Synopses & Reviews
In this #1 international bestseller, a young woman leaves everything behind to work as a librarian in a remote French village, where she finds her outlook on life and love challenged in every way.
When Miss Prim, an independent, accomplished young woman, reads an ad in the newspaper seeking a feminine spirit to work as a librarian in the lush countryside of France, she finds herself compelled to apply. Little does she know what kind of world she is about to step into…
Miss Prim dutifully accepts the job and begins organizing her employer’s vast library. A knowledgeable, mysterious gentleman with very specific opinions about life, he challenges Miss Prim’s seemingly unshakeable disposition. And as she becomes familiar with the other townspeople, she begins to realize that the surprising lifestyle of the town awakens amazement, perplexity, and even disdain in her. For in this tiny corner of the world, a flourishing colony of exiles have settled into a simple, rural existence, living around great literature, intellectual discussions, family, and sweet indulgences. Their peculiar and unconventional ways slowly test Miss Prim’s most intimate ideas and fears as well as her most profound convictions. She quickly comes to realize that her advanced degrees did little to prepare her for the lessons she’s being taught—the least of which is a lesson in love.
Set against a backdrop of steaming cups of tea, freshly baked cakes, warm fires, and lovely company, The Awakening of Miss Prim is a delightful, thought-provoking, and sensitive novel that gives rise to theories about love and companionship, education, and the beauty of every passing moment.
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“An exquisitely delicate, distinctive and inspiring story that will leave your heart undone, open to the beauty of the little things in life.” Elle (Spain)
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“This charming and intelligent debut novel is certain to be a hit.” Library Journal, Starred Review
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“The Awakening of Miss Prim is a beautifully written novel. Its characters are brought to life so eloquently, and the blossoming of Miss Prim is so complete: she learns the value in life and love that has been lost in our modern-day hustle. An exquisite book and a joy to read.” Deborah Rodriguez
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"A heart-warming and sweet story of small-town life and self-discovery.”
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“The Awakening of Miss Prim reminds me of The Elegance of the Hedgehog.”
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“Readers who loved Joanne Harris's Chocolat, Jessica Brockmole's Letters from Skye or Gabrielle Zevin's The Collected Works of AJ Fikry will be charmed by the blossoming of Miss Prim. Already a bestseller in Europe, this charming and intelligent debut novel is certain to be a hit with book groups. Highly recommended.”
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"Written with intelligence, grace, and style."
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“A captivating story…The Awakening of Miss Prim is an intelligent read that’s more than a little out of the box.”
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“This book is about…a myriad of things, such as romance, beauty, literature, art, philosophy, and even feminism. But I think that what I love about this book is not so much as the theme, but the fact that it interrogates and questions your beliefs and principles. As readers, we are put into the shoes of Miss Prim as we are slowly being questioned, dismantled, laid bare, and finally awakened to one of the things that we seek in life, and that is beauty.”
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“Exactly the kind of story I adore…. There’s a wealth of character development and depth. A variety of topics are explored – religion, philosophy, there’s even a debate on the merits of Mr. Darcy…. I loved every minute.”
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“I really enjoyed the feel of this novel. There is something in the authorial voice that feels like Gaiman meets Austen. It is a sweet little feel good story.”
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“It echoes of Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice and Little Women, three of my favorite books. In short, I had fun reading this book, and I think you will too.”
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“Something about this book made me inexplicably happy…. It was just delightful.”
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“Written in a style and tradition reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice, The Awakening of Miss Prim tackles what it means to step outside your comfort zone, and how travel and new perspectives can change your entire outlook.… An ideal summer read.”
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“As light and sweet as the homemade pastries that feature prominently on its pages, The Awakening of Miss Prim is a charming fable about the beauty of changing one’s mind.”
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"An ideal book club read."
About the Author
Natalia Sanmartin Fenollera is a journalist and has spent the majority of her professional career in the field investigating economic journalism. The Awakening of Miss Prim is her debut novel.