The Little French Bistro by Nina George

I’ll stay with the Comic Sans type font; it is appropriate for this delightful story. This book is only recently out in translation, summer 2017, although first published in Germany in 2010.  The 7-year gap to English reflects last year’s popularity of a translation of “The Little Paris Bookshop” first published in 2013 as “Das Lavendelzimmer”.

This is an enjoyable read.  The plotline is simple and her characters are big and bold.  This was the lead in book to -Paris Bookshop-.  She has developed her writing talents noticibly between the two books.

The author of this Bistro book has incorporated throughout a strong feminist viewpoint: self-actualization, powerful roles, gender co-support.  She goes as far as the lady of the lake and mystical/spiritual powers.

There are many plot lines: the protagonist’s coming of age (60), many love relationships, food, art, the sea, and love 'toujours l'amour'.

This book has interesting take-aways: knowledge of the Breton coastline of Brittany, its Welsh-type language, its Celtic history and links to Merlin and King Arthur, lots of cooking tips and recipes.

A book that makes the reader laugh and cry.