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Bringing his trademark style and charming whimsy, Antoine Laurain’s new novel of intrigue, murder and neighbourly curiosity is sure to delight fans old and new.Ìý Nathalia, a young photographer, has been seeing a therapist. Having accidentally photographed a murder, she finds that she can no longer do her job.Ìý Instead, Doctor Faber suggests that she write about the neighbours she idly observes in the building across the street. But as these written snapshots become increasingly detailed, he starts to wonder how she can possibly know so much about them. With each session, Doctor Faber and his mysterious patient will get closer and closer to the truth. But are the stories Nathalia submits each week as she claims... Bestselling author Antoine Laurain serves up a dose of suspense and intrigue in Rear Window with a Parisian heart.
208 pages, Paperback
First published May 24, 2023
51 people are currently reading
1008 people want to read
About the author
Antoine Laurain
25Ìýbooks656ÌýfollowersAntoine Laurain (born 1972) is a French author. He previously worked as a screenwriter and antiques dealer.
His first novel "The Portrait" was published in 2007 and he achieved wide international acclaim with "The Red Notebook". Since then his works have been translated into 14 languages and partly made into films.
His first novel "The Portrait" was published in 2007 and he achieved wide international acclaim with "The Red Notebook". Since then his works have been translated into 14 languages and partly made into films.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
June 7, 2024
French Windows pays an obvious homage to the 1954 film Rear Window, directed by Alfred Hitchcock and based on a short story by American author, Cornell Woolrich, but has a deliciously French flavour and displays the author’s trademark wit. As well as being a clever mystery, the accounts Dr Faber encourages Natalie to write describing the lives of the occupants of the apartment building across from her own are wonderful ‘stories within a story�, little snapshots if you’ll pardon the pun of other lives. Something the individuals have in common is change in their lives, in some cases prompted by quite inconsequential things such as a computer screensaver.
Dr Faber has his own little quirks. For example, his passion for collecting passepartout keys (keys that can open any door in a building), perhaps seeing a parallel with his role as a therapist. He regards smoking as akin to an art form, proudly recalling how he acquired the skill of smoking a cigarette ‘hands-free� and describes himself as ‘a very gifted smoker�. He cannot imagine life without a cigarette, all previous attempts to give up � at the urging of his wife � having failed. But he finds pleasure even in the failed attempts, relishing the ‘special joy� of each ‘tender reunion�.
From feeling he is control of their therapy sessions, Faber finds himself increasingly compelled to discover whether the stories Nathalie brings him are works of imagination or true. It now seems to be her controlling him as he waits expectantly for her to deliver the next story. When the final one arrives, he gets more than he bargained for.
Even if you’ve worked some of it out before that point, perhaps inspired by the title of one of the author’s previous books, French Windows is still a wonderfully quirky and entertaining read.
Dr Faber has his own little quirks. For example, his passion for collecting passepartout keys (keys that can open any door in a building), perhaps seeing a parallel with his role as a therapist. He regards smoking as akin to an art form, proudly recalling how he acquired the skill of smoking a cigarette ‘hands-free� and describes himself as ‘a very gifted smoker�. He cannot imagine life without a cigarette, all previous attempts to give up � at the urging of his wife � having failed. But he finds pleasure even in the failed attempts, relishing the ‘special joy� of each ‘tender reunion�.
From feeling he is control of their therapy sessions, Faber finds himself increasingly compelled to discover whether the stories Nathalie brings him are works of imagination or true. It now seems to be her controlling him as he waits expectantly for her to deliver the next story. When the final one arrives, he gets more than he bargained for.
Even if you’ve worked some of it out before that point, perhaps inspired by the title of one of the author’s previous books, French Windows is still a wonderfully quirky and entertaining read.
May 25, 2023
C'est très bof.
Le pitch avait l'air génial. Au final, c'est lent, il se passe rien de vraiment intéressant. Très dommage parce que le dénouement final est inattendu !
Le pitch avait l'air génial. Au final, c'est lent, il se passe rien de vraiment intéressant. Très dommage parce que le dénouement final est inattendu !
September 8, 2024
it was fine, good writing (probably not my kind, the writing for me was a bit contrived) and good mystery (though maybe could have been guessed). so i would be reading another laurain definitely, though maybe not soon. for now i am in the mood or austere and simple writing, so it's more me than the book.
"Who would we be if we could not sympathize with those who are not us or ours? Who would we be if we could not forget ourselves, at least some of the time? Who would we be if we could not learn? Forgive? Become something other than we are?"
Susan Sontag, Literature as Freedom, acceptance speech for the Friedenspreis, Frankfurt Book Fair, 2003
"Who would we be if we could not sympathize with those who are not us or ours? Who would we be if we could not forget ourselves, at least some of the time? Who would we be if we could not learn? Forgive? Become something other than we are?"
Susan Sontag, Literature as Freedom, acceptance speech for the Friedenspreis, Frankfurt Book Fair, 2003
August 18, 2024
This had me hooked and such a short read, finished it in a day!
Nathalia, a photographer, finds she can’t do her job anymore after she accidentally photos a murder and starts visiting a therapist - but who’s therapising (if that’s not a real word it should be) who? 👀
Loved how this ended and the story just filled me more and more with intrigue as it went on!
Nathalia, a photographer, finds she can’t do her job anymore after she accidentally photos a murder and starts visiting a therapist - but who’s therapising (if that’s not a real word it should be) who? 👀
Loved how this ended and the story just filled me more and more with intrigue as it went on!
July 31, 2024
3.5 stars
This quick and charming read set in Paris reminded me a bit of Rear Window. We witness a cat-and-mouse relationship develop between a psychoanalyst and a patient, making it hard to discern who is analyzing whom. Can we trust the patient’s stories? While the reveal is predictable, I enjoyed the buildup and learning about the different characters living on each floor of the building. Despite the predictability of the reveal, the ending was rather sweet and unexpected. Overall, this was a clever and enjoyable story, enhanced by its Parisian setting and characters.
This quick and charming read set in Paris reminded me a bit of Rear Window. We witness a cat-and-mouse relationship develop between a psychoanalyst and a patient, making it hard to discern who is analyzing whom. Can we trust the patient’s stories? While the reveal is predictable, I enjoyed the buildup and learning about the different characters living on each floor of the building. Despite the predictability of the reveal, the ending was rather sweet and unexpected. Overall, this was a clever and enjoyable story, enhanced by its Parisian setting and characters.
October 4, 2024
Dont smoke kids!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2024
Laurain’s books are always a pleasure to read, populated by quirky characters and offering a a humorous and often charming look at Parisian life.
My personal favourite is and there are times in this book where he alludes to that.
Nathalia, a photographer, has not only witnessed, but also photographed a murder and at the outset of the book is in therapy on the couch of a psychiatrist, Dr Faber. Since the event she is traumatised and has not been able to work. Faber comes up with an idea to get her to elaborate, suggesting she writes stories about the residents of her apartment block, in turn from each of the four floors below hers.
This particular book from Laurain is a bit too light and cozy for me. There’s a clear homage being paid to the 1954 Hitchcock film Rear Window that memorably starred James Stewart (and written by Cornell Woolrich incidentally), but it’s far less dark, something more along the lines of Only Murders in the Building.
Nonetheless, it’s good entertainment.
My personal favourite is and there are times in this book where he alludes to that.
Nathalia, a photographer, has not only witnessed, but also photographed a murder and at the outset of the book is in therapy on the couch of a psychiatrist, Dr Faber. Since the event she is traumatised and has not been able to work. Faber comes up with an idea to get her to elaborate, suggesting she writes stories about the residents of her apartment block, in turn from each of the four floors below hers.
This particular book from Laurain is a bit too light and cozy for me. There’s a clear homage being paid to the 1954 Hitchcock film Rear Window that memorably starred James Stewart (and written by Cornell Woolrich incidentally), but it’s far less dark, something more along the lines of Only Murders in the Building.
Nonetheless, it’s good entertainment.
October 17, 2024
Un petite bagatelle - c'est charmant, mais ....
A short and rather sweet French fable, but it lacks any real substance - but for the few hours it takes to read, it's a clever divertissement. The murder subplot doesn't amount to much, and I doubt I'll remember much of it 2 months from now. The original French title translates literally as 'Dangerously Sweet', which is much more evocative and on point.
A short and rather sweet French fable, but it lacks any real substance - but for the few hours it takes to read, it's a clever divertissement. The murder subplot doesn't amount to much, and I doubt I'll remember much of it 2 months from now. The original French title translates literally as 'Dangerously Sweet', which is much more evocative and on point.
April 16, 2025
Another fantastic Laurain novel! Diffuse with his classic wit and craft, the story had me hooked and finished it in a day!
August 9, 2024
i liked the twist at the end
November 17, 2024
For awhile there I thought this might be Antoine Laurain’s best ever book. I enjoyed most of it but felt the twist and ending didn’t meet with my liking.
July 27, 2024
Ganz toll!
Vielen Dank an Netgallery Deutschland für die digitale Version des Buches!
Vielen Dank an Netgallery Deutschland für die digitale Version des Buches!
June 10, 2024
MY VERDICT: A captivating novel with a Rear Window twist, blurring the lines between reality and storytelling, by the master of literary mystery.
Antoine Laurain’s previous book translated into English, An Astronomer’s in Love, featured windows and apartments, as well as a secret.
We find these elements here again in French Windows, in a very different book, that will captivate you all the same.
I love how the book opens, with a picture perfect description of one of these typical Parisian courtyards.
My full review is here:
Antoine Laurain’s previous book translated into English, An Astronomer’s in Love, featured windows and apartments, as well as a secret.
We find these elements here again in French Windows, in a very different book, that will captivate you all the same.
I love how the book opens, with a picture perfect description of one of these typical Parisian courtyards.
My full review is here:
May 18, 2024
thank you @gallicbooks for sending me an ARC. out June 6.
the first thing that interested me about this book is the narration style. It’s told from the pov of a therapist assessing a woman’s case, and it pulls you in right away. trying to figure out what the woman is hiding, what she plans to unveil. It’s a mix of slice of life, suspense, and psychological insights.
each session, the woman tells us a story about someone living in the building opposite her. whether made up or real, the stories are enjoyable. short and meaningful. we meet an uncanny mix of characters.
I didn’t figure out the twist right away but I did expect it towards the end a little earlier before all was revealed. still, I think it was satisfying and quite interesting.
it was a good entertaining read, and i think it was done in a smart and intriguing way. It made me more curious about the author and how he thinks and writes. I think I will definitely read more books by him.
I’m not sure if it’s the original writing or translation, but I would have liked if the writing wasn’t as impassive and plain as it was though.
the first thing that interested me about this book is the narration style. It’s told from the pov of a therapist assessing a woman’s case, and it pulls you in right away. trying to figure out what the woman is hiding, what she plans to unveil. It’s a mix of slice of life, suspense, and psychological insights.
each session, the woman tells us a story about someone living in the building opposite her. whether made up or real, the stories are enjoyable. short and meaningful. we meet an uncanny mix of characters.
I didn’t figure out the twist right away but I did expect it towards the end a little earlier before all was revealed. still, I think it was satisfying and quite interesting.
it was a good entertaining read, and i think it was done in a smart and intriguing way. It made me more curious about the author and how he thinks and writes. I think I will definitely read more books by him.
I’m not sure if it’s the original writing or translation, but I would have liked if the writing wasn’t as impassive and plain as it was though.
March 24, 2024
French Windows by Antoine Laurain
A book where the story is full of stories. A patient is asked by her therapist to construct fantasies about her neighbors. The goal is to lift her depression.
The fantasies of the patient were interesting, but the overall story not as much. In all fairness, Laurain pulled it together at the end. I gave the book to a friend who is French and she suggested there could be some cultural issues that decreased my enjoyment.
This story would not make my top ten.
A book where the story is full of stories. A patient is asked by her therapist to construct fantasies about her neighbors. The goal is to lift her depression.
The fantasies of the patient were interesting, but the overall story not as much. In all fairness, Laurain pulled it together at the end. I gave the book to a friend who is French and she suggested there could be some cultural issues that decreased my enjoyment.
This story would not make my top ten.
August 6, 2023
Lecture agréable et fin surprenante mais l’ensemble est facilement oubliable. Un bon roman de plage.
August 12, 2023
Bof pas le meilleur policier que j’ai lu dans ma vie�.
April 12, 2025
French Windows is a charming, quirky, and surprisingly dark read. It follows Dr Faber, a psychoanalyst, and his enigmatic patient Nathalia, a photographer who can no longer practice her art. As the sessions unfold, the story becomes a subtle cat-and-mouse game, leaving you questioning who is analysing whom. Nathalia shares the stories of her neighbours � the diverse and curious characters who live in her apartment building � all of which seem to hold clues to the mystery of her creative block. But, as the novel progresses, it becomes clear that not everything is as it seems, and a clever twist ties it all together. There’s much more to this novel than voyeurism; it’s layered, psychological, and satisfyingly twisty. If you enjoyed Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window, you’ll likely find this an intriguing and rewarding read.
April 15, 2025
I hadn’t heard of French Windows before, but I stumbled upon it while browsing titles on Netgalley and I’m so glad I did. The intriguing premise immediately caught my attention, and I knew I had to request it.
The story follows Dr. Faber, a psychologist who begins sessions with a new patient named Nathalia. Nathalia is a photographer, but she confesses that she's been unable to continue her work ever since she accidentally photographed a murder. In an attempt to better understand her mental state, Dr. Faber asks her to write about her neighbours. However, as he begins reading her accounts of the neighbours, he becomes increasingly unsettled. How does she know such intimate details about the people around her? Are these accounts grounded in truth, or are they figments of her imagination?
What unfolds is a captivating and atmospheric mystery as the reader joins Dr. Faber in unraveling the enigma that surrounds Natalia and the alleged murder. The story kept me hooked, and I didn’t see the twist coming at all.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pushkin Press for the review copy. French Windows was a truly unexpected gem, and one I’m glad I didn’t miss.
The story follows Dr. Faber, a psychologist who begins sessions with a new patient named Nathalia. Nathalia is a photographer, but she confesses that she's been unable to continue her work ever since she accidentally photographed a murder. In an attempt to better understand her mental state, Dr. Faber asks her to write about her neighbours. However, as he begins reading her accounts of the neighbours, he becomes increasingly unsettled. How does she know such intimate details about the people around her? Are these accounts grounded in truth, or are they figments of her imagination?
What unfolds is a captivating and atmospheric mystery as the reader joins Dr. Faber in unraveling the enigma that surrounds Natalia and the alleged murder. The story kept me hooked, and I didn’t see the twist coming at all.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pushkin Press for the review copy. French Windows was a truly unexpected gem, and one I’m glad I didn’t miss.
September 18, 2024
A female photographer visits a therapist in an attempt to revivify her passion for her craft. Her last photograph before starting therapy was of a murder.
She is extremely taciturn during sessions so the therapist suggests she writes about the residents of the apartment block she can see from her window, stories either real or imagined.
The result is a novel that defies genre description, being part short stories, part wry reflection on the world of psychotherapy, with the mystery of the murder lurking in the background.
Immensely readable and engaging, with a dark humour threaded through the story. Unusual but enjoyable.
She is extremely taciturn during sessions so the therapist suggests she writes about the residents of the apartment block she can see from her window, stories either real or imagined.
The result is a novel that defies genre description, being part short stories, part wry reflection on the world of psychotherapy, with the mystery of the murder lurking in the background.
Immensely readable and engaging, with a dark humour threaded through the story. Unusual but enjoyable.
October 10, 2024
Really liked the vignettes of life on the other floors, but the main characters and narrative just didn’t draw me in. Also, having read Laurain’s other books and the publisher advertising that all is likely not as it seems in this one led me to guess pretty early on what was happening too, which made the big reveal unsurprising.
So, disappointing despite really enjoying sections of it. Partly because of my own high expectations having liked so many of his prior books, alas.
So, disappointing despite really enjoying sections of it. Partly because of my own high expectations having liked so many of his prior books, alas.
June 30, 2024
Rear window meets the murder of George Acroyd but also Emily in Paris
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2024
It took a while to keep track of where the book was heading, but ultimately, another satisfying read from one of my favorite authors.
October 4, 2024
couldn’t imagine killing someone (accident or not) over a cigarette 🚬
November 16, 2024
fun. nice twist.
February 25, 2025
French Windows is an intriguing story when you know that Nathalia can no longer work as a photographer because of what she saw. The conversations she has with the therapist and the assignment he gave her made the story interesting for me. However, I could not get used to the stories of the outsiders living on the other side. I kept wondering if there was more to it or if that part of the story wasn't that good. But this is the kind of story where you have to read until the end and can only appreciate the story once you know it fully. I ultimately thought it was well written and interesting, once I reached the end and knew the whole story.
March 14, 2025
4.5 stars - Antoine Laurain's work never disappoints, this was a great and cleverly plotted read where every word counts. The best thing about his novels is how French they are.
June 7, 2024
This is not my usual type of book but I found it an enjoyable, humorous read.
The story is about a photographer called Nathalia who is seeking therapy sessions with Doctor Faber. Nathalia has stopped taking photos since she caught a murderer on camera in the building opposite her own.
Doctor Faber has suggested that Nathalia should write stories about the people she sees in the building opposite, floor by floor.
Nathalia starts to write vivid accounts of her Parisian neighbours� lives. But are her tales real or imaginary?
I found it fascinating reading each of the neighbours stories and enjoyed the humour in the writing. I wasn't sure how the individual stories would link to the murder (or even if they were true!) but it all ties up very cleverly at the end with a surprising twist I didn't see coming at all.
This was a quick read (only 170 pages) but I really enjoyed the authors writing style. A highly original story!
The story is about a photographer called Nathalia who is seeking therapy sessions with Doctor Faber. Nathalia has stopped taking photos since she caught a murderer on camera in the building opposite her own.
Doctor Faber has suggested that Nathalia should write stories about the people she sees in the building opposite, floor by floor.
Nathalia starts to write vivid accounts of her Parisian neighbours� lives. But are her tales real or imaginary?
I found it fascinating reading each of the neighbours stories and enjoyed the humour in the writing. I wasn't sure how the individual stories would link to the murder (or even if they were true!) but it all ties up very cleverly at the end with a surprising twist I didn't see coming at all.
This was a quick read (only 170 pages) but I really enjoyed the authors writing style. A highly original story!
June 11, 2024
Once again, Laurain shows us he's not just a brilliant writer, but a very creative one as well. Here's my review of his latest novella.
April 26, 2025
3.25/5 stars. Thank you NetGalley and Pushkin Press for the opportunity to read an eARC of this title. I was in a reading slump prior to reading this short novel and am eternally grateful to have found such a fun palate-cleanser to get back on track. This book is told from the POV of a Parisian shrink who is treating a woman photographer that lost her ability to do her job after accidentally photographing a murder out of the window of her apartment. She shows voyeuristic tendencies so he assigns her the task of writing stories about the inhabitants of the apartments in the building across from her window. A deeper plot is explored as she delivers these short stories to him one by one. The character studies of each story she writes and ultimately of the woman and the shrink are fascinating and well-written. The twist/resolution at the end was slightly predictable but I really enjoyed how everything came together, and it was so Parisian that I had to have a bit of a chuckle at the reveal.
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