[General] Guide book title : "A" or "The" guide of the best...

[olivierkoutchou]

Hi all,

I am working on the publication of a guide of the best Paris pastry shops. I have two questions:

What is the best title based on how it sounds to english-native speakers: "A guide of the best Paris pastry shops" or "The guide of the best Paris pastry shops".

Then there is this "Paris pastry shops" part, what's better "the best Paris pastry shops" or "the best pastry shops in Paris"?

Many thanks,
Olivier

 

[Rover_KE]

Bienvenu aux forums, Olivier.:-D

Keep it short. There's no need for 'A/the guide of/to'.

English-speaking tourists are well aware what patisseries are. It's in English dictionaries and translating it to 'pastry shops' sounds condescending.

I'd call it Best Parisian Patisseries.

Bonne chance!

 

[olivierkoutchou]

Thanks Rove_KE for your help.

I have a problem with using the word patisseries because even in French (I suppose it's the same in English), Patisseries could mean both the pastries, the cakes and the shops. Titled like that, the guide might be understood as a book on recipes, I want to purpose of the book to be crystal clear! And if you look at google requests, pastry shops is much more used than patisseries or pastries. There is no condescending intention from me and I really don't understand how it could be perceived as such.

The idea of adding the word "guide" is also to make clear that it is a travel guide, not a book of pictures or recipes.

I want to keep the words "guide" and "pastry shops" for these reasons, thanks for helping me with that.

 

[Roman55]

I am not a teacher.

Dans ce cas, why not "The best Parisian pastry shop guidebook"?

 

[SoothingDave]

I wouldn't assume that "patisserie" is a commonly understood word in English.

 

[Tdol]

If you're going to use an article, I prefer A guide, as there may be others. You see the definite article used with a name- the Michelin guide, etc.