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A review by pattydsf
Parnassus on Wheels by Christopher Morley
3.0
I wish I could remember which staff member at the Moorestown Free Library suggested that I read this book. If I could I would love to thank them because I believe that this novel helped me understand the job of a public librarian. For 27 years, I practiced the belief that there is a book for everyone and introducing people to books was part of my calling as a librarian. It has always been a real thrill when readers tell me they like what I have suggested.
This time when I encountered this line in Morley's books, I remembered how much these words meant to me more than 40 years ago:
"When you sell a man a book you don't sell him just twelve ounces of paper and ink and glue - you sell him a whole new life. Love and friendship and humor and ships at sea by night--there's all heaven and earth in a book, a real book I mean.”
I took a few side trips off into special librarianship, but I think I was always meant to be a public librarian. Morley is talking to book sellers, but I took his message as belonging to librarians as well.
This novel is another of my Project Gutenberg/treadmill books. Encountering the McGills and Roger Mifflin again was lots of fun. I had forgotten the details of this story and I laughed out loud when I reread about Helen's experiences with Parnassus, Roger, Pegasus and Bock. I could easily be convinced to spend a little time on the road peddling books given this fun tale.
If you love books and reading, if you fantasize about sharing your love with others and you can suspend your disbelief for a few chapters, pick up this novel. Spending time with Parnassus on Wheels will not be a waste.
This time when I encountered this line in Morley's books, I remembered how much these words meant to me more than 40 years ago:
"When you sell a man a book you don't sell him just twelve ounces of paper and ink and glue - you sell him a whole new life. Love and friendship and humor and ships at sea by night--there's all heaven and earth in a book, a real book I mean.”
I took a few side trips off into special librarianship, but I think I was always meant to be a public librarian. Morley is talking to book sellers, but I took his message as belonging to librarians as well.
This novel is another of my Project Gutenberg/treadmill books. Encountering the McGills and Roger Mifflin again was lots of fun. I had forgotten the details of this story and I laughed out loud when I reread about Helen's experiences with Parnassus, Roger, Pegasus and Bock. I could easily be convinced to spend a little time on the road peddling books given this fun tale.
If you love books and reading, if you fantasize about sharing your love with others and you can suspend your disbelief for a few chapters, pick up this novel. Spending time with Parnassus on Wheels will not be a waste.