La lettre oubliée

Jean Perdu runs a floating bookshop on a barge on the Seine, which he calls his literary apothecary, because he prescribes books to cure the sorrows of his customers. He has no remedy for his own, however: twenty years ago, his lover Manon left him a letter, which he never read. When a new neighbor, Catherine, reveals the letter, he finally opens it and sets off in the barge down the rivers of France toward Provence. Along the way, he is joined by a young author, Max Jordan, and learns more about Manon and himself. Nina George mixes love story, travelogue, and meditation on grief.

It suits readers who love books about books, and those who like gentle French fiction.

Inward-looking and clear-cut; an easy read.

Best for readers like The Curious Generalist. Which reader are you?