The Little Paris Bookshop- Nina George

I was actually looking forward to reading this book (Coz I like the title) and finally found it in the library. Lo and behold, I seriously disliked the book and struggled to finish it. The opening of the book wasn't too bad and I liked the idea of a bookstore on waters. Monsieur Perdu was the owner of the Literary Apothecary- a book pharmacy, who prescribed books to customers based on their emotional state, experiences, likes and dislikes. It reminded me a lot of Chocolat, which I loved and which was similarly set in France. Unfortunately, although the idea of a book pharmacy was refreshing, the prose and the plot and characters in the book just fell flat. Everything seemed so cliche, fictional, and the writing felt a little stiff. Perdu lived in misery for 2 decades after he thought that he was abandoned by his lover, Manon. He only realized his mistake when his new neighbour found Manon's farewell letter to him in an old table he had given her. Finally plucking up the courage to read the "farewell" letter, Perdu realized it wasn't a farewell letter. In the letter Manon revealed to him that she was dying from cancer and wished he could be by her side. She wanted him to go to where she and husband Luc lived in Provence but would understand if he would prefer to leave her. Manon died soon after the writing after the letter. Perdu was guilty and devastated. He realized he was the one who had abandoned his love and not vice versa. On a wimp, he decided to unanchor his barge and sail to Provence. He was soon joined by some eccentric characters and had a few adventures here and there, and after settling down in Sanary, he began his journey to recovery. The story had a happy ending, with Perdu finding love again in his new neighbour, and his two other eccentric companions on the barge finding love as well. 

The story is so corny that I could barely read it. 

1.5/5