Book cover of A Waiter in Paris: Adventures in the Dark Heart of the City

Book description

SHORT LISTED FOR THE ACKERLEY PRIZE FOR AUTOBIOGRAPHY

***
'This astonishing book describes a cruel, feral existence and is worthy of standing on the shelf next to George Orwell's Down And Out In Paris And London (1933) as another classic about human exploitation.' - Daily Mail

'Chisholm's story is immersive…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

3 authors picked A Waiter in Paris as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This is Paris as you have never seen it (I hope!). A poor English boy finds himself penniless in Paris, and manages to get a job as a waiter in a seemingly smart restaurant. There follows a horrific and hilarious account of the dark underbelly of Paris - filthy kitchens, bullying bosses, sleazy lodgings, scrabbling for tips... I shall never again feel comfortable in a Paris restaurant - but it was a lively and funny read.

A fascinating true story of a very determined young man down on his luck--who turns adversity into success. Inspiring, and riveting. And very well-written!

It's a superbly written tale about a Brit waiter in the City of Light.

The author, Edward Chisholm, is, frankly, much, much better at the craft of writing than many hyped fiction authors. I also like his vivid showing—in the manner of Orwell's Down and Out in Paris and London—a grim, truthful side of Paris beneath the glamour.

Frankly, I don't understand how he survived his brutal ordeal as a Parisian server. Maybe the resiliency of youth.

If you love A Waiter in Paris...

Ad

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Want books like A Waiter in Paris?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like A Waiter in Paris.

Browse books like A Waiter in Paris

Book cover of Cheffes de Cuisine: Women and Work in the Professional French Kitchen
Book cover of Five Quarters of the Orange
Book cover of Nacho's Nachos: The Story Behind the World's Favorite Snack

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,277

readers submitted
so far, will you?

Ad

📚 If you like A Waiter in Paris, you might also like...

Book cover of The Bridge: Connecting The Powers of Linear and Circular Thinking

The Bridge by Kim Hudson,

The Bridge provides a compassionate and well researched window into the worlds of linear and circular thinking. A core pattern to the inner workings of these two thinking styles is revealed, and most importantly, insight into how to cross the distance between them. Some fascinating features emerged such as, circular…

Book cover of And Then They Were Gone: Teenagers of Peoples Temple from High School to Jonestown

And Then They Were Gone by Judy Bebelaar,

Of the 918 Americans who died in the shocking murder-suicides of November 18, 1978, in the tiny South American country of Guyana, a third were under eighteen. More than half were in their twenties or younger.

The authors taught in a small high school in San Francisco where Reverend Jim…

5 book lists we think you will like!