The Little Paris Bookshop

Although I’m fairly cynical regarding the realms of love and relationships, I’m still a total [closet] sap (don’t ask me how that works, because I don’t really know).

That being said, after I first read the synopsis for this novel, I was already pretty convinced that I would like it a lot.

The Little Paris Bookshop

By Nina George

Genre: Fiction
Pages: 392

The Little Paris Bookshop centers around Monsieur Perdu, a man who lost the love of his life when she left him a little over two decades ago. He calls himself a “literary apothecary,” and has set up a floating bookstore on the Seine, prescribing novels to different people for the hardships of life.

But then he finally reads a letter that she left him. One that he left un-opened for 21 years. The contents of that letter spur him to journey to the south of France in hopes to find answers to unanswered questions.

This novel actually kinda reminded me of the movie, Chocolat! <3 (Except that her prescription of choice was in the form of chocolate!) It also made me wonder what book he would’ve prescribed to me.

Since I don’t want to give too much of the book away, I’ll just give you my impressions on the writing–I loved the vivid descriptions (it made me want to go to France!) and the way the story flowed. I definitely believe in the healing power of words, whether by writing or reading. Writing has always been one of my outlets (especially in the days of Livejournal and my offline [paper] journals), and I love how stories can transport you into a different world altogether.

This novel takes you on a journey of sorts, and will likely make you sad to say goodbye to the characters at the end of it. (This is precisely the reason as to why I never finished the game, Tales of Phantasia. don’tjudgeme.)

I have a feeling that this is the one of those novels (much like The Mapmaker’s Children) that will stick around in my mind for a long, long time. It’s beautifully written, and there are a lot of quotes in there that I really liked.

All of us preserve time. We preserve the old versions of the people who have left us. And under our skin, under the layer of wrinkles and experience and laughter, we, too, are old versions of ourselves. Directly below the surface, we are our former selves: the former child, the former lover, the former daughter.”

I liked how it managed to be whimsical and heartwarming, while also seriously tugging at them heartstrings.  <3

You know what makes The Little Paris Bookshop even more awesome? There are recipes at the end! They are dishes typical of the Provence region, and look pretty darn delicious. (Lavender Ice Cream, I’m specifically lookin’ at you!)

Still not convinced? There’s also an “Emergency Literary Pharmacy” at the back that I thought was a really nice touch. :P There are suggestions on what to take (what book to read) for “when your ideals clash with reality,” “men who are too scared to love,” and “those susceptible to boring dreams” (just to name a few)! :] I’m looking forward to checking out the “prescriptions” too!

(Linking up with Mary, Ashley, and Tami over at Literary Musing Mondays!)

• Have you ever heard of The Little Paris Bookshop?
• What “ailment” do you feel you’d need a literary prescription for?
• What book would you prescribe to me? (Why yes, I’m shamelessly looking for more to add to my never-ending to-read list on GoodReads!