Book Review: Mrs Harris Goes to Paris & Mrs Harris Goes to New York by Paul Gallico

My Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐

I first read Paul Gallico only recently when I picked up the expanded version of his story The Snow Goose which I absolutely loved! My decision to read this book was guided by the fact that I prefer to read the book before watching the movie. These stories are delightful and heart-warming, full of charming characters and enjoyable plotlines full of heart and humor. Originally written in the  1950s-60s, these stories are timeless in their appeal.

The first story, Mrs Harris Goes to Paris revolves around Mrs. Ada Harris, a sixty-ish London charwoman, as she embarks on a quest to purchase a Dior dress after she is enamored with one she sees in a client’s cupboard. The story follows Mrs. Harris’s efforts to scrimp and save for almost three years and then embark on her trip to Paris, where she meets several interesting characters. A thoroughly enjoyable read!

In the second story, Mrs Harris Goes to New York , we catch up with Mrs. Harris after her Paris adventure. In this installment, Mrs. Harris teams up with her friend and neighbor, Mrs. Violet Butterworthwho is employed as a cook and travels to the United States, hoping to reunite an eight-year-old boy who was abandoned by his mother to the care of an abusive family in Mrs. Harris’s neighborhood. The boy’s father, an American serviceman who was stationed in London during WWII, had returned to the U.S. after the war without his wife, who refused to leave with him. We also meet a few familiar faces from the first book in this story. A lovely story that will leave you with a smile on your face and a lump in your throat!

I paired my reading with the wonderful audio narration by Juliet Stevenson which I really enjoyed. I loved Mrs. Harris and was immersed in her adventures. I can’t wait to read the remaining books in this series. These stories are perfect for when you crave a read that will leave you with a smile on your face and a warm, happy feeling in your heart!

“Nothing in life ever was a complete and one hundred per cent success, but often one could well afford to settle for less, and this would seem to be the greatest lesson one could learn in life.” (from Mrs. Harris Goes to New York)