In “The Little Paris Bookshop” we meet Monsieur Perdu, (Jean) who calls himself a literary apothecary. He owns a floating bookstore in a barge on the Seine, where he prescribes novels to his customers like a doctor would prescribe medicine to his patients. Perdu believes that books have the power to mend broken hearts and souls.
But, the only person he can’t seem to heal through literature is Monsieur Perdu himself. After twenty years he is still haunted by heartbreak after his great love suddenly leaves him. Only a letter remains from her now, and Perdu has refused to open it all these years.
After donating some furniture to a neighbor, however, the letter is rediscovered. Perdu is finally tempted to read it which fuels an unexpected journey across the county’s river. During this voyage, he is joined by a young bestselling author, who is experiencing writer’s block. A lovesick Italian chef, whose in search of the woman he fell in love with one night many years ago. Perdu navigates the unknown waters in search of answers, and the peace that he has denied himself for years.
Thoughts
I liked the plot and many characters, but I felt myself longer for more. Interactions between characters seemed to be cut off at key moments. Yet, I was trapped reading pages of wordy descriptions of sunsets, or food. That significantly slowed the pace of the book, which speed was already set by Monsieur Perdu’s slow-moving boat/bookstore. Many of the twist and turns were easily foreseen. But to be fair, there was an unexpected event in the last few chapters. This moment, to my relief, breathed life back into the book.
I loved that ‘books’ were used as cures by Perdu. It provided a deeper insight into his ability to read people, while oddly missing his faults. And it was a unique trait. However, his emotions felt too extreme from one moment to the next. And I dreaded reading the love scenes. They were adolescent in nature and not fitting of the character.
Overall, I would say the biggest fault I found with this book was that it unevenly spook to three different readers; the book enthusiast, the hopeless romantic, and the foodie. I was very aware when the writing shifted directions, and long for the last speaker to return. It felt like the author was trying to tell too many stories. As a reader I long to captivated and transported to another place or time, and this, unfortunately wavered.
My Review: Borrow It
Rating Scale:
Must Own It (A+)
Get It (A)
Check It Out (B)
Borrow It (C)
Pass It By (D)
Running From It (F)