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  • Mrs Harris Goes to Paris and Mrs Harris Goes to New York

  • By: Paul Gallico
  • Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
  • Length: 10 hrs and 16 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (304 ratings)

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Mrs Harris Goes to Paris and Mrs Harris Goes to New York cover art

Mrs Harris Goes to Paris and Mrs Harris Goes to New York

By: Paul Gallico
Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
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Summary

Mrs Harris is a salt-of-the-earth London charlady who cheerfully cleans the houses of the rich. One day, when tidying Lady Dant's wardrobe, she comes across the most beautiful thing she has ever seen in her life - a Dior dress. In all the years of her drab and humble existence, she's never seen anything as magical as the dress before her, and she's never wanted anything as much before. Determined to make her dream come true, Mrs Harris scrimps, saves and slaves away until one day, after three long uncomplaining years, she finally has enough money to go to Paris.

When she arrives at the House of Dior, Mrs Harris has little idea of how her life is about to be turned upside down and how many other lives she will transform forever. Always kind, always cheery and always winsome, the indomitable Mrs Harris takes Paris by storm and learns one of life's greatest lessons along the way.

©2010 Paul Gallico (P)2022 W F Howes

Critic reviews

"Mrs Harris is one of the great creations of fiction - so real that you feel you know her, yet truly magical as well. I can never have enough of her." (Justine Picardie)

"It is almost impossible not to succumb to Gallico's spell." (Times Literary Supplement)

"Wherever she goes, Mrs Harris seems to sprinkle fairy dust over those she meets. Yet she's very realistically drawn, and the book is fraught with painful setbacks.... In the end, Mrs Harris' yearning for the dress is secondary. The friendships that are made because of her quest are what change her life forever. This book was a delight from start to finish." (Worthwhilebooks.blogspot)

What listeners say about Mrs Harris Goes to Paris and Mrs Harris Goes to New York

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Wonderful!

Easily the most enjoyable audio book(s) I’ve listened to so far, and I’ve listened to a lot! The stories are heart warming and beautifully written and the narration is sublime, five stars for Juliet Stevenson just isn’t enough. I know that I’ll definitely listen to these stories again just for the joy of listening to her character voices, she’s brilliant!

7 people found this helpful

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A dated masterpiece that doesn't date

While teetering on edge of the sentimental quite a bit of the time, Gallico writes with a freshness and apparent innocence that make you want to forgive him anything. This tells of a time when the char still existed. Although cleaners are more abundant now if anything the kind of person portrayed as Mrs Harris is probably extinct. Still, it is a fabulous yarn made all the better with Stevenson's wonderful reading and excellent cockney. It also highlights that the world still has an incredible wealth of kindness despite the press and media which would suggest to you that that is extinct too. In fact, I suspect that kindness is alive and well and living in Battersea even though its name may no longer be Harris.

6 people found this helpful

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Brilliant story and fabulous narration..

I love anything that Juliet Stephenson narrates , you can always be guaranteed of a good story with her… this one surpasses all others with the incredible range of accents that take the fun and intelligent story to another level as she brings the characters alive.

6 people found this helpful

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Splendid

Perfection in every way. Congrats to the narrator. Had a lovely listen this weekend. Gallico never fails

6 people found this helpful

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A Great Read

Thoroughly enjoyable book and read expertly. The characters really came alive with every listen. I hope there are more books to follow about Mrs Harris.

4 people found this helpful

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Lumme!

Lumme! Do yourself a favour and go on this adventure with one of the most enjoyable char actors in a tale of two cities. Juliet Stevenson superb as always in fact she's gone one better and done it proper like this time.

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Not what I expected.

I was really excited to listen to this book as the film is just out.
Boring, predictable & saved myself the price of a cinema ticket.

2 people found this helpful

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Great storyline

Very enjoyable listen and Juliet Stevenson’s character voices were perfectly executed. Will be added to the repeat listen list.

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Loved it

Wanted to see this at the cinema but listening to this version 1st was a treat, well thought out, I know it wasn’t real but I was believing but at the end I felt spoilt it when explained no characters are real, you can’t look them up or find them at the address given, I felt deflated but loved the different characters ❤️

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it's a No from me

Not sure I can even make myself finish listening to this book..
I really can't wait to see the film..but the voice of Mrs harris is horrendous and completely spoils the book for me..it reminds me of the life of Brian sketch where his mother is shouting out the window!! it's so unbelievable..

1 person found this helpful

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  • adriana
  • 24-03-23

bad editing

I'm struggling to finish this audiobook, I love the story but the heavy breathing noises are very distracting, I couldn't use headphones, I have to listen in my phone with very low volume. But I keep at it because I love the story, It's so easy to edit out the breathing noises!

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  • Jeanne
  • 29-01-23

A delight

Indulge yourself in dreams and life and live a little in fantasy and reality. Worth it. Made me smile and enjoy
my life more too.

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  • Mark
  • 08-01-23

Very enjoyable

We enjoyed this book having seen the movie recently. They fit together ver well, thank you