Book Review: The Library of Unrequited Love by Sophie Divry

The Library of Unrequited Love by Sophie Divry, published by MacLehose Press (2 Jan 2014)

Here’s the blurb:

One morning a librarian finds a reader who has been locked in overnight.

She begins to talk to him, a one-way conversation full of sharp insight and quiet outrage. As she rails against snobbish senior colleagues, an ungrateful and ignorant public, the strictures of the Dewey Decimal System and the sinister expansionist conspiracies of the books themselves, two things shine through: her unrequited passion for a researcher named Martin, and an ardent and absolute love for the arts.

A delightful divertissement for the discerning bookworm…

I had seen this in my local bookshop and nearly picked it up a few times. Translated by Siân Reynolds from the french novel, it’s not a long book at 91 pages so it didn’t take long for me to read. I wasn’t sure what to make of it at first. The main character, the librarian, is having a conversation with a man who has been locked in the library overnight and gradually, as the book progresses, you learn more about her view of the world, her thoughts and her feelings toward someone called Martin. You never hear the responses from the man – the narrative is a one way conversation; it’s all from the librarian’s point of view. 

I am not sure what to make of this book despite having finished reading it a few days ago. There are no chapters, it’s one continuous story. The style took a while to get used to. However, there were moments where I was nodding my head in agreement, laughing and feeling sad. I found myself in some parts wanting to have some sort of response from the man but at the same time, i think it would have ruined it somehow. 

It’s very much a unique book and if you do get a chance to read it, I recommend it. Yes, it is unusual and a little quirky but it’s one of a kind and a great debut from the author. 

It’s available in paperback and e-book. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.