Reviews

The Bookseller by Cynthia Swanson

radioactve_piano's review against another edition

4.0

The perfect commuter/quick bits of reading time book for me -- the chapters are mostly short, but in a way that makes perfect sense to the story. The writing is great (but I enjoyed her other book, too, so no surprise there). The story was interesting -- especially her choice to have it take place in a not-yet-big-American-metropolis in the middle of the century. And I love the premise of asking the "what if?" question and then following that thread for years.

The only reason I didn't give this a full 5 stars was I figured out the twist much earlier than the character -- and it was more of a waiting game on my part. I wouldn't say the story dragged, but I wish the twist hadn't been so clear so early on.

rowan_mb's review against another edition

4.0

Loved this story. I knew which world was real, but it was so great to just read about her living both worlds and not knowing what was real and what wasn't.

livewonderstruck's review against another edition

3.0

I enjoyed this book (meaning I neither loved it nor loathed it). It was a bit slow in the beginning for me, but became more interesting by about halfway through. I liked how it ended (that's all I'll say about that). I got it on my Kindle for a low price (at the time of writing this review it is $3.99 for Kindle). It's a good option at that price.

laranda's review against another edition

adventurous reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Conceptually neat, enjoyed the way this was projected. A nice, sad story.

brandeereads's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.75

dennymagoo90's review against another edition

5.0

The writing was exquisite. I fell in love with the family and the book store. I wanted to be in this world. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

mrs_shel's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed this book! I am confused at the number of other reviewers who did not understand the book or the plot. Did we even read the same book? Swanson is focusing on the power of grief as well as happiness. Even when we have "the perfect life" are we truly happy? Kitty was a character that was easy to relate to and felt very real.

suvata's review against another edition

4.0

The Bookseller is a debut novel by Cynthia Swanson. It's quite a haunting little tale. It takes place in 1960s Denver where Kitty and her friend Frieda own a bookshop. Kitty is single and lives a very quiet life with her cat. She likes being single and not having to answer to anyone besides herself. She is in complete control of her life.

She begins dreaming of a life very different from her own. In her dreams she is married and has three children. She is quite well off and completely in love with her husband, Lars.

When she awakens she returns to her normal, ordered life at the bookstore. Kitty very much enjoys her nighttime forays into the dream world, where she learns more and more about her fantasy family.

Night after night this pattern continues until the lines between Kitty's dreamworld and her real world are starting to fade. Eventually, her dreamworld feels more "real" to her.

This book left me questioning which world was real and which was imagined. It really is a good book that I couldn't put down.

hi_hiba13's review against another edition

3.0

It has not that deep meaning for me
It's only a story that make u turn the page to find out the ending
Even though i enjoyed reading it

noor_haji's review against another edition

3.0

Nothing like I've expected ! But it was great ! Liked it.