How did a lousy French student (whom Mme. Cerrutti was compelled by law to pass only because he scored an 80 on the State Regents Exam) become the sophisticated American’s friend in Paris?
In this spirited, anecdote-filled memoir that has its poignant moments we follow Terrance’s life that began in post-war Casablanca, continued in the coal mining country of western Pennsylvania, acquired definition on the streets of Brooklyn, added polish in San Francisco and ultimately ended and restarted in the Paris he was born to inhabit.
The narrative is punctuated by the personal favorites and passions of Gelenter – films, French bistros and cafes, and, not least, his remarkable friends, acquaintances and companions today – the journalists, filmmakers, chefs and authors he had admired from afar but now includes in his circle.
Paris Par Hasard: from Bagels to Brioches – Terrance’s life lived par hasard – is an entertaining look at the author and his vision, and at the Paris he has created for himself and others. It is a book not quickly forgotten.
How did a lousy French student (whom Mme. Cerrutti was compelled by law to pass only because he scored an 80 on the State Regents Exam) become the sophisticated American’s friend in Paris?
In this spirited, anecdote-filled memoir that has its poignant moments we follow Terrance’s life that began in post-war Casablanca, continued in the coal mining country of western Pennsylvania, acquired definition on the streets of Brooklyn, added polish in San Francisco and ultimately ended and restarted in the Paris he was born to inhabit.
The narrative is punctuated by the personal favorites and passions of Gelenter – films, French bistros and cafes, and, not least, his remarkable friends, acquaintances and companions today – the journalists, filmmakers, chefs and authors he had admired from afar but now includes in his circle.
Paris Par Hasard: from Bagels to Brioches – Terrance’s life lived par hasard – is an entertaining look at the author and his vision, and at the Paris he has created for himself and others. It is a book not quickly forgotten.
To paraphrase Woody Allen “a caricature of a caricature-if he didn’t exist we’d have had to invent him.”
Fans and friends of Terrance will not be surprised (or maybe they will) at this breezy and charming memoir, and those who don’t know him will enjoy making a new friend.
–Diane Johnson, Le Divorce
Syndicated film critic, Hispanic media executive and author, Terrance Gelenter has parlayed his passion for Paris into a new chapter in his life. He makes his home in Paris with periodic voyages to New York and San Francisco.
Terrance addressing the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco.
Live with Maribeth Clemente, host(ess) of Bonjour Colorado
If you ever wondered how Terrance Gelenter came to earn the title ‘Mister Paris’, this book will tell you. A ‘grande bouffe’ of gossip, anecdote and revelation. Enjoy!” – John Baxter, author of The Most Beautiful Walk in the World.
Like Paris itself, this compact book is filled with secret streets and splendid boulevards, legend and lore, the present and the past, along with passionate talk at cafe tables, the breeze off a great river, the charm of bookstores, the majesty of galleries and museums, and, of course, the most important of all human emotions: delight. It’s like an evening with M. Gelenter himself, walking, dining, laughing, learning.–Pete Hamill
Tonight I put aside my usual reading to again take up your entertaining book, and started once more from page 1. This time I read it with fresh eyes and an open heart, enjoying your easy style. I guess I had to be in the right mood, and I am now thoroughly enjoying it….and no, it isn’t anywhere near heavy enough to be a door stop….just pulling your chain!!
By comparison, my childhood was an easy one, as my father had come from a dirt poor background not that many years out of the civil war, and through determination, education and hard work made a successful career in business, allowing he and my mother to give their children the parental love and easy lifestyle they had not enjoyed. Together, they were our angels.
Your description of your grandmothers kitchen and all the aromas rekindled the memories of summers my sister and I spent with my mother in New Orleans. Since my father had been transferred to New York, the later San Francisco, New Orleans was the only place we had relatives, so each year after school he would send us there and join us at summers end to bring us home for another school year.
We’d spend part of the time at my father’s mother’s home — Scottish and Irish background — and then at my mother’s parents, the pure French side. Mostly I remember the French cooking, shopping at the French Market in the Quarter, the smells and tastes, and how the adults would slip into French when they did not want the children to understand what they were saying. Perhaps that is where I too picked up my ear for the French pronunciation. Wonderful memories, and while I was surrounded by immediate family, we were both surrounded by love…and isn’t that what is truly the essence of a family?
Be well my friend….Pierre….aka Chris
Terrance’s description of his childhood and how he was handed from ‘Billy to Jack’ has a touch of Frank McCourt – in the sense that he doesn’t try to pull on your heartstrings – he just tells it as it was….
When you meet this wonderful, articulate man you can’t help but wonder once again what role nature, nurture, destiny and hasard has in all our lives and you are delighted that a twist of fate later hooked him up with ‘Grand Parents’ that were a great match for his personality and inquisitive mind. It make’s you think the expression ‘God made them and matched them’ doesn’t apply exclusively to sweethearts!
You can image Woody Allen in Terrance’s New York and his memory for details is really impressive. But of course Paris is the real star of ‘From Bagels to Brioches – Paris par hasard’ and he describes her with charm, poignancy and heaps of valuable tips for the visitor. I particularly loved the anecdote about the waiter from Les Deux Magots on one New Year’s Eve.
I previously worked as Assistant Manager for a top Paris hotel (n°1 on Trip Advisor) that has an excellent concierge service and I know from experience that many personal guides unfortunately may not really be who you might want to spend one of your valuable vacation days with, and that a lot of Paris guide books are a bit dry don’t give the really ‘inside’ Paris information you want.
With Terrance you’ll meet someone you’d love to spend time with and his book will really get you in the mood and give you ideas about where you might want to visit, dine, ramble and as Terrance is an inspiring kind of character frightening but exciting questions might cross your mind – ‘what if I too were to do what I want and what I’m good at and what if I also decide to bloom here in after?
–Patricia Killeen
The Family Responds
I’m really enjoying every page. You have great knowledge of food and arts. I’m sure that whoever reads this book will book a flight ASAP.
-Terrance’s sister (Candy)
Her brother’s comment after 100 pages and no mention of him was: “What happened to me?
-Bruce Gelenter
Big deal! He writes and talks-he’s been doing it for over 50 years!” Neil Gelenter
-Terrance’s father
I’m not sure this is a lovable book, it exposes in intimate detail Terrance’s knowledgeable obsession with the mysteries of Paris’ cultural life, cafe society and beautiful women. Worse, the book gives away all the secrets of where my favorite hidden places in Paris are!
-Terrance’s Grandmother
It ain’t Steinbeck…but the kid’s got style.
-George Moore, Paris
