The Library of Unrequited Love by Sophie Divry

It would seem a good plan to release a book about love, for lovers of books, on St Valentine’s Day, but this is an odd one for that particular date. This is a short book comprised entirely of a monologue by a librarian to a library patron she finds in her section, after she or he has been locked in one night.

The reader assumes the role of that patron, and listens, as it were, to a well constructed talk about how the librarian’s life led her there, which then develops into an exploration of history, and in particular how libraries developed during the events of French History – Robespierre was good for them, Napoleon less so.

This in turn gradually reveals more and more, in asides, about the librarian’s crush on a researcher named Martin, who probably doesn’t know her name – the reader never finds this out either – and who is the reason for the title. It sounds a little complex, but in practice this text follows the rambling logic of conversation rather well – and the translator deserves credit too. More poignant than romantic, this small book might not be the best gift choice for Valentine's Day, but it’s an enjoyable short work. [Alan Redd]