Jean Perdu, 50, is the protagonist of The Little Paris Bookshop. He is a bookseller and owner of a floating bookstore—the Literary Apothecary—located on a barge on the Seine. He is uniquely perceptive of others’ emotions and uses this special skill to sell people the books that will be most helpful and fulfilling for them, highlighting The Healing Power of Literature. Most of the chapters follow his experiences from a limited third-person perspective. Perdu is a dynamic character; his internal transformation from grief-stricken and guilt-ridden to contented and optimistic is central to the plot.

In the opening chapters, Perdu is characterized as thoughtful but detached. His clothing—black and white, neatly pressed—is the same every day, and his apartment, which is sparsely furnished, has only what he absolutely needs. This simple, unadorned lifestyle reflects Perdu’s grief and sadness. The other characters who enter the novel present Perdu with opportunities to transform himself and embrace life, which he does during their journey.

Though Perdu is emotionally closed off, he is a philosophical, introspective character. Thoughts like, “Did I think I was the only one grieving, the only one knocked sideways by it?” (289) underscore Perdu’s empathy and ability to connect with others.