On his way to see his son for the first time in years, Henri Skimmer steps into the road without looking and ends up in a coma. He is rushed to a nearby hospital where he floats between dreams and memories. By the bestselling author of The Little Paris Bookshop and The Little French Bistro.
These are three remarkable characters that you will remember and think about long after you’ve finished The Book of Dreams ... Henri’s narratives provide the greatest challenge to readers, as they tend to be repetitive and to offer alternate outcomes for past memories ... The novel is extremely easy to read, in part thanks to the translation by Simon Pare, which is flawless and transparent ... a sensitive, insightful exploration of the emotional landscapes of George’s characters. It’s also a thought-provoking consideration of what it’s like to cross the shadowy topography between life and death, to watch the sun go down at the world’s end, and to follow loved ones as they navigate the alternate futures that lie ahead of them.
... George crafts an empathetic and emotionally stunning novel. Never preachy or maudlin, this deep dive into some of life’s most haunting questions will appeal to fans of Isabel Allende and Mary Simses.
... the narrative moves at a gentle pace, often mimicking the repetitiveness that is borne of repeated visits to a sick room. The author uses Henri’s evolving mental state to explore possible states of existence and a shifting continuum of consciousness that occupies the spectrum between life and death. Although the story seems to stall at points, it raises interesting existential questions about the purpose and definition of life. Through the challenges and losses that each character endures, the author conducts an effective exploration of connections that transcend physical boundaries ... A slow-moving but poignant story about longing, nostalgia, and the pain of missed opportunities.
