The Cockaynes in Paris; Or, 'Gone abroad'

A witty, observant narrator guides listeners through the bustling English enclave of late‑Victorian Paris, where guidebooks and opera glasses are as essential as a good cup of tea. From the glittering boulevards to the cozy cafés, he sketches the charming absurdities of expatriates comparing veal cutlets, negotiating servants, and debating the merits of French versus English domestic life. The early chapters brim with lively anecdotes that capture the city’s elegance and the peculiar habits of its British residents.

The tone shifts as the narrator reflects on the aftermath of recent upheavals, noting how once‑glorious monuments have become scarred and familiar faces grow distant. Through gentle humor and a touch of melancholy, he explores how political change reshapes the everyday rituals of the Cockayne family and their circle, while still celebrating the enduring allure of Paris for those who have made it a second home. Listeners will feel the pulse of a city caught between past splendor and uncertain future.