The Red Notebook

By: Antoine Laurain

Narrated by: Alex Wyndham

Length: 3 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's Summary

Heroic bookseller Laurent Letellier comes across an abandoned handbag on a Parisian street. There's nothing in the bag to indicate who it belongs to, although there's all sorts of other things in it. Laurent feels a strong impulse to find the owner and tries to puzzle together who she might be from the contents of the bag. Especially a red notebook with her jottings, which really makes him want to meet her. Without even a name to go on, and only a few of her possessions to help him, how is he to find one woman in a city of millions?

©2015 Gallic Books (P)2016 Tantor

Critic Reviews

"Elegant, witty, lighthearted - and somehow very French." ( Booklist)

A slight story

Very French, a nice little story. My favorite character was the black cat. Narrator is good.

Throughly Enjoyable

Intriguing premise that made for a most enjoyable listen from start to finish. Nicely written with a deft and delicate touch

Alex Wyndham's narration is spot on.

Loved the story, more please!! I just went on a journey to lovely Paris - Thanks.

A romantic movie in my head...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this to my girlfriends who like romantic love stories with a bit of mystery, humor, and tension.

Who was your favorite character and why?

As a female reader, I loved the character of Laurent. What woman wouldn't want a man to seek her out and fall in love with her only based on what he finds in her pocketbook? After reading this book I immediately went to my closet and put some interesting things in my purse, just in case...

Which scene was your favorite?

I love the scene where Laurent comes to Laure's apartment and calls the cat by name so that her friend assumes that he knows Laure. I also love how he lovingly investigates her apartment.The funniest scene in the book is when his daughter attempts to pass him off as her much older boyfriend. I was laughing out loud at this!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did laugh at the one comical scene and I nearly cried when Laurent's daughter whispered to Laure her father's name and the address of his bookshop. That was so terribly sweet and beautifully written.

Any additional comments?

At first I didn't not like Alex Wyndham's narration - it seemed a bit stiff and a little angry sounding. But as the story progressed it grew on me and I especially enjoyed his portrayal of Laurent's daughter as well as his ex-girlfriend. I would definitely recommend this book to the romantic's out there and would love to see it made into a movie. This is the kind of story I will read more than once.

Charming book

Great story. My book club friends will love it for the fact that it involves a book seller and it's Paris setting.
My only wish is that there had been chapter designations.

lovely

this is a wonderful story, listened to it on a lazy afternoon. very well performed.

Französisch?

Wen der Sprecher doch nur besser französisch könnte. Es war eine Qual die Namen zu hören. Nur die Geschichte hat mich durchhalten lassen.

Middle school read

Corny as heck! Couldn’t wait to finish and only got to the end so I could discuss at bookclub.

Underwhelming

About half way through, I realized the story was taking a similar turn to “While You Were Sleeping,” But I’m glad to writer pulled up before crashing into that plot. Still, it was wearily predictable and wholly unsatisfying.

great read

intriguing and captivating, loved the narration, I'm so glad Lauraint didn't go any further with his lies

enjoyable

Having read The President's hat, this was a lovely book to listen to. Slightly predictable, but that didn't matter to me and I am not being critical-that was part of the appeal of the story. I enjoyed it and the narration was very soothing. Just what I needed on a lazy Sunday.

Good short pleasant

Totally unnecessary accents
Hated fake french accent and silly feminine voice enjoyed story and characters.

A perfect Audible book!

A gem of a story, beautifully constructed, well read ... I really didn’t want it to end! It begins with the stealing of a handbag and ends quite perfectly a few hours later. The plot line is taut yet not predictable. Do listen.

Nice little story

Very engaging from the beginning. Carries on in the same vain throughout. Only problem was that is was over to quickly.

Beautiful Storyline.

I love this book. It is one I have reread often. I decided to buy the audible version and I was not disappointed.
Narration definitely adds a magical depth to certain books, this is one of them.

richly satisfying

the reader will feel they have had superb French meal with no social distancing whatsoever. The characters have pleasantly good manners. Thank you. Richard Goodwin

Antoine Laurain does it again.

Having listened to other novels by Antoine Laurain, The President's Hat and Vintage 54, both also very, very good the Red Notebook is another fabulous read/listen

Simply Sublime

This is my third time at least listening to this wonderfully warm and witty novel. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Delightful

Beautifully and sensitively described. The unfortunate event that leaves the heroine in a temporary coma results in the discovery of her notebook in the stolen and discarded handbag by a stranger...our hero. After clever detective work, Laurain discovers her flat and learns more about her. The story develops further to a satisfying conclusion.