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midwifereading's review against another edition
2.0
Reminder - the stars aren't a reflection of the quality of the author's work, only a reflection of whether or not this book was really for me. Because the author writes beautifully. The book has a wistful, melancholy, and sensual tone that is lyrical and moving, in my opinion.
I think my rating may come more from unmet expectations, rather than anything else. While the premise prepared me for some romance, I expected the books to be far more central, but the Literary Apothecary turned out to be simply an interesting means of moving the plot forward.
And the book "prescribed" for him turns out to be unimportant to the plot, really, except the connection between names. Disappointing, to say the least.
This book is less plot driven, and much more a character study, especially regarding what it means to wrestle with regrets, grief, and the process of healing. All of these are well-written, and the author weaves interesting likeable characters that are each grieving something in various degrees. Another plus, many of them are middle-aged, including the main character, Jean. That's always nice for me now that I'm in my middle age years, though I have no objection to young people being the center and driver of a story.
***SPOILER***
However. I didn't like the main character. Or his first love, who are at the center of the story. Call me old-fashioned, but I have never been able to root for adultery as a love story. Never. Fidelity is important. And I just cannot cheer on a so-called true love when it's behind the back of a good man (or woman) who really is faithful. Just, no.
That said, if you enjoy romance, beautiful writing, books, France, and emotional journeys taken in a very physical way through a beautiful countryside, you will probably love this book. It really is quite lovely, which is why I decided to grit my teeth and finish it. It was worth finishing.
I wanted to love it. Very much. The writing is sensual, vivid, and gorgeous. It just isn't for me.
I think my rating may come more from unmet expectations, rather than anything else. While the premise prepared me for some romance, I expected the books to be far more central, but the Literary Apothecary turned out to be simply an interesting means of moving the plot forward.
And the book "prescribed" for him turns out to be unimportant to the plot, really, except the connection between names. Disappointing, to say the least.
This book is less plot driven, and much more a character study, especially regarding what it means to wrestle with regrets, grief, and the process of healing. All of these are well-written, and the author weaves interesting likeable characters that are each grieving something in various degrees. Another plus, many of them are middle-aged, including the main character, Jean. That's always nice for me now that I'm in my middle age years, though I have no objection to young people being the center and driver of a story.
***SPOILER***
However. I didn't like the main character. Or his first love, who are at the center of the story. Call me old-fashioned, but I have never been able to root for adultery as a love story. Never. Fidelity is important. And I just cannot cheer on a so-called true love when it's behind the back of a good man (or woman) who really is faithful. Just, no.
That said, if you enjoy romance, beautiful writing, books, France, and emotional journeys taken in a very physical way through a beautiful countryside, you will probably love this book. It really is quite lovely, which is why I decided to grit my teeth and finish it. It was worth finishing.
I wanted to love it. Very much. The writing is sensual, vivid, and gorgeous. It just isn't for me.
lisanne98s's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-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
3.0
andchiang's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
cate07luna's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jessversteeg's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ow that was quite a book. Not at all what I expected. I thought it would be a cutesie story of a man who gave books to people to help them. It’s that, but not cute. It’s a literary and poetic treatise to love lost too soon, it’s about that grief and getting through it, about healing and finding the other side.
In some ways it’s like the adult (not like 18+ adult 😉) version of Words in Deep Blue, but it’s also deeply French. So French!
The way it talks about love, the emotions, sensations, etc. is the opposite of a trashy romance. This book has 3 men at the center that treat their great loves as sacred.
Anyways, I gave it 3 stars because it dragged a bit for me around 60-80% finished. It’s a great book, but one you have to be prepared for.
This is not a bookshop meet-cute romance set in Parisl!!
In some ways it’s like the adult (not like 18+ adult 😉) version of Words in Deep Blue, but it’s also deeply French. So French!
The way it talks about love, the emotions, sensations, etc. is the opposite of a trashy romance. This book has 3 men at the center that treat their great loves as sacred.
Anyways, I gave it 3 stars because it dragged a bit for me around 60-80% finished. It’s a great book, but one you have to be prepared for.
This is not a bookshop meet-cute romance set in Parisl!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Grief
Moderate: Death
Minor: Cancer
hollyarchi's review against another edition
reflective
slow-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
2.75
alicebme's review against another edition
2.0
Book club with mom. My pick. All about the journey sort of book.
mrsasimmons11516's review against another edition
I'm just so bored. And the writing feels so complicated when it really isn't. Idk. It's like it wants to sound super smart or something.....I just don't care. I don't really enjoy the main characters.