Insightful, brooding, and soaring, this unique novel is a song in praise of the library and a spirited defense of the art of reading. Brilliantly capturing the voice of a frustrated lady librarian, the narrative unfolds as a soliloquy, presenting a passionate and sometimes angry stream of consciousness. Trapped within her bookworm world, past her prime, and often comical, the protagonist reveals the hidden emotional depths and intellectual complexities beneath her mousy exterior. Praised by critics as having shades of Dostoyevsky's 'Notes from the Underground,' this French literary fiction offers a charming, sometimes pathetic, yet witty exploration of a life dedicated to books. Translated into English by Siân Reynolds.