Review of Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
When I first stumbled upon Anna and the French Kiss, the title instantly conjured up visions of Parisian romance, imbued with charming café scenes and heart-fluttering moments. With glowing recommendations flooding my social media feeds, I couldn’t ignore the buzz any longer. Stephanie Perkins had crafted a name for herself, and I was curious whether Anna would whisk me away to the City of Light or leave me stranded in the mundane.
The novel revolves around Anna Oliphant, an American teenager sent to a boarding school in Paris for her senior year. Here, amidst the city’s beauty, she encounters Étienne St. Clair—a captivating yet infuriating boy who finds himself caught between two worlds: his girlfriend and his undeniable feelings for Anna. The central theme of love in various forms—unrequited, complicated, and true—circles around their dynamic as they navigate high school’s romantic pitfalls.
One striking aspect of Perkins’s writing is her vivid portrayal of Paris, which almost becomes a character in its own right. The descriptive passages breathe life into the setting, allowing readers to visualize the cobblestone streets and sense the electric thrill of youthful love. Perkins has an incredible gift for capturing the nuances of teenage relationships, albeit with a sprinkle of whimsy that some may find akin to a well-curated rom-com.
However, the characters sparked a divide within me. Anna’s journey is saturated with both charming highs and melodramatic lows. While I appreciate her relatable awkwardness and passionate love for classic films, I often found myself frustrated by her choices—especially in her relationship with St. Clair, who is, at first glance, the epitome of dreamy. Perkins infuses complexity into their story, but at times, Anna’s self-righteousness overshadowed her charm, painting her as a somewhat hypocritical heroine.
The supporting characters are a kaleidoscope of familiar tropes: the best friend who veers toward betrayal, the envious classmate, and the loyal sidekick—each feeling like echoes from other young adult novels. While they are engaging, they sometimes falter into predictable archetypes, making me yearn for deeper, more original subplots.
Perkins has a way of threading humor throughout the narrative, with dialogues that reflect the awkwardness of high school life. One memorable line that struck me humorously was Anna’s quip about her lack of knowledge regarding French language/film, a perfect reflection of her relatable uncertainties. Though I often resonated with Anna’s internal dialogue, I was left wishing for a more honest exploration of her flaws rather than relying on the fairy-tale gloss.
In conclusion, while Anna and the French Kiss certainly offers a delightful escape into a story of first loves and heartbreaks set against a backdrop of stunning Paris, it does carry the weight of familiar tropes and occasionally shallow characters. Readers who relish travel romances and lighthearted explorations of adolescence will likely find joy in this tale. Personally, although I enjoyed the charming escapism of the narrative, I left with a lingering sense of wanting more depth and complexity.
If you’re open to indulging in a slice of heartwarming drama set in a picturesque locale, Anna’s journey might just be the perfect read to brighten your day. However, if you crave realism and deeper character development, you may find yourself as conflicted as Anna amidst her romantic pursuits.
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