The Little French Village of Book Lovers: A Life-Changing Encounter

I love a little magic and The Little French Village of Book Lovers by Nina George delivers with such charm and heart that it captivates the reader from the very first page. One of the most striking aspects of the novel is the way in which it is narrated. Love is personified as a character, and their observations and insights are woven seamlessly into the narrative. This unique perspective adds an extra layer of depth to the story, and helps to create a sense of magic and wonder that permeates the entire book. Love tells the story of Marie-Jeanne, a young orphan who is forever changed by a chance encounter with the entity.

As Marie-Jeanne grows older, she finds herself helping her foster father, Francis, set up a mobile library that travels through the small mountain towns of the south of France. With every stop, Marie-Jeanne is able to see the marks that Love has left on the people around her, and she begins to understand the power of love and the magic of books. And she begins to act as a matchmaker.

George’s writing is lyrical and poetic, weaving together the beauty of the French countryside with the transformative power of literature.

Part treatise on love:

“Hearts, you see, are like beautiful, perfectly glazed earthenware cups at first, but over the years they get cracked and nicked. Hearts break once, twice, repeatedly, and each time you do your best to put them back together again, trying to live with the wounds, patching them up with hope and tears.”
― Nina George, The Little Village of Book Lovers

Part anthem to the power of books:

“Books turn people into time travelers, shape shifters, body switchers, mind readers, and immortals, and therefore books are the last great alchemy of our age.”
― Nina George, The Little Village of Book Lovers

The Little French Village of Book Lovers is a celebration of books, reading, and the joy that can be found in the simple pleasures of life.

According to Publishers Weekly, George’s novel is “charming”. Booklist weighs in with a weighty quote: “This spin-off of George’s beloved The Little Paris Bookshop—this is the book within that one—is narrated by omniscient and powerful representations of abstract concepts, with Love, Pride, and Fate all weighing in, and this creative framing adds to its considerable charm. George pays particular attention to the romantic potential of the everyday—those mundane events that can spark new feelings in anyone hoping for a chance at love. Fans . . . will adore George’s latest exploration of life, love, and destiny.”

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy a whimsical and romantic story that celebrates the power of love and literature.