Sabor a Provenza
by Nina George, ニーナ・ゲオルゲ
- First published 2013
- 320 pages
- Spanish
Monsieur Perdu operates a floating bookshop on a barge along the Seine, calling himself a literary apothecary. He possesses an uncanny ability to prescribe the perfect book to soothe the emotional ailments of his customers, mending their broken hearts and souls with stories. Yet, for twenty years, he has been unable to heal his own profound grief over a lost love who departed, leaving behind a letter he has never dared to open.
When Perdu finally reads the long-sealed letter, its contents propel him to cast off from Paris and embark on a physical and emotional journey through the rivers of France to Provence. Accompanied by a best-selling but creatively blocked author and a lovelorn Italian chef, he navigates the waterways, dispensing wisdom and books, and confronting his past. This voyage explores the enduring impact of loss, the complexities of love, and the transformative power of literature to guide one toward healing and new connections.
When Perdu finally reads the long-sealed letter, its contents propel him to cast off from Paris and embark on a physical and emotional journey through the rivers of France to Provence. Accompanied by a best-selling but creatively blocked author and a lovelorn Italian chef, he navigates the waterways, dispensing wisdom and books, and confronting his past. This voyage explores the enduring impact of loss, the complexities of love, and the transformative power of literature to guide one toward healing and new connections.
What readers say
3.50
110K ratings across the web 5 in 10 readers loved it, 2 didn't like it
"The Little Paris Bookshop" is widely praised for its enchanting premise, centered around Jean Perdu, a Parisian bookseller who operates a floating "Literary Apothecary" on the Seine, prescribing books as medicine for his customers' souls. Reviewers particularly appreciated the novel's lyrical and poetic prose, which beautifully evokes the landscapes and atmosphere of France, making it feel like a love letter to the country. Many found the book to be a deeply emotional and moving exploration of themes such as love, loss, grief, and self-discovery. The power of literature to heal and transform is a recurring positive, with readers enjoying the numerous bookish references and thoughtful insights into the reading experience.
However, several readers found the execution of the story did not live up to its promising concept. Critics often felt that the unique "literary apothecary" aspect was underutilized, quickly giving way to a more conventional romance narrative. The plot was sometimes described as poorly structured, meandering, and overly sentimental, with an abundance of clichés and awkward dialogue that some attributed to translation issues. Character development was a point of contention; while some found Jean Perdu endearing, others saw him as frustratingly passive or too immersed in a self-pitying romanticism. The portrayal of certain relationships, particularly the central one, was criticized for being unrealistic or glorifying infidelity.
Ultimately, "The Little Paris Bookshop" appears to be a polarizing read. Those who appreciate a gentle, emotional story with rich descriptive language and a strong focus on the healing power of books, set against a romantic French backdrop, are likely to find it a delightful and uplifting experience. However, readers seeking a tightly plotted narrative, complex character development, or a less sentimental approach to romance might find themselves disappointed by what they perceive as a saccharine and meandering tale.
However, several readers found the execution of the story did not live up to its promising concept. Critics often felt that the unique "literary apothecary" aspect was underutilized, quickly giving way to a more conventional romance narrative. The plot was sometimes described as poorly structured, meandering, and overly sentimental, with an abundance of clichés and awkward dialogue that some attributed to translation issues. Character development was a point of contention; while some found Jean Perdu endearing, others saw him as frustratingly passive or too immersed in a self-pitying romanticism. The portrayal of certain relationships, particularly the central one, was criticized for being unrealistic or glorifying infidelity.
Ultimately, "The Little Paris Bookshop" appears to be a polarizing read. Those who appreciate a gentle, emotional story with rich descriptive language and a strong focus on the healing power of books, set against a romantic French backdrop, are likely to find it a delightful and uplifting experience. However, readers seeking a tightly plotted narrative, complex character development, or a less sentimental approach to romance might find themselves disappointed by what they perceive as a saccharine and meandering tale.
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Details & editions
- This edition
- Debolsillo, 2014
- ISBN
- 9788490329733
- ISBN-10
- 8490329737
- Language
- Spanish
Original edition Das Lavendelzimmer Originally published in 2013 · German · Knaur eBook
