I wanted to really like
The Little Paris Bookshop. The words Paris and Bookshop grabbed my
attention when I saw it at my public library. Unfortunately, I did not
click with this book and was bored most of the time.
Description: Monsieur Perdu calls
himself a literary apothecary. From his floating bookstore in a barge on
the Seine, he prescribes novels for the hardships of life. Using his
intuitive feel for the exact book a reader needs, Perdu mends broken
hearts and souls. The only person he can't seem to heal through
literature is himself; he's still haunted by heartbreak after his great
love disappeared. She left him with only a letter, which he has never
opened.
After Perdu is finally tempted to read the letter, he hauls anchor and departs on a mission to the south of France, hoping to make peace with his loss and discover the end of the story. Joined by a bestselling but blocked author and a lovelorn Italian chef, Perdu travels along the country’s rivers, dispensing his wisdom and his books, showing that the literary world can take the human soul on a journey to heal itself.
Review: Jean Perdu's Literary Apothecary is a unique bookshop in that it is a barge moored on the Seine. I think the best way to describe Perdu's profession would be a biblio-therapist- a person who recommends books to help cure any emotional affliction such as heartbreak, loneliness, and ennui. While he can easily help others, Perdu ironically can't help himself. 21 years ago the love of his life left him with an unopen letter. Since then Perdu has not lived, but goes the motions. When the long lost letter from his lover resurfaces, he is compelled to read it and the unexpected contents catalyzes him into action and take his mobile bookstore to Avignon in search of closure and forgiveness.
The book held my attention for the first few chapters and a little after finding out what was said in the letter. Instead of being interested in solving the mystery and finding Perdu's long lost love, I grew bored by the repetition of finding new people, chatting, drinking wine and eating. While I liked some of the secondary characters that we meet along the way such as Max Jordan an upcoming author who is terrified of writing a sophomore failure and paralyzed with writer's block, all the other characters were too similar and blurred together. In between the mini excursions we are also given a glimpse of Perdu's love, but I didn't like her at all. I found her to be selfish and I just can't understand her life choices. It also didn't help that the dialogues were cliched and at many points sacchrine.
Overall it was an okay read, more of a beach read. If you are looking for similar story that has a stronger, tighter plot and engaging characters do check out The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin which I liked a lot more though it too had its faults.
Rating: 2 stars
Words of Caution: There is some language and sexual situations. Recommended for older teens and adults.
If you like this book try: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin, The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain, The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler
After Perdu is finally tempted to read the letter, he hauls anchor and departs on a mission to the south of France, hoping to make peace with his loss and discover the end of the story. Joined by a bestselling but blocked author and a lovelorn Italian chef, Perdu travels along the country’s rivers, dispensing his wisdom and his books, showing that the literary world can take the human soul on a journey to heal itself.
Review: Jean Perdu's Literary Apothecary is a unique bookshop in that it is a barge moored on the Seine. I think the best way to describe Perdu's profession would be a biblio-therapist- a person who recommends books to help cure any emotional affliction such as heartbreak, loneliness, and ennui. While he can easily help others, Perdu ironically can't help himself. 21 years ago the love of his life left him with an unopen letter. Since then Perdu has not lived, but goes the motions. When the long lost letter from his lover resurfaces, he is compelled to read it and the unexpected contents catalyzes him into action and take his mobile bookstore to Avignon in search of closure and forgiveness.
The book held my attention for the first few chapters and a little after finding out what was said in the letter. Instead of being interested in solving the mystery and finding Perdu's long lost love, I grew bored by the repetition of finding new people, chatting, drinking wine and eating. While I liked some of the secondary characters that we meet along the way such as Max Jordan an upcoming author who is terrified of writing a sophomore failure and paralyzed with writer's block, all the other characters were too similar and blurred together. In between the mini excursions we are also given a glimpse of Perdu's love, but I didn't like her at all. I found her to be selfish and I just can't understand her life choices. It also didn't help that the dialogues were cliched and at many points sacchrine.
Overall it was an okay read, more of a beach read. If you are looking for similar story that has a stronger, tighter plot and engaging characters do check out The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin which I liked a lot more though it too had its faults.
Rating: 2 stars
Words of Caution: There is some language and sexual situations. Recommended for older teens and adults.
If you like this book try: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin, The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain, The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler
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So sorry you were bored most of the time with this read, it makes it so hard to even want to finish a read like this, let alone like it.
Wonderful honest review though!!
Sorry the story became repetitive after a while, Rummanah. I'd love to visit something like the Literary Apothecary though :)