The novel The Reader on the 6.27 by Jean-Paul Didierlaurent and translated into English by Ros Schwartz traces the life of the protagonist Guylain Vignolles, and his relationships with the main characters Giuseppe, Brunner, Yvon and Julie. The novel is set in France in the late twentieth century.
Guylain Vignolles works at a book pulping factory but ironically loves books. He catches the 6.27 a.m. train to work, and reads aloud from the pages he saves from the pulping machine which he calls the Thing. While commuting to work one day, Guylain finds a memory stick which contains the diary of a young woman named Julie. Guylain falls in love with Julie while reading her diary and wants to find her. The novel tells a moving story about Guylain’s search for meaning in his life.
The novel illuminates the power of literature through the portrayal of the way in which books influence the lives of its characters. It takes the reader on a journey with ordinary people who seem larger than life.