Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book. 1. If you created your own floating specialty shop like the Literary Apothecary, what would you sell and how would it help others heal? 2. Imagine reorganizing your favorite books according to their emotional impact rather than by genre, as Perdu does in his bookshop. Which books would you put together? 3. What entry would you contribute to Perdu’s encyclopedia that describes a feeling without a single word to name it? Need more inspiration for your next meeting? <a href="https://www.supersummary.com/resources/#book-club-resources" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Browse all of our Book Club Resources</a>

Creative Engagement

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book. 1. The protagonist’s name, Jean Perdu, translates to “John Lost” in English. In what ways did you see him transform from “lost” to “found” throughout his journey? 2. How does The Little Paris Bookshop compare to other novels about healing journeys like Elizabeth Gilbert’s <a href="https://www.supersummary.com/eat-pray-love/summary/?searchId=12a19ea6-3a96-4197-85b3-dbf380f9413b&amp;searchPosition=4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Eat Pray Love</a> or Paulo Coelho’s <a href="https://www.supersummary.com/the-alchemist/summary/?searchId=291ae1ac-4f78-4e9e-b20f-01de4563b237&amp;searchPosition=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Alchemist</a>? 3. What did you think about Perdu’s concept of being a “literary apothecary” who prescribes books like medicine for emotional ailments?

General Impressions

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism. 1. What purpose do the excerpts from Manon’s travel diary serve in developing the narrative and your understanding of her character? 2. Analyze how the “Lavender Room” functions as both a literal space and a metaphor for Perdu’s emotional state. 3. Which entries in Perdu’s Encyclopedia of Small Emotions did you find most compelling? How did this entry reflect the key themes in the novel? 4. Fear appears throughout the novel as a response to loss and grief. How do different characters’ reactions to fear affect their development? 5. The motif of light appears throughout the novel, especially in Manon imagining herself becoming light after death. What does this symbolism contribute to your understanding of love and loss in the story?

Literary Analysis

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences. 1. Perdu walls off the “Lavender Room” for 21 years to avoid confronting his grief. What physical or emotional barriers have you created to protect yourself from painful memories? 2. Which sensory pleasure in the novel—from Cuneo’s cooking to swimming in the Mediterranean—reminded you of your own healing experiences? 3. The novel explores various types of love through Samy’s descriptions of physical attraction, logical connection, and heart-centered love. Which of these distinctions resonates most with your own experiences? 4. When have you experienced a missed opportunity or misunderstanding that significantly altered your life’s trajectory? 5. Who in your life has demonstrated “transperception”—Perdu’s ability to read a person and know exactly what they need? 6. When have you experienced a creative block similar to Max’s, and what helped you overcome it?

Personal Reflection and Connection

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes. 1. What does the contrast between Parisian city life and the countryside of Provence reveal about the divide between rural and urban living in France? 2. The French canal system in the novel represents a slower, more contemplative mode of travel. How does this system serve the different characters in the novel? What is the novel suggesting about the place of canal life in modern times?&nbsp; 3. The traditions of Provence, including the 13 Christmas desserts and the mistral winds, play significant roles in the novel’s conclusion. What do these cultural elements reveal about French tradition and community?

Societal and Cultural Context

Humanities

Books & Literature

Literary Area of Study

French Literature

Emotions & Behavior

Grief

Life & Time

Mortality & Death

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Fiction

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Romance

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Valentine's Day Reads: The Theme of Love

Nina George

Transl. Simon Pare

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Novel

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Before You Read

Explore The Little Paris Bookshop reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Little Paris Bookshop | SuperSummary

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Overview

Get ready to explore The Little Paris Bookshop and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

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Background

The Little Paris Bookshop Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-9

The Little Paris Bookshop Chapters 1-9 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 10-18

The Little Paris Bookshop Chapters 10-18 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 19-27

The Little Paris Bookshop Chapters 19-27 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 28-36

The Little Paris Bookshop Chapters 28-36 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 37-Epilogue

The Little Paris Bookshop Chapter 37-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

The Little Paris Bookshop Character Analysis

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Symbols & Motifs

The Little Paris Bookshop Symbols & Motifs

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Book Club Questions

The Little Paris Bookshop Book Club Questions

The Little Paris Bookshop

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