Having read La Délicatesse I wasn't sure if I should expect a predictable love story or something different. Don't get me wrong, I liked his previous book, but it felt very cliche. Les souvenirs was a wonderful read. The story moved at a nice pace, and I love the way Foenkinos integrated different memories into the book. Not only does it express nostalgia from every page, but it touches on the topics of living and becoming old. It wasn't quite what I expected, and the back cover does a good job of being extremely vague, which is a good thing...for me.

If you like relishing in the past, in this case the protagonist's past, then this book is for you. I don't often feel a sense of nostalgia from many books, but this one does a good job of doing that. I feel like I've had a long conversation with a friend I hadn't seen in years, and we're catching up on our lives.

There are many lessons to be learned from this book, and I applaud David Foenkinos for this written work. I highly recommend it. ( )

A pleasantly light book that is heavier than it appears. The reminiscences of a young man whose life is completely ordinary but who is dogged by the thought that life itself is passing him by. He's a frustrated writer but can't think of anything to write. Which is the unseen trick of the book as it is his reflection on his ordinary life that keeps us turning the pages. He has a tentative relationship with his parents and is dismayed when he finds his own life mirroring theirs. Nostalgia for his grand parents serves him better and gives him greater inspiration. To no great effect in terms of action but working wonders to give him a better frame of mind to enjoy life as he finds it. ( )