Europa - 9/28/2021
In A Single Rose, we meet Rose, a 40 year old French woman and botanist. She's a woman who never knew her Japanese father. Rose is not a happy woman, her mother has long suffered from depression and Rose has never seemed to know what love is all about. Now after a phone call from a lawyer, Rose finds herself headed to Kyoto for a reading of the last will of her now late father, Haru, a former art dealer. Needless to say Rose is a little more than apprehensive about the whole ordeal. She has been advised that her father's assistant, Paul, a widower, will meet her and guide her around.
Once in Japan she learns that her father has left a specific itinerary of things to do and places to visit before the reading of the will. There are long walks, lush gardens to be seen, temples to visit, Zen gardens, bars, restaurants, and so much more. There are also many people to meet, people who were important in her father's life. Through this well drawn road map which her father left behind Rose will begin to understand more about the man she never knew but, there is something more we begin to see a connection between Rose and Paul as well.
This book was roughly 160 pages and so different from any of the other books I've read by this author. I was happy I tried it but, it's not a book that every reader will like. The story is dripping with imagery throughout, most of the details are lush and painted a lovely picture as I read but, I found the writing style a bit too flowery, too overdone and too poetic for my taste. It's the kind of story that can overwhelm the senses at times - at least that happened with me.
Rating - 3.5/5 stars
An eGalley of this book was provided at no cost to me by Europa Editions and Edelweiss in exchange for my unbiased review.
Although the cover is beautiful, it is the kind that indicates implies romance, which I don't usually read. However, I am intrigued by the instructions of what to do and see before reading the will. The flowery writing style may not be to my taste, either. Undecided.
ReplyDeleteI didn't love the writing all that much.
DeleteA book called A Single Rose has writing that is "too flowery"? I love that! But I'm not sure I would love this book.
ReplyDeleteNo I agree and you could tell where the story was headed as well.
DeleteI like the idea of her father having left a trail of places for her to see, almost like a pilgrimage. And I can handle flowery language up to a point. It's good this one's so short, or I'd never even attempt it.
ReplyDeleteliked that part but, then the details and writing was overwrought.
DeleteActually your post is confirming my desire to read it. And I just found it the French in audiobook, so thanks for reminding me of it. Actually the French synopsis is so much deeper. I so love her writing style, with each word weighed upon
ReplyDeleteEmma, I will be curious to read your thoughts. The reviews have been quite mixed.
DeleteI'm afraid I wouldn't have the patience for this one, even as short as it is.
ReplyDeleteSam, I just have a feeling you would not like this one -- at all.
DeleteI like the premise of her having to do certain things before the reading of the will but if I do get to it, I'll be keeping my expectations in check.
ReplyDeleteI thought the idea of the itinerary was neat and was a way to let her know about the father she never knew - just did not care for the writing.
DeleteQuite a short book. Her Hedgehog novel had some interesting parts to it but I will likely skip this one. Nicely reviewed.
ReplyDeleteYes, I read the hedgehog an a few others and even though this was quite short, it just didn't work well for me.
DeleteThe story of the father leaving a trail of his life as it were for his daughter to follow up was an intriguing aspect. The book was declined for me on Netgalley and is not on the Kindle version on Amazon. I will be making a note of this one. Thank you for the review.
ReplyDeleteThe book releases here in US tomorrow.
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