The
novel explores two concepts that are cleverly interwoven. First, the power and
mystery of love. Second, the power of books and the written word. Strangely,
both have the power to heal, inspire and connect us with our deepest emotions
and desires. (Review by Carol King)
‘If Love is the poetry of the senses, books are the poetry of the impossible.’
It is around these words that the actions of this novel Nina George are woven.
Marie-Jeanne has had a tough start to life. With her mother dead, she is in the care of her grandmother. However, while still in her cradle, Marie-Jeanne loses her grandmother. She is left in the care of Love (by whom the story is told), the olive tree (which offers wise words) and her foster-parents, Francis and Elsa.
At a young age, Marie-Jeanne discovers she has a special gift – she sees the sparks of love (not lust!) in people’s faces and hands. She then uses this gift, in an unusual way, to bring soulmates together. This she does while searching for her own true love.
Francis, her foster-father, starts up a lending library in the village and surrounding areas. Marie-Jeanne accompanies him on his visits and this allows her to meet different people and see how relationships falter (even when people love each other). It also allows her to read, read, read. The books open up worlds of possibility to Marie-Jeanne and the locals. Most of the locals have had no time or inclination to read and they view books with suspicion (because they can bring about change and they can make people think beyond their everyday lives).
The novel explores two concepts that are cleverly interwoven. First, the power and mystery of love. Second, the power of books and the written word. Strangely, both have the power to heal, inspire and connect us with our deepest emotions and desires.
The story is set in Nyons – a small village in Provence – which is surrounded by four mountains and fairly cut off from the outside world. There are vivid descriptions of the landscape and the local cuisine, as well as the characters (who are three-dimensional and to whom the reader can easily relate).
The novel is different to the novels I usually choose to read. It is slow-paced and character-driven – but this allows the reader to look at their own loves and relationships with new eyes and possibly a new understanding. There is a sense of mystery and magic about Marie-Jeanne’s special gift – and really, the same is true about love and books. It took me a while to get into the novel but I am glad I persevered.
It is not easy to put the novel into a category. It is a romance – with Love and books. It is a mystery. It also seems, at times, fantastical.
Some
favourite quotes:
‘”My dear Francis,
books are not for cowards.”’
‘”Love is. It exists. It is here. That much is
certain. We don’t know anything more about it and we cannot describe it.”’
‘”That’s how to read –
like a butterfly. It flutters around aimlessly until suddenly it stumbles upon
an uncharted paradise. Don’t listen to your teacher about what you should and
shouldn’t have read. Never be arrogant about certain books. Be a butterfly!”’
‘”Books are the last
alchemy of our age. They make anything possible. Anything.”’
‘Falling in love is
when two people can’t stop looking at each other.
Being in love is when
two people look in the same direction.’
The
Little French Village Of Book Lovers
is published by PenguinRandomHouse South Africa. ISBN 9780241436615 - Carol King
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