Paris Par Hasard, the Book

How did a lousy French student become the sophisticated American’s friend in Paris?

In Paris par Hasard: from Bagels to Brioches, 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.
To paraphrase Woody Allen “a caricature of a caricature-if he didn’t exist we’d have had to invent him.”

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.
Terrance in conversation with Michael Krasny, host of KQED-FM, San Francisco’s award-winning Talk show (intelligent) FORUM.

Available in Paris-Village Voice Bookshop and Shakespeare & Co.

Terrance speaks to Laurel Zuckerman in Paris

 Collectable,personalized, autographed copies are 20 euros including shipping.

 Click here to order with  Paypal. Be sure to email shipping address to terrance@paris-expat.com.

Available at Amazon and as an E-book (Kindle)

Non–autographed editions available in Paris at Village Voice Books, Shakespeare & Co.

“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

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

(Paris par Hasard) It actually opened my eyes to the numerous matters this beautiful city has to offer. Especially those simple day to day things that one tends to neglect (and not appreciate) because our daily life has become so fast paced we tend to over look them.

I love this city more and more now and what it has to offer, and sadly regret all the time I wasted not exploring its secrets (particularly that i have 39 days left until I return back to Lebanon). But not all hope is lost, I might settle here one day!

If I might add, the book became quite a problem when returning home after a long day to a semi-empty fridge with no energy to cook, while reading about the mouth watering food you generously describe during my ride home!–Kareem Khalil

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

What a remarkable memory you have, not just for the big picture, but for the descriptive and telling details. Harriet Welty Rochefort/French toast

Just a line or two to say that I received my order of your book just before Christmas and have devoured it in one sitting. Great book, I must say. I also have been nurturing my dream of moving to Paris. I was planning to move there once I “retire” in 2012 at age 55, however, after reading your book, I can’t wait until then. I have decided that it must be this year. Thanks for an inspiring and entertaining read.-May SF

I am enjoying reading your memoir!  It brings back wonderful memories and parts of it make me laugh out loud!  Congratulations on a wonderful book!
Mary Denise Martin

I just finished reading your thoroughly enjoyable book and I wonder at the wonderful life you have designed and created for yourself over the last number of years. Your book inspired me to ignore the usual aches and pains of having an older body and focus on the spirit of my mind and start traveling again. I can’t wait to launch my Parisian visit with one of your tours next October.
Paula Heller, New Jersey

Great fun reading your book. Loved your Brooklyn tales, the detailed menus
François Picard, France 24 Television

Just wanted to let you know that I loved your book (and particularly enjoyed reading it while in Paris). Your stories were like a little watercolor sketchbook that captured the feeling of the moment while sometimes blurring the details.

I resonated with many of your observations about daily life and enjoyed your humorous but always affectionate perspective on the people you’ve met and situations you’ve been in. I love it that you made your dream happen (even if by burning the return bridges!) and maybe will end up doing the same one of these days. Grosses bises (and my best to grandma, too, who was behind it all.)
Lynn Wallisch

PARIS par HASARD: from BAGELS TO BRIOCHES is by no means an accident. Like fine food and wine, it is laced with a depth of personal prospective and insight into a culture that so many only dream of. Terrance, however, lives that dream in real-life and he opens his vault of experiences and shares them with his readers…personally, intimately, and with heart-felt admiration for living life fully.

The book flows smoothly and segues easily from example to situation, to story. Anyone who has ever lived in Paris, or aspired to live there will find this an enjoyable and easy read. But as Nathaniel Hawthorne poignantly said, “Easy reading is damn hard writing.”
James Melton
Yucca Valley, CA

As probably THE, at least one of the, oldest Ex-Pats in Paris, possibly in France, Terrance’s Saga Sings sweetly to my ears, heart and what’s left of my memory.

A confirmed Francophiliac since I arrived in 1949, my own itinerary, including the New York – California connection, often follows his, although my PEOPLE – writers Richard Wright James Jones, Saroyan, Burroughs etc. were of an earlier generation. Can you believe it? Picasso, Giacometti, Montand, Piaf, De Bouvoir, Sartre…DeGaulle etc. were still around.

But Terrance’s PEOPLE – Diane Johnson, John Baxter and all the other bright stars in his galaxy, happily confirm that, like moths, we may forever be drawn to the City of Light while, like Josephine baker, never neglecting our other Amour. B to B was great fun from page one.

My only hope is that in the next edition we might find a CD of Terrance Tunes tucked into the back cover. After tantalizing readers over 227 pages with descriptions of his lyric talents, exploits, and vast repertory we yearn to hear the Master’s voice which, unless he made it all up, promises to delight nearly as much as his whimsical, witty and so tender prose.
-Betty Werther

Terrance: enjoyed your book. But I must complain a bit as I was hungry after every chapter or two. Of course that led me into the kitchen for a nosh but never as good as your food and wine adventures.  I just might take the book to some French restaurants and point to certain pages and ask for some of that!!!
-Richard Hippard, San Francisco

The enchantment of BAGELS TO BRIOCHES comes with the realization that his entire life has been one of serendipity – par hasard.  We the reading flaneurs are constantly engaged by the King of Serendipity’s rich adventures — old or new, stateside and in Paris.–Robert Stricker, KUL‘cha Literary Agency

My buddy Terrance Gelenter has finally come out with a book of his takes on life and living…Paris Par HASARD: From Bagels to Brioches….which really calls forth the serendipity of each day.
Congratulations, EL P, and merci for giving us all something to…use in choosing how we will… decide to LIVE! Perhaps this is really the theme song you were born to sing?

AC-CENT-TCHU-ATE THE POSITIVE
“You’ve got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, latch on to
the affirmative, don’t mess with Mister (Mrs or Ms) In-Between.”
Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer, 1944

Read his book and enjoy!-Jacquelyn Goudeau, SF.

I met Terrance several years ago, along with my husband Stan, and we signed up as part of the initial PTEE Paris tour with Bob and Louise Netzer and a few other ardent Francophiles.  Obvious to all of us was how much Terrance loved Paris and wanted this new venture to take off.  But, alas, 9/11 happened and it seemed as though the dream was shattered.  However, even at his “certain” age, Terrance coped with the shock and redesigned his dream and he made it happen! Bagels to Brioches chronicles the story and gives you delightful insight into the process.  How wonderful…  In addition, Terrance delights us with his vignettes about daily life in our favorite city away from home, Paris.  His stories bring you to the scene and make you feel as though you are there experiencing the moment with him.   Thank you, thank you Terrance for a wonderful book!!! –Joann Hays, San Francisco

Regular recipients of  Terrance Gelenter’s  Paris Through Expatriate Eyes newsletter are familiar with “Paris par hasard;”  each column whisks the reader to a different part of the city, often beginning  at Les Deux Magots and then on to an adventurous chance  meeting or private tete a tete in another arrondissement. The adventure is culinary, flirtatious, or the convivial meeting of old and new friends, one is presented with a peek at a previously unknown sliver of the City of Light, or becomes reacquainted one’s own memories of past visits.

Paris par hasard also offers insights, this time into the life of the author himself.  Gelenter’s past is as varied and fascinating as the man himself today. Who could envision that the child born in Monongahela, PA,  or the little boy who sat “on the porch in summer sipping lemonade” would one day become one of the foremost expatriate guides to Paris?

The reader is guided through the author’s anything-but-normal childhood, his entry into young adulthood with a number of careers, a marriage and family, and ultimately to the beginnings of the idea which facilitated his drive to become a true Parisian – Paris Through Expatriate Eyes.

The autobiography is marked with  humor and humanity, but with loss and acceptance as well. Frankly, it was difficult for this reviewer to read of  the child often passed among relatives, however kind and loving.  But the author remembers only the good he found in everyone, and shares his joy in reconnecting today with the family of his past.

The narrative is also punctuated by personal favorites and passions of Gelenter – films, French coffee, bistros and cafes, and of course the remarkable people whom he calls his friends, acquaintances and companions today.

From Bagels to Brioches – Paris 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.
Joe Fama

Are you ready for a whirlwind trip through the 1950′s complete with East Coast and Brooklyn nostalgia?  Well, hold on, because it doesn’t stop there.  Get ready for an even faster ride that will take you back to the 1920′s and ’30′s in Paris right up to the present day.  All this though the fast paced memoir Bagels to Brioche, Paris par hasard, by Terrance Gelenter.  Enjoy the experiences and exploits of Terrance as he takes you along his magical mystery ride and his love of life and Paris by recounting his experiences in the City of Light (and love - a la Terrance).
Stan Hays, San Francisco

I was impressed with the vivid descriptions, the scenes you created, the food, wine and colorful scenarios you painted really came alive on those pages.
Jeff Warren, Mill Valley

“It ain’t Steinbeck…but the kid’s got style.”        
George Moore, Paris