Monday, March 14, 2016

Review - - Love in Lowercase

Love in Lowercase: A Novel
By Francesc Miralles and Julie Wark
Publisher: Penguin
Release Date: January 26, 2016








My dearest, fellow book lovers: It is a rare occurrence, indeed, when a reader feels as though an author has thoroughly interviewed them asking the only question that signifies:

What really matters to you? 

And you answer: 
  • Cats
  • Weirdoes (politically correct translation: original characters)
  • Philosophical and spiritual tidbits (not so esoteric as to bore, but just enough to fire the synapses)
  • Something new (new words, new locale, the odd artistic reference one has to Google to figure out)
  • The organized mystery of love
  • Great writing, and 
  • Romance


A tall order.  But then the author delivers everything, serving it in a slim, red volume so charming and precious, one feels forlorn the reading of it is over so soon.

Samuel de Juan is an awkward, German linguistics professor living in Barcelona and he is sure that nothing new will happen in the following year. The best he can hope for is the humdrum of his depressing routines. That is, until, he hears a scratching at his door. The scratching is a cat and Samuel decides to give him a saucer of milk: a small act that changes the entire trajectory of Samuel’s life.

The cat moves in. Samuel names him, Mishima. Then Mishima leads Samuel to an upstairs neighbor, who sends him on a task that places him face to face with new friends and an old love.  

As the author describes through a snippet of conversation between Samuel and his love, Gabriela: 

‘Love in lowercase?’
‘It’s when some small act of kindness sets off a chain of events that comes around again in the form of multiplied love. Then, even if you want to return to where you started, it’s too late, because this love in lowercase has wiped away all traces of the path back to where you were before.’  

There are 224 pages of such jewels. I’m so enamored of this book I have no intention of sharing my copy. But I’ll share my joy because I certainly agree with the book’s premise: A small act of kindness does change lives. This book feels as though it’s a small act of kindness being granted to me.  And now I grant it to you. And while I’d hope you’d provide nourishment for all the needy cats in your corner of the world, reading LOVE IN  LOWERCASE will suffice for today.  

You’re welcome.  J

~J Perry Stone

10 comments:

  1. It sounds quirky and delightful, J. I just added it to my wish list. Thanks for the recommendation.

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    1. Janga, you will love it. And please let me know when you're finished reading it. I want details.

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  2. You've convinced me to add this to my must-read list, J!

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    1. PJ, I owe you for giving it to me. I owe you BIG!

      ♡♡

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  3. It sounds like a good book to read. Will add to my wish list.

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  4. I would not have looked at this book, but your review entices me to try the book. It sounds delightful.

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  5. I read this a few weeks ago. Quick read & really good!

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  6. Yay! I'm so glad you thought it really good, Sharlene.

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