Just spent a fascinating morning with Faber and Nathalie in a delightful and intriguing Parisian neighbourhood. Very twisting and turning and never sure if either is a reliable witness. I think that I would not like to know quite so much about my neighbours ! Will read more of this authors delightful offerings.

This book was so good, it was a bit silent patient, a bit Woman in the Window but almost with a calmer vibe. I thoroughly enjoyed this authors writing style and it did something very unique with the story. Can't wait to read more by this author!

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.

Thanks to Antoine Laurain, Pushkin Press, and NetGalley for access to the Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a different book than I am used to. It starts out as an analysts meets with a photographer to help her address her sudden loss of talent after taking some pictures. This leads to a psychoanalysis where the patient is asked to write stories about others in her building to help her express her deeper feelings. This later leads to some unexpected twists and turns and the analysis unfolds.

I liked the psychoanalysis approach to the story and the “Rear Window” influence on the photographer’s side of the story. The ending was interesting and satisfying. The stories within the story sometimes seemed a bit long and transitions were occasionally confusing. Overall, a good and interesting read.

The synopsis is enticing and the way that the story is told had me intrigued. I loved the parts when Nathalia shared stories about the tenants of each floor. Definitely had me surprised by the end. The vibe is definitely less mystery and more literary. Somewhat charming. There is a lot of psychoanalysis and the tone reminded me of Scaffolding by Lauren Elkin due to the quiet introspection that occurs from start to finish. Both Dr. Faber and Nathalia are mysterious and due to their unreliable narratives, I was constantly guessing what really was true.

I really wanted to enjoy this book more but I had difficulty immersing myself into the story. Had to re-read parts over and over to really get through it. But it's a fairly short book, so I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for something other than a fast paced, thriller mystery.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallic Books for the e-ARC. This short and sweet story was written well, but I just couldn’t connect with it for some reason. The writing style doesn’t work for me. The prose feels a bit dense, like it is full of intricate phrasing which begins to feel heavy after awhile. I enjoyed reading Nathalia’s vignettes- the mini-stories were my favorite and part.

It’s me not you situation. The book was well-written and the premise was captivating, however, it just didn’t fit my mood and I couldn’t quite connect with the story.

French Windows is the first book I’ve read by Antoine Laurain, as such I wasn’t sure what to expect.

Successful photography, Nathalia Guitry, photographs a murder from her apartment window and leaves her traumatised and unable to work. She attends therapy sessions with Dr Faber and writes stories about her neighbours.

I found it a compelling read. It felt like a game of cat of mouse between Faber and Nathalia. The stories that Nathalia writes for Faber are quite entertaining and of course there is the question of how true the stories are.

It was an interesting read and I would read other other books by Antoine Laurain.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Pushkin Press, for making this e-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.

37 Stars
One Liner: Intriguing!

Psychotherapist Dr. Faber is intrigued by his latest patient, Natalia Guitry, a professional photographer. She claims that she lost her skills/ muse/ interest after witnessing a murder. Noticing how self-aware she sounds, the doctor asks her to write stories about each resident in the five-floored building opposite her home. With each story Natalia sends, Dr. Faber feels things going out of his control. Who exactly is Natalia?
The story comes from Dr. Faber’s POV.

My Thoughts:
This is a short book (a novella) with a story-in-story format, where we get teeny stories in the first-person POVs of the respective main characters.
The beginning is slow, or maybe it seemed that way due to the absolute lack of formatting in my ARC. There are no scene breaks, no chapter heads, and no markings. Even the beginning quote became a part of the first paragraph on the first page. I hope the published version is properly formatted. Otherwise, this would be an annoying read.
While Natalia has a surreal quality with a hint of grey (malice?), Dr. Faber comes across as a know-it-all at first, but soon we see more about it. Still, he does seem egoistic and proud of his achievements, which gives his character a nice edge.
It’s hard to say much since I don’t want to reveal any spoilers. However, there are references to quite many dark themes (not a surprise given the profession) and a bit of this and that. Some rambling about psychology, too, which aligns with the doctor’s arc.
Though this is a French story and has some local elements, the focus is not on the setting. Guess that’s why it has a timeless vibe despite being set in the current times.
The ending, as expected in thrillers, comes with a few twists. Even when we think it’s over, it is NOT over!

To summarize, French Windows is an intriguing novella, almost like a cat-and-mouse game even if the stakes are low (but not without danger). It’s best read in one or two sittings.
Thank you, NetGalley and Pushkin Press, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

I loved this book! It had just the right amount of spooky and mystery! I love Antoine Laurain's books, and I was so excited to see he had a new story coming out! This one was definitely different than some of his others, like the President's Hat or The Red Notebook, but it gave more The Portrait vibes! I would definitely recommend!

I recently picked up French Windows by Antoine Laurain, and I have to say it was a delightful and charming read. Laurain has a way of drawing you into his world with a quiet, almost whimsical tone, and this novel was no exception.

The story revolves around a man named Daniel, a Parisian who is on the verge of a life-changing decision. After being given the opportunity to purchase a beautiful, classic Parisian apartment with French windows (hence the title), Daniel’s life begins to unfold in unexpected ways. What initially seems like a simple story about finding a new home soon becomes much more—a meditation on personal transformation, the passage of time, and the complex relationships that shape our lives.

What really struck me about French Windows was Laurain’s ability to weave together the mundane with the extraordinary. The beauty of Paris is ever-present, but it’s not in a flashy, touristy way. Laurain captures the little details—the way the city smells after rain, the sound of footsteps on cobblestone streets—giving the novel a sense of intimacy and authenticity. It's a love letter to Paris, but also to life’s simple moments.

French Windows is a compelling and beautifully-written character-driven story with an intriguing twist that I did not expect. If you are looking for a fast-paced crime thriller, French Windows may not be the book for you. However, if you are looking for a more literary narrative with an exploration of psychoanalysis and the being, it is the perfect fit. The insight into the various beings who Nathalia observes is fascinating, and the way in which it all comes together in the end is masterfully done. And the ending... well I was definitely shocked. I will absolutely be looking out for more Laurain works in the future.

A mystery told with a series of vignettes, a truly compelling literary work. Nathalia Guitry accidentally photographs a murder and has difficulty processing this tragic event which causes her therapist to encourage her to write. This book comes across as both a literary novel and a psychologically intriguing book, a thoroughly enjoyable read.

While the overarching mystery plot was pretty dull, I really enjoyed the series of vignettes that Nathalia writes. The stories that come from the five floors are romantic, cathartic, and immersive, and they were the best part of the book, in my opinion. The twist was surprising at first, but looking back, it was a little predictable. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy essay and short story collections.

Oh what a joy, I love this author.
Nathalia Guitry, has captured a murder whilst photographing, unable to deal with the trauma her therapist says she must write.

so she writes about her neighbors. Each floor of the building has some brilliant characters and Nathalia doesn't always write what is true.
This is a fun fun read, it is also dark and compelling and I just loved how Nathalias mind worked mixing fact with fiction.

No spoilers from me about the whos and what they do but believe me this is a book that is brilliant.

"French Windows" by Antoine Laurain is a captivating blend of psychological intrigue and literary storytelling. Photographer Nathalia Guitry, after unintentionally capturing a murder on film, turns to writing about her neighbors as therapy—but her accounts blur the line between reality and imagination.

Laurain’s signature charm and vivid Parisian atmosphere shine through, with echoes of Hitchcock’s Rear Window. While some readers love the intriguing premise, others find the mystery aspect underdeveloped. Still, it’s a compelling exploration of observation, storytelling, and human complexity, perfect for fans of literary fiction with a twist.

A quick but introspective read. More than being a straightforward mystery, it's a book about trauma and the power of one's imagination. I was impressed by Laurain's ability to push us into Natalia's mindset and the twist was a whole lot of fun! Highly recommend, especially for people looking for quicker (but nevertheless deeply compelling) reads!

French Windows is a compelling and introspective novel that follows Nathalia, a woman who has witnessed a murder and begins seeing a therapist to process the traumatic event. While Nathalia is certain of what she saw, the narrative invites readers to slowly uncover the truth alongside her. As she delves deeper into therapy, the line between client and therapist begins to blur, leading to an unsettling exploration of trust, memory, and self-discovery.

The novel’s exploration of psychoanalysis is both thought-provoking and complex, as Nathalia works through her emotions and tries to make sense of the murder she witnessed. The shifting perspectives and narrative structures can be disorienting at times, and I found myself occasionally frustrated as the different threads of the story overlapped. However, this structure is intentional, capturing the confusion and inner turmoil Nathalia feels as she tries to piece together what really happened.

Though the story doesn't follow the conventions of a traditional thriller, it offers a unique and intellectually engaging journey into the intricacies of trauma and perception. The relationship between Nathalia and her therapist is particularly intriguing, as their interactions subtly evolve in unexpected ways, keeping the reader on edge and questioning what is real.

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book

This author is new to me. The title first got my attention and then I liked the description. This book was enjoyable and an easy read. I thought the characters were interesting too. I would recommend this book.