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sarasreading's review
3.0
A decent read. Honestly, I kept thinking that if this was a blog, I would have loved it. It would have been a great blog, but it's a not bad book. The thing that does strike me more than anything else in this book is the time taken to explain so many different people's lives before they came to the bookstore. The way things started out, the choices made, action and reaction. Almost no one in the book set out to stay at the bookstore, but it was the series of unplanned events and strings of choices that led them there.
He says something in the book that kind of sticks, at least in my mind. He says something about how no one starts off in life wanting to work a cash register, or other menial jobs. It's not a new idea, or a profound one, but it made me think even more about the way people's lives turn out, and why. Things happen, life happens, and it takes people places they weren't expecting to be, doing things they never thought they would do. And everyone, everyone has a story.
That's probably the biggest thing I'll take away from this book. That and to remember if I ever visit the bookstore to look behind some books for some spare cash. ^^;
He says something in the book that kind of sticks, at least in my mind. He says something about how no one starts off in life wanting to work a cash register, or other menial jobs. It's not a new idea, or a profound one, but it made me think even more about the way people's lives turn out, and why. Things happen, life happens, and it takes people places they weren't expecting to be, doing things they never thought they would do. And everyone, everyone has a story.
That's probably the biggest thing I'll take away from this book. That and to remember if I ever visit the bookstore to look behind some books for some spare cash. ^^;
upward_not_northward's review
3.0
As my twenties draw to an end, I have to wonder if I've lived my life right by not getting embroiled in petty crimes, absconding to Paris, living rent-free in a run-down bookshop without plumbing, idling the hours away, jobless and semi-destitute, living off of baguettes and cheap beer.
On second thought, I think I'm doing alright.
On second thought, I think I'm doing alright.
mollymbloom's review
4.0
I picked this book off the shelf at the library and was delighted to find that it's a well-written personal narrative of one of my favorite bookstores in the world. I knew it was a special place and bought my copy of Ulysses there, knowing it was the company that published its first edition. I'm discovering that it's even more amazing than I'd thought. So far, so good!
thebisexualbooknerd's review
4.0
I wanted this to be the best book I've ever read and it was. Not that. It was good, but it had some odd flaws that made it just an average memoir.
Some backstory - I have been to Shakespeare & Co. (Twice actually, but within 24 hours, so count that as you will.) It is a magical place that every book lover should absolutely visit if they have the ability. There is something uniquely hallowed about its winding halls. This book did that beauty justice. It captured the experience of being in a place whose magnificence is an open secret. It's like being in a cathedral for bibliophiles - outsiders may be able to appreciate it, but it strikes a certain holy chord for believers. (In case you're wondering, I was the only one in my traveling party who was fully immersed in the experience when I visited. One friend came close. Everyone else poked around for a minute, then waited outside, then became annoyed at us for taking so long and left us there to souvenir shop. It was around then that my dislike of those people began to cement itself. But I digress.)
So why is this not the greatest book ever? Like it's a biography of one of my favorite places on the face of the earth, why do I not heartily endorse it? Well... maybe because it's not really that. Yes, it does talk a lot about the history of Shakespeare & Co., and the founder, and the author's experiences living there. But it's also about the rest of the author's life, which is not especially interesting. Maybe it's because we have very different experiences with life, and books, and writing, and everything in general. More likely it devotes an inappropriate amount of time about his attempts to get laid and/or develop a relationship while living at the bookstore. (I say inappropriate not because I have problems with casual sex; I don't. I do, however, have problems with straight white dudes assuming their experiences are fascinating and universal. In this case, they are neither.) Whatever the reason, I had a hard time sympathizing with him.
Do I recommend it? Sure. It's your run of the mill memoir, not a tender biography of place. But if you're interested in the bookstore and want to get a basic sense of what it's like, this will do you fine. Especially if your expectations aren't as high as mine.
Some backstory - I have been to Shakespeare & Co. (Twice actually, but within 24 hours, so count that as you will.) It is a magical place that every book lover should absolutely visit if they have the ability. There is something uniquely hallowed about its winding halls. This book did that beauty justice. It captured the experience of being in a place whose magnificence is an open secret. It's like being in a cathedral for bibliophiles - outsiders may be able to appreciate it, but it strikes a certain holy chord for believers. (In case you're wondering, I was the only one in my traveling party who was fully immersed in the experience when I visited. One friend came close. Everyone else poked around for a minute, then waited outside, then became annoyed at us for taking so long and left us there to souvenir shop. It was around then that my dislike of those people began to cement itself. But I digress.)
So why is this not the greatest book ever? Like it's a biography of one of my favorite places on the face of the earth, why do I not heartily endorse it? Well... maybe because it's not really that. Yes, it does talk a lot about the history of Shakespeare & Co., and the founder, and the author's experiences living there. But it's also about the rest of the author's life, which is not especially interesting. Maybe it's because we have very different experiences with life, and books, and writing, and everything in general. More likely it devotes an inappropriate amount of time about his attempts to get laid and/or develop a relationship while living at the bookstore. (I say inappropriate not because I have problems with casual sex; I don't. I do, however, have problems with straight white dudes assuming their experiences are fascinating and universal. In this case, they are neither.) Whatever the reason, I had a hard time sympathizing with him.
Do I recommend it? Sure. It's your run of the mill memoir, not a tender biography of place. But if you're interested in the bookstore and want to get a basic sense of what it's like, this will do you fine. Especially if your expectations aren't as high as mine.
elisabethmnc's review
4.0
A memoir of an author who went to live at the Paris bookstore Shakespeare & Co. Despite not identifying with the author in the least and finding myself somewhat horrified at the series of choices that led him to being unemployed and virtually homeless, his story was a fascinating look into a very unusual lifestyle with a bizarre cast of characters.
cookiemonster's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
noonhe's review against another edition
5.0
کتاب خیلی خوبی بود.
ماجرای واقعی کتاب فروشی Shakespeare and Company از زبان جرمی مرسر که خودش مدتی اونجا زندگیکرده و خاطراتش رو تعریف میکنه. ترجمه هم خوب بود. ممنونم از استادم که این کتاب رو بهم معرفی کرد. تجربه خوبی بود.
جرج ویتمن صاحب کتابفروشی شخصیت جذاب و تحسین برانگیزی داره. پیرمردی که تو ماجراهای کتاب هشتاد و شش ساله بوده ولی از اون پیرمرد های سرزنده و امیدوار که سرنوشت جالبی داشته و کار و ماجراجویی های جذابی رو انجام داده تا بالاخره کتابفروشیش رو تاسیس کرده و حتی کتابفروشیش هم به کتابفروشی عادی نیست. به نظرم جرج ویتمن از زندگی طولانیش به نحو احسن استفاده کرد.
دلم میخواست تهران هم یه نمونه اینطوری داشت. نه برای خواب ولی برای وقت گذرونی و مطالعه و تنهایی واقعی یا حتی آشنا شدن با آدم هایی با علایق و سلایق مطالعاتی مشترک.
ماجرای واقعی کتاب فروشی Shakespeare and Company از زبان جرمی مرسر که خودش مدتی اونجا زندگیکرده و خاطراتش رو تعریف میکنه. ترجمه هم خوب بود. ممنونم از استادم که این کتاب رو بهم معرفی کرد. تجربه خوبی بود.
جرج ویتمن صاحب کتابفروشی شخصیت جذاب و تحسین برانگیزی داره. پیرمردی که تو ماجراهای کتاب هشتاد و شش ساله بوده ولی از اون پیرمرد های سرزنده و امیدوار که سرنوشت جالبی داشته و کار و ماجراجویی های جذابی رو انجام داده تا بالاخره کتابفروشیش رو تاسیس کرده و حتی کتابفروشیش هم به کتابفروشی عادی نیست. به نظرم جرج ویتمن از زندگی طولانیش به نحو احسن استفاده کرد.
دلم میخواست تهران هم یه نمونه اینطوری داشت. نه برای خواب ولی برای وقت گذرونی و مطالعه و تنهایی واقعی یا حتی آشنا شدن با آدم هایی با علایق و سلایق مطالعاتی مشترک.