curiouslykaylee's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the chapters about Edmond Charlot and his life. I preferred these chapters to the modern day chapters following Ryad. I also enjoyed learning more about Algeria's history. Good book overall.
lucyr's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
acidicpie's review against another edition
4.0
This was the first book i read that discussed the history of Algeria during the french occupation. As an algerian, I was very moved by this book and i felt the need to appreciate every mention of the martyrs who helped Algeria become the free nation that it is today (not entirely free however as it is still under corrupt authority). Ironically, i felt homesick to occupational Algeria and felt like i was betraying my land by being born into the wrong generation. The writing style was so great that it fueled my imagination to the highest degree and i could see and feel what i would imagine the characters did too.
I gave this book a 4/5 simply because the excerpts were sometimes boring to read. I have to admit they did provide necessary elements to help the reader understand the nature of the man who founded the bookshop and also the nature of his relationship with the people he was involved with. I understand that my rating can be very biased considering the fact that i just admitted to being deeply affected by the history that was told, however, I can only hope that it may also have that similar effect on you (to some extent).
I gave this book a 4/5 simply because the excerpts were sometimes boring to read. I have to admit they did provide necessary elements to help the reader understand the nature of the man who founded the bookshop and also the nature of his relationship with the people he was involved with. I understand that my rating can be very biased considering the fact that i just admitted to being deeply affected by the history that was told, however, I can only hope that it may also have that similar effect on you (to some extent).
hannahleewhite's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
mahdigasmi's review against another edition
4.0
Un livre qui vient me parler d'autres livres ça y'est je suis déjà emballé moi..on parle de tout : des grands auteurs..des librairies de l'édition et de la publication..de l'Algérie colonisée.. et puis des livres et des livres et encore des livres...ça me tente..ça me réjouit..ça me rend en colère par moments aussi mais j'ai fini par aimer ce petit bijou bien travaillé.
Mérite il le prix Goncourt? Oui, un telle commémoration mérite bien plus d'éloges à mon avis.
Merci Kaouther pour ces magnifiques moments de lecture que je n'oublierai jamais!!
Mérite il le prix Goncourt? Oui, un telle commémoration mérite bien plus d'éloges à mon avis.
Merci Kaouther pour ces magnifiques moments de lecture que je n'oublierai jamais!!
sasabrina's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A Bookshop in Algiers follow a story of a bookseller and bookshop owner, Edmond Charlot, maneuvering his life through bookselling amidst the unstable condition of Alger. The book is told following the historical timeline of Alger, from French occupation to Algerian war for independence. It portrayed the impact of war beyond the struggle of Charlot's bookselling business, more than that, the lives that's lost, the brutality and humanitarian issues.
I love that the book touches many important subject, mainly the struggle for independence, and written in such a detail that I can feel the atmosphere. Even so, I feel like there are a lot of missing context in the book that made it hard for me to piece the information together. Maybe it's the limit of thinner books like this, where it also limits the amount of information given.
I love that the book touches many important subject, mainly the struggle for independence, and written in such a detail that I can feel the atmosphere. Even so, I feel like there are a lot of missing context in the book that made it hard for me to piece the information together. Maybe it's the limit of thinner books like this, where it also limits the amount of information given.
sineadmcn's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I think there’s a lot of missing context for me especially towards the end. I feel the story could have been longer to give the reader closure.
alex_arquives's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
rebecavleal's review against another edition
história contada de forma bonita e cativante sobre um homem que abriu uma livraria na primeira metade do seculo XIX na Algeria, tendo publicado os primeiros livros de Camus, e gerindo esta para sobreviver a II Guerra Mundial e a instabilidade pre-independência da Algeria.