Published by She Writes PressDate Published: 22 October, 2019
Pages: 312
Genres: Literary Fiction
Source: Publisher
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Trevor McFarquhar lives a controlled, contrary existence. Traumatized by early childhood loss, the silence surrounding those losses, and then a sudden family relocation from the United States to France, he has no ambitions or dreams for his struggling Parisian bicycle shop or even for himself. Now in his late thirties, his romantic relationships are only casual—his friendships, few. He’s both aloof and exacting, holding everyone to his own high standards while being unforgiving of their faults.
But then two things happen. The 1995 transit strike forces Parisians through Trevor’s shop door to procure bicycles, and his once-sluggish business suddenly turns around. To his surprise, he is pleased. At the same time, Trevor enters into a relationship that threatens to destroy his relationship with his entire family. Humbled and ashamed, his veneer cracks, and he emerges from his cocoon a different man, ready to reconnect, to rediscover possibility, and ultimately to redeem himself.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Author/Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.
My Thoughts
Mary Fleming has made a new fan in me. I don’t often read lots of literary fiction, but the premise of this story seemed to call to me. So, I decided to jump on it and read it. I’m so glad that I did! I got to follow Trevor’s journey and feel it as if it was my own.
Trevor’s character. Wow. What can I say about him? He was fantastic! I loved him. As someone who lives with regrets daily, I could feel every bit of Trevor’s inner turmoil. His past is tragic and his here and now is lived day to day as a bike shop owner. His relationship with his family isn’t what it should be, and it shows. I loved the way that felt while I was reading this. I needed that to feel the full effect of this beautifully written novel.
Poignant. Heartfelt. Deep. Raw. Those are just some of many words I would describe Fleming’s novel. From start to finish, I followed Trevor through the streets of amazing streets of Paris, and the road we call life, learning what regret is, learning that regret isn’t something to hang on to.This novel is beautifully penned, and I look forward to reading Fleming’s next book. This one is most definitely worthy of 4 stars, hats off, two thumbs up……well you get the picture! Don’t miss it. Order it today!
About Mary Fleming
Mary Fleming, originally from Chicago, moved to Paris in 1981, where she worked as a freelance journalist and consultant. Before turning full-time to writing fiction, she was the French representative for the American foundation The German Marshall Fund. A long-time board member of the French Fulbright Commission, she continues to serve on the board of Bibliothèques sans Frontières. She and her husband have five grown children and split their time between Paris and Normandy. Her novel Someone Else was published in 2014. The Art of Regret is Fleming’s second novel. She writes a blog called A Paris-Perche Diary
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