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jansbookcorner's review
2.0
I didn't connect to the story or the characters. I'm sure there were things lost in translation. A short book and I plodded through but at times wondered why.
book_concierge's review
3.0
Audiobook read by Emma Bering.
Marianne is 60 years old and feels trapped in a loveless marriage. On a trip to Paris with her husband she decides she has had enough and walks out of dinner intent on throwing herself into the Seine. Running away from it all she winds up in Britanny and finds a community of friends who embrace her and help her find her inner strengths. And love.
I was not a big fan of George’s previous hit - The Little Paris Bookshop - but, like that earlier title, this was a selection for my F2F book group. So here I am again.
It’s an okay story and there are some moments that are really tender and enjoyable. But mostly I found it just ‘meh.’ The whole Celtic Druid connection didn’t work for me at all. However, I did like how Marianne eventually comes to take charge of her life. There’s one scene in a church confessional that is particularly entertaining!
George also peoples the town with a variety of residents, all of whom seem to have some story of love gone wrong. And some of these side stories are very entertaining.
Emma Bering does a marvelous job performing the audio. She sets a good pace and has a pleasant voice. She has many accents to deal with and really shines voicing the many characters, bringing all their individual characteristics and quirks to life. I was never confused about who was speaking.
Marianne is 60 years old and feels trapped in a loveless marriage. On a trip to Paris with her husband she decides she has had enough and walks out of dinner intent on throwing herself into the Seine. Running away from it all she winds up in Britanny and finds a community of friends who embrace her and help her find her inner strengths. And love.
I was not a big fan of George’s previous hit - The Little Paris Bookshop - but, like that earlier title, this was a selection for my F2F book group. So here I am again.
It’s an okay story and there are some moments that are really tender and enjoyable. But mostly I found it just ‘meh.’ The whole Celtic Druid connection didn’t work for me at all. However, I did like how Marianne eventually comes to take charge of her life. There’s one scene in a church confessional that is particularly entertaining!
George also peoples the town with a variety of residents, all of whom seem to have some story of love gone wrong. And some of these side stories are very entertaining.
Emma Bering does a marvelous job performing the audio. She sets a good pace and has a pleasant voice. She has many accents to deal with and really shines voicing the many characters, bringing all their individual characteristics and quirks to life. I was never confused about who was speaking.
lovelymisanthrope's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I received a copy of this book as a gift.
"The Little French Bistro" follows Marianne. Marianne is 41-years-old and has had enough of her unhappy life. She feels stuck, so she decides to take matters into her own hands. When she arrives at the coast of Brittany, she meets a whole cast of new people to help her (hopefully) find her spark again.
This book was sad and thoughtful, but also sweet and inspiring. I think most people can say that they relate to Marianne at some point in their life, when they are just desperate for a change. Marianne makes extreme decisions because her life feels out of control, but she ultimately ends up somewhere better. I did really appreciate Marianne's character arch and how she grows as a character.
There was something about the tone of the novel that made the writing difficult for me to get into. I felt slightly removed from the story and not as invested as I could have been.
This book was very okay, and I would still be curious to pick up more from Nina George in the future.
"The Little French Bistro" follows Marianne. Marianne is 41-years-old and has had enough of her unhappy life. She feels stuck, so she decides to take matters into her own hands. When she arrives at the coast of Brittany, she meets a whole cast of new people to help her (hopefully) find her spark again.
This book was sad and thoughtful, but also sweet and inspiring. I think most people can say that they relate to Marianne at some point in their life, when they are just desperate for a change. Marianne makes extreme decisions because her life feels out of control, but she ultimately ends up somewhere better. I did really appreciate Marianne's character arch and how she grows as a character.
There was something about the tone of the novel that made the writing difficult for me to get into. I felt slightly removed from the story and not as invested as I could have been.
This book was very okay, and I would still be curious to pick up more from Nina George in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
sydney_jane's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
haffina's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As an older reader it was nice to read a story about someone closer to my own age. A relaxing, enjoyable read with some lovely descriptions of the Breton region.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Suicide
vic_tori's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
cstaude's review against another edition
5.0
“After all, it’s life that carries the greatest risk of death, so wouldn’t it better to do some living first?”
And with quotes like that, Nina George carries on as a voice worth reading for me! What a great novel! Her newest protagonist, Marieanne, is compelling on so many levels. For me, not the least of these reasons is that she is 60! However, since none of us ever feels in the inside the same ages as our bodies on the outside, I appreciated the manner in which George built the story of this remarkable woman and her even more remarkable supporting cast!
To sum it all up, Brittany, is now on my travel list as a must-see spot in the world!!!
And with quotes like that, Nina George carries on as a voice worth reading for me! What a great novel! Her newest protagonist, Marieanne, is compelling on so many levels. For me, not the least of these reasons is that she is 60! However, since none of us ever feels in the inside the same ages as our bodies on the outside, I appreciated the manner in which George built the story of this remarkable woman and her even more remarkable supporting cast!
To sum it all up, Brittany, is now on my travel list as a must-see spot in the world!!!
xmasaddict99's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0