What would you do if, on your honeymoon, the petal of a water lily finds its way into your lover's lungs? Set in a dreamy Paris in the 1950's, Boris Vian's novel Mood Indigo illustrates the wacky life of two newlyweds as they fall in love and embark on one of the most interesting journeys in literature. After Colin's wife Chloe falls ill with an odd disease, he sets out to do whatever he can to make his wife happy (even if it means going broke in the process!). Originally written in French, this short little book covers everything from love to loss, Sartre to satire, and will leave you with tears in your eyes one minute and a beaming smile the next.
I love this book for so many reasons, but what drew me in to this quirky narration was the author's style of writing. Boris Vian is amazingly creative, and this book hooked me in right off the bat! If you're looking for a quick read--under 215 pages!--Mood Indigo is a must. Just try not to lose too much sleep while reading it, as it is highly addictive and will leave you hoping for more!
-Lucy, River Teen Advisory Board