Amit Chaudhuri’s new novel: Paris bears little resemblance to a visiting writer’s idea of the city

Amit Chaudhuri's new novel depicts a writer's disorienting arrival in Paris's Château Rouge neighborhood. The story contrasts romanticized expectations with the sensory chaos and safety concerns of urban reality.

• 1The novel features a protagonist arriving in Paris at Gare du Nord.
• 2The setting focuses on the Château Rouge neighborhood, two metro stops from the station.
• 3The narrative highlights the protagonist's anxiety about the safety of a 'vibrant' urban area.