THE LOST MANUSCRIPT by Cathy Bonidan will be published in the United States in January and I encourage you to look for it. The award-winning author teaches school and lives in Vannes, France. Her main character, Anne-Lise Briard, vacations in Brittany where she finds a manuscript in her hotel room. After reading and being moved by the story, she returns it to an address that was inside the book. The author responds and Anne-Lise learns that the manuscript was lost 30 years ago and has since been finished by an unknown second author. That starts a wonderful journey to trace the book's activity over the last few decades. The story is told in light, breezy, honest letters between Anne-Lise and Sylvestre Fahmer, the somewhat reclusive author. Eventually, others join the correspondence and the reader learns of thwarted love affairs, estranged parents and children, and budding friendships. Along the way, the manuscript positively impacts its readers and I must say that I found reading the letters to be a delight. They are filled with hope, mystery and even romance, as Bonidan relays the power of books and of caring for each other. Publishers Weekly gave THE LOST MANUSCRIPT a starred review. Add it to your "to be read" pile for 2021 now.

This unusual book is made up completely of letters (apparently this format is called an “epistolary novel”). It took me a while to get absorbed by the convoluted story, but eventually I got pulled in. Anne-Lise finds a manuscript in a hotel room in Brittany and spends a lot of effort into finding out how it got there, making good friends along the way. This novel was just okay for me. There were a lot of convenient coincidences and the prose, due to the letter-writing format, was a bit wordy, so I found myself skimming a bit here and there.

This book was originally published in French under a different title (essentially “Room 128”) and the translator, Emma Ramadam, did a good job.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Cathy Bonidan’s The Lost Manuscript is an epistolary novel that follows Anne-Lise, who, while on vacation on the Brittany coast, finds an abandoned type written manuscript in her hotel room nightstand.

So taken by this novel, and finding the author’s address at the end, she sends the book off to the original owner. Though she doesn’t expect a reply, she gets an astonishing one—the author had lost his manuscript 30 years ago—and he didn’t even write the second half of the book.

Her interest piqued, Anne-Lise won’t rest until she finds who the second mystery author is. And what she discovers during her amateur sleuthing is a host of people who got their hands on the book and had their lives changed forever.

And that’s all before she discovers the shocking identity of the author who finished the story.

This book was such a lovely surprise. I’ve never actually read an epistolary novel before, but I was hooked by the format. Even though the pacing is a bit slow because of it, it’s a welcome change for those times you need a more quiet read.

It’s also written so beautifully. Though some might call the prose “purple,” I actually enjoy it. There’s something about this type of language that feels lyrical to me. And even though I don’t encounter many people who speak like this any more (or who actually exchange hand-written letters), this book felt like a song and I was immersed. I can only imagine how this must sound in the original French.

This book releases January 12, and if you’re in any way moved by beautiful language, clever literary puzzles, and powerful character backstories, I highly recommend this one

Special thanks to @stmartinspress for giving me the opportunity to read this advance copy though NetGalley. What a pleasure.

I finally learned exactly what people mean when they use the phrase "purple prose" because......geez was this it.

The story of "The Lost Manuscript" at it's core was cute, but this felt a little too twee at some points. The main character - Anne-Lise - was kind of juvenile and annoying but her determination was admirable. There were way too many side characters to keep straight but still, I blew through this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

What would you do if you discovered a discarded manuscript in a hotel room? Why, read it of course. And then try to discover who wrote it and why it was abandoned. The narrative style of the book is all in letter form. While not the the most original format, it works tremendously well for this story. Readers delve into the personalities of the letter writers and the mystery behind the manuscript is gradually fleshed out while including more of the stories of the other characters. I found the book interesting and lighthearted to read. So remember to check those hotel drawers for hidden gems.

Before I jump into my thought on this book I must thank the publisher, author, Dreamscape Audio and NetGalley for my digital copies of this book. I was granted both a digital kindle copy and an advanced audio.
(I am spoiled.)

Upon finishing this book I can confidently say-

*It was a good book but not as enjoyable as I had hoped.

*It was a short read/listen which I appreciated.

*I love and epistolary format and without the audio I may have gotten easily lost.

* The audio has multiple narrators and they kept me going. Without this audio I may have DNF'd.

*The cover of this book is adorable and may draw in younger readers but I don't think that is the demographic suited for what I just read.

Overall- I am underwhelmed.

Unfortunately, I don't have much to say about this book. Though it is well-written, it didn't grab me in any way. While some epistolary novels are notable for banter (think "Charring Cross") or romance ("The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society"), this novel fell short. It was so plain that as soon as I finished, I forgot most of it. The characters were almost indistinguishable from each other and I kept wondering when I'd actually be able to read this fabled manuscript. I'm grateful to NetGalley for the arc, and hope the author's next book holds a bit more interest for me :)

Has a book changed your life? What if one did? This was a beautifully written story about a found / lost manuscript. It is heartwarming and romantic and it makes one feel good.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Title: The Lost Manuscript
Author: Cathy Bonidan
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4 out of 5

When Anne-Lise Briard books a room at the Beau Rivage Hotel for her vacation on the Brittany coast, she has no idea this trip will start her on the path to unearthing a mystery. In search of something to read, she opens up her bedside table drawer in her hotel room, and inside she finds an abandoned manuscript. Halfway through the pages, an address is written. She sends pages to the address, in hopes of potentially hearing a response from the unknown author. But not before she reads the story and falls in love with it. The response, which she receives a few days later, astonishes her…
Not only does the author write back, but he confesses that he lost the manuscript 30 years prior on a flight to Montreal. And then he reveals something even more shocking—that he was not the author of the second half of the book.

Anne-Lise can’t rest until she discovers who this second mystery author is, and in doing so tracks down every person who has held this manuscript in their hands. Through the letters exchanged by the people whose lives the manuscript has touched, she discovers long-lost love stories and intimate secrets. Romances blossom and new friends are made. Everyone's lives are made better by this book—and isn't that the point of reading? And finally, with a plot twist you don't see coming, she uncovers the astonishing identity of the author who finished the story.

I really enjoyed this read! It’s told in a series of letters between the various characters, and at first, I had a little trouble keeping everyone straight, but that soon resolved. There are a lot of storylines woven together, past and present, but they make a seamless and engrossing tapestry, with vivid characters full of quirks and little adventures that draw the reader fully into the story. Definitely a recommended read.

Cathy Bonidan is a teacher. The Lost Manuscript is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 1/11.)

This book stretched me a bit. I'm still not 100% certain I liked it as a whole. I love the idea of authors connecting with readers and readers connecting with other fans of the same book. However, the way this story was told (through letters) didn't entirely work for me. It was hard to get to know the characters as you skip from letter to letter and eventually email to email. There was a lack of emotional connection I was craving before the big reveals at the end which were somewhat of a letdown based on how the story was told.

I am so grateful to have gotten both the audio and ebook version of this book from Netgalley! I assumed I would enjoy this novel- a book written in letters between a woman who found a manuscript and the person who wrote it, and at first I thought that was all this would be. I was pleasantly surprised at the depth the book takes as we find how dozens of people in separate countries are connected by this manuscript. The characters are multidimensional and the use of the letters to tell the story was beautiful. I will say that near the end, it was helpful to have the ebook version to keep the characters apart as it grew confusing. But well enjoyed!

This is a book about the impact we unknowingly have on strangers and how we are meant to meet some people. It offers a really interesting glimpse into every readers’ life. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

I loved the epistolary format. It was a great way to tell the story and it allows an insight into every characters' mind, in a way. I was deeply invested in every plotline and cared for everyone. All of the characters had a deep and extensive backstory. This allowed us to really get to know them and to ensure that everyone is well-rounded and someone you can get attached to. I was invested in their individual stories, as well as the overarching plot of “who’s the second writer”

As for the identity of the mystery second author, I definitely didn't see it coming and I absolutely adored the reveal. It was truly satisfying, and I don't think the author could've written a better ending.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is one of those books that leans toward the esoetic. It is written in letters, from Anne-Lise to the writer of the book, and then to the second writer, who finished the book. It's not a quick read, but one that is read in chapters, for me the beginning and the end were the most interesting. The middle? Ugh, maybe I just wasn't in the mood for long drawn out phrasing and melodrama. It's not a bad book, just not what I thought it would be, and not one for light reading.

This book was charming, though at times, with so many people and so much happening it was a little confusing. I love books in letter format, so that really added to my enjoyment. I'm afraid that without that aspect I would have been a little bored. 3.5 Stars. I recommend to fans of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

The Lost Manuscript // by Cathy Bonidan // narrated by Elodie Yung, Rupert Degas, Cecile Delepiere, and Jean Brassard

I first received this as an ebook but was really excited to see it available as an audiobook as well later on. Having multiple narrators is something I really enjoy so I was thrilled to be approved for this one. Once I was a little into the book though, I struggled a little with keeping up with the many character switches, something that I think would've been a little bit easier for me if I had read the ebook instead. The whole book is written in the format of letters and emails, something that I don't get often but enjoy a lot when I do because it feels so personal. While it was a little confusing there at the start, eventually it did become easier as I got to know the characters better and could keep their life stories apart more easily. I found the premise intriguing from the start but I didn't realize just how many people would be involved in the manuscript's travels and it was fascinating to hear it all. There is a lot of emotion, love, and struggle in this story that will make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside by the end.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to be completely immersed in this story of an unfinished romance manuscript found in a hotel drawer. I wanted to sink into the characters and their stories but just felt disconnected. I kept waiting for that spark that just didn’t come. It’s well written and for readers who love letters, definitely give it a try.

And absolute delight to read, THE LOST MANUSCRIPT opens up the hearts of its characters and readers in a series of letters shared over the course of a few months. Letter writing is a lost art in our digital age, but reading the words of Cathy Bonidan took me back to a simpler time when correspondence was more than a few words and more like a journal entry shared with a friend. Bonidan shapes each character so well that, despite there being up towards at least 10 letter writers, it's easy to separate their voices-a task some would find daunting. Bonidan handles this with ease, giving the reader-for just a moment-the sense of being part of something bigger, yet wonderfully intimate. In addition, each characters response/reaction to the lost manuscript is different, though it changes each of them, as literature is known to do. More importantly, this lost manuscript brings these letter writers together, far past their mutual love for a manuscript that traveled the world. 5 Stars.

I was intrigued by this book. A little bit historical and a little bit romance- I was excited to read it. I was thrown off with the letter format from the very beginning. I didn't enjoy it because it didn't provide any depth to these characters and therefore it was really difficult for me to form any real connection to them. The writing style wasn't anything I was particularly enjoying either. By the end I found the amount of characters confusing and I found myself skimming. While I loved the idea of this novel it unfortunately didn't live up to my expectations.

I really enjoyed this epistolary novel that takes place in France. A woman finds a lost manuscript in a hotel drawer and decides she is going to try to trace it and find out how it got there. The manuscript was unfinished by the original author 30 years ago, but an ending was written by someone else. There are several people involved in the search and the letter writing, and I found it to be a charming and endearing story well told through letters and emails.

I loved this book so much I wished I could hug it. A French woman traveling with her family finds a manuscript in the bedside table at the inn she's staying at, and feels compelled to attempt to return it to the original author. Told through letters, this book takes her on a circuitous journey back to the original author as they attempt to track the book's journey over multiple decades. This was heartwarming and adorable, reminiscent of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society.