The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
Combining the romance of Paris, canals and books, Nina
George’s novel (translated into English after over a year on best-seller lists
in Europe) paints a portrait of a middle aged man with a special gift, a gift
that can help nearly everyone but himself.
Jean Perdu’s Literary Apothecary is a book barge that floats sedately on
its moorings in the Seine. Perdu has a
knack for prescribing the perfect book to heal that ails a person at the
perfect time. For the last twenty-years, Perdu has wallowed in grief, and yes,
self-pity, when the love of his life Manon, left him without a good-bye,
leaving only a letter which Perdu has stubbornly refused to open all these
years. After time with his neighbor
Catherine, who is soon to be divorced, Perdu relents and opens and reads
Manon’s letter. Shaken and shocked by
what it contains, Perdu realizes how unfair he has been and knows the only way
to repair this is to unmoor his barge and travel to the South France to forgive
and be forgiven and find some peace---even some happiness---with which to live
out his life.
Effectively told using Manon’s travel diaries, Perdu’s
letters to Catherine and the observations of his somewhat unwelcome travel
companion Max, Perdu navigates the canals of southern France as he navigates his
heartbreak and guide. A compendium of
books and their healing properties along with recipes for the restorative foods
mentioned along the way provide additional depth and atmosphere to this twist
on a familiar story.
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for
this review.
No comments:
Post a Comment