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prog51's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
mani_p's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
toniclark's review against another edition
4.0
Morley was a prolific writer, having written more than 100 novels, essay collections, and poetry collections. Parnassus on Wheels was his first novel, published in 1917, when he was 27. He had previously published a volume of poems, worked as a publicist, an editor, and as a newspaper reporter and columnist.
Parnassus on Wheels features Roger Mifflin, an itinerant bookseller (“pedlar”) who travels the countryside in a robin’s-egg-blue van (the Parnassus) full of books. He preaches the value of books and love of reading to all who will listen, and makes a good living from what he sells. But Roger wants to retire to Brooklyn and write his own book, so he sells the Parnassus, along with its books, horse, and dog, to one Helen McGill, a 39-year-old “spinster.” Let me just say, a lively and charming tale ensues. I wasn’t familiar with Morley’s writings. And I’d not have expected to find a book published in 1917 so readable and refreshing. It's also the perfect read and perfect gift for bibliophiles everywhere.
“When you sell a man a book you don't sell just twelve ounces of paper and ink and glue - you sell him a whole new life. Love and friendship and humour and ships at sea by night - there's all heaven and earth in a book, a real book.”
In 1919, Morley published his second novel, The Haunted Bookshop, which also features the bookseller Mifflin from Parnassus on Wheels. I’ll be reading that next.
Wikipedia reports this as his last message to his friends, which was published after his death in 1957:
“Read, every day, something no one else is reading. Think, every day, something no one else is thinking. Do, every day, something no one else would be silly enough to do. It is bad for the mind to continually be part of unanimity.”
Wikipedia also reports, “A highly gregarious man, he was the mainstay of what he dubbed the ‘Three Hours for Lunch Club.’ “ Now, he sounds like my kind of guy.
The book is available (free) from Project Gutenberg.
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/5311
Parnassus on Wheels features Roger Mifflin, an itinerant bookseller (“pedlar”) who travels the countryside in a robin’s-egg-blue van (the Parnassus) full of books. He preaches the value of books and love of reading to all who will listen, and makes a good living from what he sells. But Roger wants to retire to Brooklyn and write his own book, so he sells the Parnassus, along with its books, horse, and dog, to one Helen McGill, a 39-year-old “spinster.” Let me just say, a lively and charming tale ensues. I wasn’t familiar with Morley’s writings. And I’d not have expected to find a book published in 1917 so readable and refreshing. It's also the perfect read and perfect gift for bibliophiles everywhere.
“When you sell a man a book you don't sell just twelve ounces of paper and ink and glue - you sell him a whole new life. Love and friendship and humour and ships at sea by night - there's all heaven and earth in a book, a real book.”
In 1919, Morley published his second novel, The Haunted Bookshop, which also features the bookseller Mifflin from Parnassus on Wheels. I’ll be reading that next.
Wikipedia reports this as his last message to his friends, which was published after his death in 1957:
“Read, every day, something no one else is reading. Think, every day, something no one else is thinking. Do, every day, something no one else would be silly enough to do. It is bad for the mind to continually be part of unanimity.”
Wikipedia also reports, “A highly gregarious man, he was the mainstay of what he dubbed the ‘Three Hours for Lunch Club.’ “ Now, he sounds like my kind of guy.
The book is available (free) from Project Gutenberg.
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/5311
kscheffrahn's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
bunrab's review against another edition
5.0
I had first read this from my grandparents' bookshelf when I was a kid, and I think the Modern Library 1935 edition I found for 50 cents is probably the exact same edition. A delightful, funny story - fairly short, a quick read, and surprisingly modern in some ways - our protagonist is definitely a feminist. Who should read this? Booklovers and people who really enjoyed Cold Comfort Farm.
Oh, and if you haven't read Cold Comfort Farm, go find that too. Funniest novel of 1939.
Oh, and if you haven't read Cold Comfort Farm, go find that too. Funniest novel of 1939.
guk's review against another edition
4.0
The Parnassus Bookshop on Wheels (propelled by a horse) drives into Helen's farmyard and changes her life. She ditches the dishes, pulls out her savings and decides at 39 years old to take an adventure. What's not to love? This was fun listen on audio--it's more of a novella so the length is nice. I enjoyed Helen's POV. I can imagine my own disgust after tallying all the biscuits I've made in 15 years of taking care of a bachelor brother and deciding it's time for a vacation! I was also interested to read this as it was the inspiration for the name of Ann Patchett's bookstore in Nashville (Parnassus Books). I also found this to be an interesting musing on the lives women were allowed to lead at the turn of the 20th century--we've come a long way.
elaine126's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
jonesfam08's review against another edition
4.0
Delightful! Such a cute, sweet story that is full of surprises beginning to end. It is littered with perfect quotes and insights for the book lover as well.
jenniferdinsmore's review against another edition
4.0
An utterly charming little tale about the power of books and adventure!
egrodgers's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0