The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

The Little Paris Bookshop

by Nina George

The international bestseller, translated from the German by Simon Pare. On a beautifully restored barge on the Seine, Jean Perdu runs a bookshop; or rather a 'literary apothecary', for this bookseller possesses a rare gift for sensing which books will soothe the troubled souls of his customers. The only person he is unable to cure, it seems, is himself. He has nursed a broken heart ever since the night, twenty-one years ago, when the love of his life fled Paris, leaving behind a handwritten letter that he has never dared read. His memories and his love have been gathering dust - until now. The arrival of an enigmatic new neighbour in his eccentric apartment building on Rue Montagnard inspires Jean to unlock his heart, unmoor the floating bookshop and set off for Provence, in search of the past and his beloved.

Reviewed by inlibrisveritas on

4 of 5 stars

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The Little Paris Bookshop originally caught my eye on Blogging for Books a month or so back, but I passed on it in favor of a different book. However once my library updated their digital selection and I saw this, I immediately hit the download button and I’m so glad I did.

The Little Paris Bookshop isn’t so much about a bookstore as it is about the man who owns and runs it. Perdu is a man capable of seeing the true need of every person who comes into his store and can recommend the perfect book for them, he sees it as medicine for the soul. There seems to be a whole in his perception though, as he can’t tell what he needs it and when and this book is about him discovering what he truly needs in order to move forward and live the life he’s always wanted. I really love reading about his journey through renewed grief, finding love again, and helping others find little pieces of themselves through books. I really liked the entire cast of characters. Perdu was easy to relate to even though he was twice my age, and while parts of his story were heartbreaking a lot of it has hope. I also loved Max Jordan, a bestselling novelist who has become somewhat of a recluse in his stardom. He’s quirky, excitable and really naive but his lust for something more than what he has is infectious…plus he wears earmuffs all the time and it’s adorable.

The atmosphere in this book is amazing. Perdu’s Book Barge is perfection, and when I dream of my true dream like bookstore it’s always something as fantastical as this. Perdu’s journey alone the Seine made me long for and miss a country I’ve never even been to. I could see myself walking through the vineyards and dancing in secret meetings with strangers.

The audiobook version I think will be a take it or leave it experience. I know a lot of people have issues with accents, particularly if they are not natural accents but faked. This book has that. I personally didn’t mind them at all, and I thought it really added some richness to the storytelling that I might have missed out on if I had read it instead. I thought the pacing was nice and relaxed, and it really made the perfect summer evening sort of book

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 3 September, 2015: Finished reading
  • 3 September, 2015: Reviewed