the thread or lose the pace. The transitions were done smoothly. I did find one misplaced quotation mark that was added where it didn't belong, but that was it. I have to give extra kudos to the book editors for doing such a thorough job with keeping the copy clean.

I rate Paris Nights: My Year at the Moulin Rouge 4 out of 4 stars because the memoir is a fun read whether you are a fan of biographies or adventure novels. Simon leads an exciting life in Paris, and the book is full of fast-paced action as a result of his often reckless behavior. You will not get bored even for a second.

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Paris Nights
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Like kislany's review? Post a comment saying so!

[bookiegalke]

reading personal memoirs makes me establish connection with the writer. this writer gives me every reason to want to read this book especially because the writer narrates of his life during the South Africa apartheid regime.

[kislany]

I feel the same, when I read a memoir, I feel closer to the author, I feel like I know him somehow.

[Kelebogile Mbangi]

As a South African, I have to read this. Thanks for the great review.

[kislany]

I think you will enjoy it!

[Kelebogile Mbangi]

I hope so, I'm also interested in his life in Paris. You make it sound so exciting!

[Mercelle]

Sounds like a book that could definitely take me places I've never been.

[kandscreeley]

Wow! I didn't know that's who he was. It sounds like a great adventure. I think it's one that I'll have to look into!

[Donatelloo]

This reminds me of a movie . I can't remember its name but plot was nearly same . Thank you for such a nice review ???

[kislany]

Wow! I didn't know that's who he was. It sounds like a great adventure. I think it's one that I'll have to look into!

Yes, I was quite surprised and delighted when I realized just who the author of the book is!

This reminds me of a movie . I can't remember its name but plot was nearly same . Thank you for such a nice review ???

Thank you!

Sounds like a book that could definitely take me places I've never been.

It definitely will!

[Manang Muyang]

I had the great fortune to visit Paris but it was a short trip that didn't include surveying the night life. Your review beckons to me to read the story of the young Ba'al and to experience the splendor of Moulin Rouge.

[The Researcher]

Books sounds very adventurous and that too in Paris. Will read it. Thanks for sharing your views.

[kislany]

I had the great fortune to visit Paris but it was a short trip that didn't include surveying the night life. Your review beckons to me to read the story of the young Ba'al and to experience the splendor of Moulin Rouge.

I never got to visit Paris, even though I've been living in Europe all my life. Maybe one day...

Books sounds very adventurous and that too in Paris. Will read it. Thanks for sharing your views.

Glad to hear you liked it.

[geoffrey ngoima]

Yeah, I can see why you'd think it's nonfiction, from the way you describe it I thought it was nonfiction too, wasn't it though?
Anyway, great review

[kislany]

Yeah, I can see why you'd think it's nonfiction, from the way you describe it I thought it was nonfiction too, wasn't it though?
Anyway, great review

Yes, it is non-fiction, but the way the author writes the book, it almost seems like an action-packed adventure novel.