Reviews

Once Upon a Tome: The Misadventures of a Rare Bookseller by Oliver Darkshire

emachinescat's review against another edition

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funny informative reflective relaxing slow-paced

5.0

wards256's review

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funny informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.25

moa's review against another edition

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funny informative lighthearted medium-paced

4.25

camiller07's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

4.0

Quirky and fun read.

greg_m's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.5

katherinechase's review against another edition

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5.0

I think it’s a bit ironic that the gold derailing on the cover kept rubbing off on my fingers, like some of the stories contained within the book were transmitting themselves through gold leaf onto my hands. 

I don’t understand the 1 star reviews—this is the wittiest romp (though I don’t think Darkshire, whose surname I’m convinced is fictitious, would advise an actual romp) through antiquarian bookselling I can imagine. I was disappointed in the end when James died … I wanted so badly to visit him and be one of the annoying customers he wants to ride Sotheran’s of. 

Highly recommend this book. I finished it in less than a week and have already begun reading my favorite vignettes a second time. 

bookshelvish's review against another edition

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3.0

3⭐️⭐️⭐️. Listened to this to and from work today. It was fine. 

hhwalker425's review against another edition

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funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.0

thenovelbook's review

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4.0

A humorous look at the world of rare books and the people who sell (and buy) them. The author has a gift for a witty turn of phrase, and there were several passages that kept me chuckling. I enjoyed the short chapters which kept the book moving along nicely from angle to angle. Recommended for fans of Shaun Bythell's bookseller diaries.

Thanks to Netgalley and W. W. Norton & Company for this advance review copy.

shelbymarie516's review

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2.0

Interesting, boring, white noise. The progression of this book for me...