Story in Review: The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

I wanted to fall in love with The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George. I really did.

The title, the cover, the idea of a quaint bookshop in Paris… they all sound absolutely up my alley. But this book just didn’t land for me and I’m still not quite sure why. Usually I find out why when I type out my thoughts, so look for a more distinct opinion by the end of this review.

Monsieur Perdu is lost, both in name and reality. He owns a book barge where he sells books – or rather, where he prescribes just the right book to a person in need, much like a doctor prescribes medicine. And he’s good at it.

But something – namely someone – is missing from his life and he is miserable and angry and alone.

When a woman moves in across the hall, Perdu begins an adventure to find that missing someone – but in the least likely way of all.

Favorite Quotes:

“He was capable of conjuring all kinds of gaps.” – p. 3

“Over it all drifted the perfume of Paris in June, the fragrance of lime blossom and expectation.” – p. 4

“With all due respect, what you read is more important in the long term than the man you marry, Madame.” – p. 11

“Books keep stupidity at bay.” – p. 13

“Perdu wondered how it must feel to experience things so intensely and yet survive.” – p. 18

“…it was a common misconception that booksellers looked after books. They look after people.” – p. 24

“She loved historical novels in which women dressed as men and outgrew their limited opportunities.” – p. 59

” ‘I think I learned all my feelings from books. In them I loved and laughed and found out more than in my whole non-reading life.’ ” – p. 71

“Wasn’t it terrible that love came in several sizes?” – p. 138

“Max had underlined certain sentences in pencil and jotted some questions in the margins; he had read the book as a book ought to be read.” – p. 142

“Loving requires so much courage and so little expectation.” – p. 253

“…to whom their lives were bund by love, death and grief.” – p. 367

What made it a good story?

To me, this book was worth reading for all of the quotes about books more so than the story or the characters. George’s love for reading and understanding of how a book can change a person gives this book its heart.

What could have made it a better story?

I often felt like the author was telling too many different stories at once. There are a lot of characters introduced very quickly and a lot of information tossed about, but it took me until chapter two or three to even realize that the bookstore was actually on a boat on the Seine. I feel like that could have been more clear at the outset. It forced me to go back and re-read some of the earlier text to see if I was interpreting things correctly.

At times, the plot drug and at others it raced: the pacing was unsettling. And so were the actions of some of the characters. I feel like if Monsieur Perdu had not opened a room in his house for 21 years he would not have so hastily set out on a journey without extra clothes. I also feel like too many people fall “in love” too quickly – or at least into bed – to be believable.

Still, I love the idea of a literary apothecary – and for that, I loved this book. If forced to rate it, I’d probably go with 3/5 starts. If you love books because they are books, give it a read. If you like reading for the plot or the characters, pass this one on by.

Have you read The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George? What did you think? 

P.S. The moments about books remind me of The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society.

P.P.S. I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.