Books: Love Letters

Published 8:35 am Friday, October 2, 2015

THE LITTLE PARIS BOOKSHOP By Nina George, Crown $25

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Monsieur Jean Perdu sells books from a converted barge docked on Paris’ Seine River dubbed the “Literary Apothecary.” From here his prescience allows him to diagnose ill patrons and expertly prescribe the cure with the perfect book from “La Pharmacie Litteraire.” Unfortunately, Perdu cannot cure the pain he himself suffers since Manon, the woman he loved, left him suddenly 20 years before. She left behind only a sealed letter that he has stubbornly refused to read. That is, until a new woman, Catherine, comes into his life and convinces him to open and read it. The letter devastates Perdu as Manon confesses her love for him, that she is ill, and pleads with him to come to her in Avignon. Even 20 years have passed Perdu impulsively undocks his barge and steers southward joined by Max, a young bestselling author suffering writer’s block and Cuneo, a lovelorn chef. Together they find unexpected companionship in the villages and towns of southern France still not knowing if Perdu can shed his grief for Manon and embrace life again.