Every once in a while a book comes along that feels like it was written just for you. The Little Paris Bookshop by Nine George is that book, which is an appropriate coincidence given the profession of the bookseller in this book.
The Little Paris Bookshop is the story of Jean Perdu, a bookseller whose shop is titled Literary Apothecary. Perdu believes certain ailments (heartbreak, etc.) can be cured by reading the right books. Twenty years ago the love of Perdu’s life left him, and now all he has is his bookstore. Then one day a new revelation sends him off on a journey to find closure and along the way he makes several friends and rediscovers love.
Accompanying Perdu on this journey is young author Max Jordan, who gained success and notoriety when his first novel became a bestseller but is having trouble following up on that success. He has come to Paris in an attempt to avoid his editors and along the way develops a close bond with Perdu.
While I wouldn’t describe this book as “chick lit” it is definitely geared towards a female audience and it’s written for booklovers. There are many references to classic and popular books that made me smile throughout this novel. There are also many passages that I found myself underlining as I read through the book. One of my favorite quotes near the beginning is when Perdu tells a customer, “With all due respect, what you read is more important in the long term than the man you marry.”
I was immediately drawn into the story and George’s writing style. I loved the characters and her way with words – like I said, there are several passages I marked because I loved them so much. There was a fluidity to her writing that made me want to keep reading. The story seemed to drag a little for me near the middle, but picked up again fairly quickly.
This book is perfect for hopeless romantics and booklovers. Perdu himself would probably recommend this book for someone overcoming heartbreak; the ultimate theme of the book is uplifting and hopeful. It’s a fairly quick and easy read, perfect for beach reading or when you just want something that’s not a dark, gritty drama.
Not Another Dumb Blonde 