literature | A French Collection

The Beekeeper’s Promise: Book Review

The Beekeeper’s Promise by Fiona Valpy

Fiona Valpy expertly takes the reader into two worlds divided by seventy years in her best seller, The Beekeeper's Promise. Through clever narration she is able to set the differences in time and culture from the period of 1938 to present day. At the same time by highlighting the differences Valpy also reveals that over time and space much of what makes up an individual’s humanity remains essentially unaltered.

This book explores many themes; love and loss, loyalty and betrayal even domestic violence. On the face of it, one could be forgiven for thinking Valpy has tried to do too much, to tackle too many issues. However, her writing is skilled and she sensitively explores events by simply telling the story. She resists the temptation to moralise allowing her characters to live out their circumstances with sincerity.

The Red Notebook: Book Review

The Red Notebook with Paris bookshop owner Laurent Letellier

The story of Paris bookshop owner, Laurent Letellier, starts when he finds a woman’s handbag on the street and becomes obsessed with finding the owner. There is however no identifying information about the handbag’s owner other than a dry cleaning ticket and a small red notebook full of handwritten thoughts and jottings.

This red notebook with its personal jottings and drawings reveals a personality that appeals to Letellier and to whom he would very much like to meet. How will he ever find this one woman in a city of millions though?

The story which follows his detecting, is quirky, fun, and a little romantic. Thankfully for Laure (who has met with an unfortunate accident) Laurent is persistent and takes care of the loose ends in her life, like feeding her cat, while she recuperates in hospital unaware of his help. Laurent, who I liken to a stylish Parisian good Samaritan, continues in his search for the owner of the bag and women he would like to meet.

A Parisian Lifestyle

The Red Notebook is a pleasant, good read with snippets of the Parisian way of life exposed. With only 159 pages this book is a great choice for a rainy week, or long weekend holiday.

Do you jot down messages, notes or draw pictures in a notebook? I always have a notebook in my handbag to catch my ideas and write the little stuff that I am prone to forget.

What Does Your Handbag Reveal?

I got to thinking about the contents of a handbag or computer bag and what it reveals about the owner. At any one time it is a snapshot of who we are and what we are doing. What an interesting research project to collect this information about a group of people, rather like a local census.

Other Books Set in Paris or France

Another book written by Antoine Laurain is The President’s Hat and for more books set in Paris or France you might like to read these further book reviews:

The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

One Sip At A Time by part time Frenchman Keith Van Sickle

The Matchmaker of Périgord by Julia Stuart

My Good Life in France by Janine Marsh of The Good Life

The Little Breton Bistro by Nina George

PIN FOR LATER

Annette Charlton

Annette lives with her family between their homes in France and Australia. She’s been featured in International magazines including French Property News, on numerous blogs and travel websites and appeared on ABC National Radio. You can connect on Instagram or Facebook.

www.afrenchcollection.com

My Inspiration Booklist: 4 Mini Book Reviews

House with shutters in Provence, France

Inspirational Books on Moving To and Living in France

Living in France sounds a dream for those of us who were not born there and to think of packing up and relocating, even for a short time, makes our heart flutter. For some, taking action on this and actually relocating is a reality and often their dream is inspired by reading of the adventures of others who have taken on this challenge.

Everyone has a different story to tell they say. Cliche? Maybe, but I still think this is true.

For me, my bookcase now overflows with books on France, people of France, maps and language resources but the books that started me on our journey of buying a second home in France and then living between my homes in Australia and Brittany was these four. Holding a special place in my heart I now share them with you and how they changed my life.

Annette Charlton

www.afrenchcollection.com

The Little Paris Bookshop: Book Review

The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George is a fictional work set in Paris featuring the Parisian bookseller Monsieur Jean Perdu and his floating barge book store.

I read a lot and especially love reading historical books on France, biographies of French people and fictional books set in France and Paris. I also don’t seem to be able to resist travel memoirs or journals and cute sassy French lifestyle books.

Annette Charlton

www.afrenchcollection.com

Eiffel’s Tower: A Historical Story – Book Review

Wow, what a feast of superb historical storytelling book Eiffel’s Tower: A Historical Story by author Jill Jonnes is. The book is described as The Thrilling Story Behind Paris’ Beloved Monument and the Extraordinary World’s Fair That Introduced It.

Follow the incredible story of Gustave Eiffel and his struggles to design, seek approval and then build the now iconic symbol of Paris – the amazing Eiffel Tower. I promise you will never ever see Paris and France in the same light again. after reading this book.

Annette Charlton