Date: April 2017
Format: Trade Paperback
Pages:292
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Thanks to Hachette NZ
Rating:
Marianne Messman longs to escape her loveless marriage to an uncaring husband - an artillery sergeant major named Luther. On a day trip to Paris, Marianne decides to leap off the Point Neuf into the Seine, but she is saved and while recovering in hospital comes across a painting of the tine port town of Kerdruc in Brittany and decides to try her luck on the coast.
Have you ever been desperate enough to want to escape life? To throw yourself in the Seine and end it all! No? Well Marianne does, life has passed her by, she is deeply unhappy and sees no other way out. However when her effort to bring her sad life to a close is thwarted by a stranger she eventually finds herself on the way to Brittany and possibly ready to listen to herself and her own needs and desires.
The more I read on in this story the more I was captivated by Marianne and the people she meets up with. I loved them all and especially Emile and Pascal - one who suffers from Parkinson's and the other from Dementia but ... they are happy and love each other.
I felt like I was there in Brittany, in the cafe, by the sea amongst the various characters. I loved seeing Marianne uncovering the things she loves and needs, the people she loves and needs. I read this book over Easter and truly if there was ever a book about death and resurrection this was it. Such an important message to us all, to live who we truly are, without worrying about what others think.
While this may have been about a woman who needed to bring alive the powers within her, the men in the story are not left out, they too need to have the courage to live out their wildest dreams. I did despair that Jean-Remy, a young chef, would ever get there and claim his love...
Ultimately an uplifting and life affirming story that I'll remember for a long while.
Sounds good. Life is not constant; we change as the years go by. I like it when a woman character has to reinvent herself and steps up on a higher plane.
ReplyDeleteIt feels like I have seen the first book at the library, hmmm, must check
ReplyDeleteThis one sounds great!
ReplyDeleteSounds good Kathryn, looks like they changed the name in US to The LIttle French Bistro I think I'll put this on my list!
ReplyDeleteI love the sound of this one, and it is going on my list. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSounds marvelous!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, and I like the line about live our life and don't worry about what others think.
Thanks, Kathryn.
I think this is the first time I've seen this one. It does sound like an interesting read. I love when I really feel like I'm there with them.
ReplyDeleteI ended up DNFing The Little Paris Bookshop by George because the main character drove me crazy but this sounds much different. I love the setting and the sound of this one. I love a book where the character really finds themselves.
ReplyDeleteI love uplifting stories with life lessons especially if there is cooking and food involved :)
ReplyDeleteGreat story. I love the message, 'be who you are without worrying of what others think.' What a powerful message. The one I'm still struggling to do in my personal life. :(
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Kathryn. Awesome review. :)
Seems very interesting, especially since it looks like there's a multitude of diverse characters. I look forward to picking up the book soon.
ReplyDeleteI've had my eye on this one, and I'm thrilled you loved it! I want to read it now even more.
ReplyDeleteThis cover is so pretty. The initial despair of this book seems sounds quite heavy. Though, it ends with an uplifting and life-affirming ending that I would love. Thank you for your thoughts, Kathryn.
ReplyDeleteLonna @ FLYLēF
I enjoyed The Little Paris bookshop by N George so I would probably like this one too. Sounds like it's in similar vein. I like that it's uplifting. :)
ReplyDeleteDinh at Arlene's Book Club