From international bestselling author Marc Levy comes a witty and beguiling novel of one woman’s unexpected journey to follow her destiny.Alice Pendelbury believes everything in her life is pretty much in order—from her good friends to her burgeoning career. But even Alice has to admit it’s been an odd week. Not only has her belligerent neighbor, Mr. Daldry, suddenly become a surprisingly … surprisingly agreeable confidant, but he’s encouraging her to take seriously the fortune-teller who told her that only by traveling to Turkey can Alice meet the most important person in her life.
What’s more, the peculiarly insistent Mr. Daldry has even agreed to finance Alice’s trip—one that against all reason seems to be predestined. It’s on this journey, crazy from the outset and strangely irresistible, that Alice will find out that nothing in her life is real, that her past is not true, and that the six people she’s about to encounter will shape her future in ways she could never have dreamed.
Revised edition: Previously published as L’étrange voyage de Monsieur Daldry, this edition of The Strange Journey of Alice Pendelbury includes editorial revisions.
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Alice is a Nose. She creates perfume and sees the world through smells.
One evening Alice’s friends tease her into seeing a fortune teller at the fair. She doesn’t believe in such things of course but she goes to get them to leave her alone and that they can catch the train back to London on time.
That is when her life shifts, memories she doesn’t believe are hers infiltrate her dreams and eventually sends her on a trip to Istanbul with her neighbor Mr. Daldry. This is not a paranormal book, it’s historical and takes place in 1950. I want to make that clear because of the fortune teller comment earlier.
This book…with the way the author brings in smells and taste it feels as if you are in Istanbul.
I wanted to take my time and savor every page but Marc Levy has a way with words. I kept turning the page until it was early in the morning.
This book found me, as if it knew exactly what I was in the mood to read. It’s a whimsical tale that is equal parts adventure, romance, and mystery. I inhaled it with a sense of wonder and have moved directly on to another Marc Levy book.
The premise of this book was what originally hooked me. A woman traveling to another country on a journey for love and possibly the exploration of her heritage definitely piqued my interest. The only downfall of this book was the names of the places in Turkey. As someone who doesn’t read or speak the language, it was occasionally difficult to connect parts of the story when Turkish words were used. However, the plot captured and held my attention, and I loved how the story played out. I would definitely recommend this book!
This is the story of Alice. A 30 something single woman living in London. She has good friends, a good job, and a great apartment. Around Christmas one year, her life begins to change. She and her friends take a trip to a carnival and Alice decides to sit for a reading with a fortune teller. The Fortune teller tells Alice that she will soon meet the love of her life. In order to do so, though, she must travel to Turkey.
Alice, returns to her apartment and tries to put what the fortune teller says behind her. Her neighbor – who is usually biligerant, gives Alice a candle and matches on the night of a blackout, and to Alice – seemed strangely kind. Soon the two of them are talking and keeping each other company. Alice tells him about the fortune teller, and he drives her back to see her again and find out the rest of the story. After the meeting – and the long drive together – Ethan (the neighbor) decides that Alice must take this trip. He agrees to fund it and go along with her to get her started on finding Mr. Right.
On the journey, Alice has strange dreams, and deja vu when she sees certain places in Turkey. Even though she is convinced she has never been there before. What she discovers about herself, and Ethan, will change her life forever.
This was a sweet book. I listened to it as an audiobook all in one day. An 8 hour day of yard work and errands by myself and I had this one finished. It was a great story, well told, and just fun. Ethan has a funny side and I found myself chuckling often. The ending is predictable – you know what is coming right from the beginining, but it didn’t distract from the story.
Fun read. I recommend trying this out.
Nice story of a woman’s trip down romantic memory lane in 1950s London and Turkey. The author depicts Alice via her dreams as well as letters. Not a spoiler to say a fortune-teller plays a key role in the plot!
I quite enjoyed reading this book! The subtlety of the adventures throughout the characters connections and journey was an enchanting storyline. I enjoyed the character’s strengths and flaws. It was a gently endearing story that had me in tears as the characters journey came together as one. Beautifully written.
4.5 stars for me!!! This was my introduction to Marc Levy’s writing, and he did not disappoint. Definitely my favorite book so far this year.
This sweet, honest look at a burgeoning friendship made me smile and cry a little. I enjoyed this beautiful portrayal of what happens when you find someone who colors your monochrome world…
Disappointed
The denouement was implausible and left the reader confused. I’ve enjoyed Levy’s work but they each have in common a big secret that really isn’t one or unsatisfying explanation.
Great mystery, fun and informative
Wonderful journey, fun, interesting, sad and historically horrifying. Love the characters, their sass and adventures kept the story lighthearted when it could have gone very depressing.
Book. Hang. Over.
That is what I have right now. Massive. Book. Hang. Over.
Marc Levy is fast becoming one of my new favorite authors and I am so glad that I got to read this book!!
It is difficult to review this book without giving anything away and trust me, you DO NOT want to have any kind of spoiler with this book – this book is best read knowing nothing going in but the title and just diving in and savoring it and falling in love with it and with the characters. Alice and Ethan are just such great characters and I just loved them almost from the moment you meet them in the book. They are just so well-written and believable and just so glorious; them and their story. Glorious. Fantastic. Magical. One I am so glad that I got to read and experience. One that will stay with me for a long time. A beautiful story.
This book is written around the premise that things are better when we are far away. The characters were realistic and showed the reader that getting to know someone can change a person’s first impression.
One of the best books I’ve read in a long time.
After a visit to a mysterious fortune teller, a rather convenient set of circumstances afford a life-changing trip of discovery for Alice Pendelbury. This was a whimsical yet poignant story with an enjoyable theme, filled with mystique, romance and charm. The characters and their professions were enjoyable; the story, the travel and the journey were delightfully fun!
This book didn’t touch me as I expected it to do.
Unfortunately, even though I read it to the end, I was left with no definite impression of pleasure.