Monique El-Faizy

Jan 20, 2025 | deborahcopaken.substack.com | Deborah Copaken |Monique El-Faizy

This is a tricky one for me to write. For one, I know Neil Gaiman, subject of this recent article in New York Magazine. For another, I’ve been in a consensual relationship with a man, not Neil Gaiman, in which consent was neither asked for nor given for acts, unwanted, that took place within the presumed safety and sanctuary of that relationship. Moreover, like who experience intimate partner violence, I didn’t immediately leave. Those are my caveats. Let’s just get the Neil part out of the way.

Dec 9, 2024 | midlifeinparis.substack.com | Monique El-Faizy

I recently did a radio interview with a reporter for France Culture about how the mass rape trial of Gisèle Pelicot is perceived in the United States. It’s a little difficult for me to judge, given that I’m in France, but I have the impression that, while some people are following it closely, a lot of people who normally would are not. When I bring it up with friends back in the US, for example, a lot of them are unaware of the trial or only know the sketchiest of details.

Nov 22, 2024 | midlifeinparis.substack.com | Monique El-Faizy

Midlife In ParisStarting over in Paris, post-divorce, as a single, middle-aged woman in her prime. No thanks

Oct 27, 2024 | midlifeinparis.substack.com | Monique El-Faizy

Paris was glorious this past week. Temperatures were mild and the sun was out nearly every day. Unlike New York, where autumn generally ushers in dazzling blue skies, Paris can be a dull gray. Thankfully, that hasn’t been the case of late. I had lunch earlier this week near the Assemblée nationale with two incredible journalists who were attending the Women’s Forum, France 24’s Annette Young and Francesca Donner, founder of The Persistent.

Oct 9, 2024 | midlifeinparis.substack.com | Monique El-Faizy

After their uber-long summer holidays, the French normally return home in early September full of energy. Here in the capital, that generally means a month of huge demonstrations and a few crippling strikes. Not this year. The usual manifestations of malcontentment were notably absent. “I wouldn’t say they seemed happy,” one friend said when I asked her if Parisiens seemed to be in a better mood this year.