Countless Americans dream of pulling up stakes and moving abroad to immerse themselves in the cultures of the world’s great cities – London, Paris, Rome. But how many actually make the leap, and what is it like for them? In Under Paris Rooftops, published by Chateau Publishing House, Norman and Arleen Shabel bring readers along on their quest to fulfill a long-held dream of becoming part-time expatriates in the City of Light, and in doing so challenge and strengthen their marriage and their trust in each other.
“I had been in love with Paris ever since spending my sophomore year of college there,” Arleen a painter, composer and author, explained. “Living there again has always been a dream of mine, but I never expected the journey to become such an adventure!”
“When Arleen suggested we visit Paris with the intention of moving there, I was dubious to say the least,” said Norman Shabel, a trial lawyer and the author of several novels and plays. “But she convinced me to give it a chance, and I’ll never question her wisdom again! I fell absolutely in love with living in the city, and I know readers of Under Paris Rooftops will do the same.”
In Under Paris Rooftops, the Shabels detail their fascination with Paris, and their resulting decision to make a spontaneous trek to France and begin a confusing and potentially disastrous hunt for an apartment in the city guided only by Arleen’s understanding of the French language and careful planning. Along the way, the Shabels strengthen their more than 50-year bond by learning to appreciate each other’s strengths and weaknesses and trust each other more completely.
And as they learn more about themselves, each other and a city with a rich and turbulent relationship with the Jewish religion, Norman and Arleen also realize an even greater respect for their trust in each other, which is the foundation of their marriage.
Under Paris Rooftops chronicles the Shabels’ exciting Parisian adventure, including the challenges of a post-recession real estate market, a flexible currency exchange rate, and learning a foreign language, as well as the undeniable pleasures of a fresh-baked baguette and French cuisine. Follow along as they carry readers through the challenges of construction in a foreign city, the strolls through the boulevards and the rewards that came with their own expatriate adventure, as they experienced an incredible environment for artistic and literary development.
