With all the recent discussions about book stores and book selling, here is a timely fictional tribute to the knowledge and helpfulness of the independent bookseller that is a novel read. In fact it is a novel about novels. Some reviewers describe the book as a mystery, some a love story, some a fairytale but all agree that it is amusing, intriguing and enchanting.
Translated from French by Alison Anderson, who also translated The elegance of the hedgehog, another book about books, The Novel Bookstore is essentially a list of the best novels ever written. How these books are selected, sourced, organised, promoted and sold to readers is fascinating reading but the descriptions and explanations of how the book world reacts provide some wonderful quotable comments on writers, readers, publishers and reviewers.
At the book's website you can peruse a list of the good novels. I'd choose this list above The torchlight list any day!
What an interesting book! That's definitely going on my list of books to read.
ReplyDeleteA bit sad about Whitcoulls and Borders, although perhaps it's good news for libraries and independent book stores. I spent a voucher yesterday at Borders - I didn't want to wait, as they may end up worthless, depending on what happens.