Informative and entertaining! Sylvia Beach opened Shakespeare and Co. bookstore on a side street in Paris in 1919. Picture the freedom citizens and tourists felt after the end of WWI. Her store became more than a store selling books and a lending library, it became a gathering place to many writers of the time where they discussed politics, books of writers around the world, philosophy, etc. James Joyce became Sylvia's project and dear friend. She ended up publishing his book Ulysses at great financial and personal cost.
The more surprising story is her relationship with fellow bookstore owner Adrianne Monnier. The books Author's Note is filled with more details that enlightened me of their life in Paris.
Thinking about the time frame leading up to WWII, the economy, threats from Hitler, banning of Ulysses in America, all very telling of the struggles they all endured.
If you're interest in seeing and reading actual receipts and library cards from Shakespeare and Company, Princeton University Library has carefully scanned and cataloged these wonderful artifacts. See them at: https://shakespeareandco.princeton.edu
This is a beautifully written book that I shall keep in my library.
The more surprising story is her relationship with fellow bookstore owner Adrianne Monnier. The books Author's Note is filled with more details that enlightened me of their life in Paris.
Thinking about the time frame leading up to WWII, the economy, threats from Hitler, banning of Ulysses in America, all very telling of the struggles they all endured.
If you're interest in seeing and reading actual receipts and library cards from Shakespeare and Company, Princeton University Library has carefully scanned and cataloged these wonderful artifacts. See them at: https://shakespeareandco.princeton.edu
This is a beautifully written book that I shall keep in my library.
The store Shakespeare and Company is a bucket list destination for this reader even though the store in existence now is not the store originally established by Sylvia Beach. Although I am not the reader for The Paris Bookseller by Kerri Maher, I so appreciate the introduction to the history of the store and its intriguing founder. I honor the book and the author in words from the book itself.â And I feel nothing but gratitude for the writers who make the sentences. Sentences have changed my life."
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2022/01/the-paris-bookseller.html
Reviewed for NetGalley and a publisher blog tour.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2022/01/the-paris-bookseller.html
Reviewed for NetGalley and a publisher blog tour.
