In the sixth arrondissement, thirteen-year-old Paul is adrift in a sea of wealth, pretence and an obsession with status. Struggling with a self-absorbed mother who doesn’t pay him any attention and her new boyfriend Gabriel who is chasing his dream of becoming a rock star, all while trying to form a connection with his own narcissistic father, Paul is desperate to be loved. Always overlooked, it is only a matter of time before he sees something he isn’t supposed to see…
Longing for connection, Paul comforts himself with the beauty of Paris – gorging on its sweet confections and elegant patisseries – and in an unlikely friendship with his rebellious classmate, Scarlett.
A moving story set in one of the world’s most beautiful cities, I Love You Too Muchis told with humour, grace and unflinching honesty.
I Love You Too Much is a beautifully written, yet heart-breaking story about Paul, a young man who feels lost and unloved.
Paul’s parents are going through a divorce, his mother has just had a new baby with her younger boyfriend and his father is preoccupied with his work. The only interaction Paul receives from his family tends to revolve around his poor grades and unhealthy eating habits. He is continually criticised and overlooked.
Longing for an escape, Paul spends a lot of time wondering around the streets of Paris. These were my favourite parts of the book, and I loved the little details Alicia Drake included when describing Paris so vividly. Despite the beauty of the setting, she cleverly creates an atmosphere of intense loneliness and boredom, and as we hear Paul’s reflections on everyday life, it becomes more and more clear just how unhappy he really is.
The narration really allowed me to feel like I was going through this experience with Paul. The reader is with him in feeling alone, overwhelmed, and discovering the difficult parts of his life that have had a huge impact. At a young age, Paul experiences a brutal and very sudden loss of innocence, and he is emotionally torn apart by the actions of his family.
I would essentially describe this as a surprising coming-of-age story, and I loved the way the book explores ideas of longing, isolation, betrayal, love, and shattered illusions of youth. It is written in such a fresh style and there are moments that really pull on the heartstrings. It is impossible not to feel overwhelmed with compassion for Paul and his struggles.
The setting is key in creating the perfect atmospheric balance throughout the story, and it is clear very early on that Paul just doesn’t fit in with the pristine world of life in the heart of left bank Paris.
Alicia Drake’s debut fiction novel is one I certainly won’t forget. It is such a moving story, and I absolutely love the way she writes about Paris. I found this the perfect novel to sit down and enjoy in one sitting. Once I’d gotten started, I simply couldn’t tear myself away. I hope Alicia Drake will go on to write many more fiction novels in future.
