original: The little book was widely read, especially at Paray.
simplifications: This book was popular, especially at Paray. The little book was widely read. The little book was very popular, especially at Paray. The little book was widely read.  This was very true at Paray. The little book was read intensely, particularly at Paray. The book was read widely. The book was widely read, especially at Paray. The little book was read by many people. The little book was widely read at Paray. The little book was widely read, especially in Paray.