The Most Beautiful Book in the World

The Most Beautiful Book in the World:  Eight Novellas by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt, translated by Alison Anderson

Published:  2009 by Europa Editions

Source:  Purchased

  I am by no means an expert about books, especially about books in translation; but since I do read a lot I am often asked by friends and colleagues to suggest something to read.  If I am ever asked to suggest a book in translation for someone who has not read one before, I will tell them to pick up The Most Beautiful Book in the World.  Immediately.

  Though the title of this collection comes from one of its stories (side note: they are referred to as novellas, but their length suggests short stories to me), it is an apt description for the entire book.  Each story is quite different, but all of them are engaging and - for me anyway - take you from happiness to sadness and back again all within a few pages.  Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt does an amazing job of creating interesting and identifiable female characters as well.  Several times I found myself in a story, because I could completely relate to the situation being faced.

  I can't claim a favorite story in this book because I really and truly enjoyed them all.  The good thing about a short story collection is that you can dip in and out as you have time; but I raced through all eight in an afternoon, and I know I will return to them.

  Highly recommended.

A Novel Bookstore by Laurence Cosse

  The premise of A Novel Bookstore is a book-lover's dream -- two bibliophiles decide to establish a bookstore in Paris that sells only "good" novels as selected by a secret committee of eight literary figures.  It is a great success -- book lovers flock to The Good Novel to find quality literature that is seemingly lacking in other bookstores.  However, someone has it in for the venture; writing op-ed pieces denouncing the store's elitist attitude, exposing the owners' secret and not-so-secret pasts.  Three of the committee members are then attacked, and the fate of the bookstore is called into question.

  Unfortunately, the mystery of the attacks (and a weak romance) doesn't do much for the story, which otherwise is a great celebration of books and reading and their positive effects:

You have just confirmed to me that one of the most fortunate purposes of literature is to bring like-minded people together and get them talking.

  The city of Paris also shines in this novel, and if I didn't already have an intense desire to make a return visit, I would definitely have it after reading this. 

  I have to say that I am a big fan of the book's publisher, Europa Editions.  This is the third book I have read from their catalog (The Elegance of the Hedgehog and Gourmet Rhapsody, both by Muriel Barbery, are the others) and I have several others on my to-read pile.  I love that they are providing American readers with European literature in translation.  It would be great to be able to read these books in their original languages, but Europa Editions provides us with an acceptable alternative.

(ps I've purchased their books on my own)