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A review by keliterate
The Librarianist by Patrick deWitt
4.0
This is my first encounter with any of deWitt’s works and I now have plans to get a copy of French Exit (when my book-buying ban is over).
The Librarianist follows the life of a quiet man, Bob Comet, who has worked all his life as a librarian, preferring his books over actual people. A chance encounter with a runaway elderly woman from a senior center opens up his otherwise quiet world to a trove of colorful characters.
The book is non-linear, which I tend to enjoy, as someone who is a big fan of flashbacks (and recalling the past in general). While I enjoyed thé flashbacks, I think the story in the current setting could’ve been fleshed out a little more. I fell in love with the characters in the senior center and was a tad bit sad that I didn’t get to explore their lives further. That being said, the flashbacks to Bob’s earlier life were certainly very entertaining. It seems as if Bob, despite his quiet demeanor, has a tendency to attract the most colorful people. I believe deWitt paints a realistic picture of a simple, quiet life; one that feels rewarding after a fairly colorful and complicated past.
I think people who truly live for reading will enjoy the book-related anecdotes in this novel. It was honestly very comforting to read about reading in a view very similar to mine. I do wish this was longer though! I’m not all familiar with how deWitt likes to end his books, but I just enjoyed his writing style so much that I was left wanting for more. The ending in particular felt a little bit rushed, and I wish it could’ve been built out more. All in all, however, I felt this was such a good read. Reminded me a lot of The Great Unexpected and All The Lonely People—if you are like me and love to read about the lives of the elderly, you’re going to enjoy this!
The Librarianist follows the life of a quiet man, Bob Comet, who has worked all his life as a librarian, preferring his books over actual people. A chance encounter with a runaway elderly woman from a senior center opens up his otherwise quiet world to a trove of colorful characters.
The book is non-linear, which I tend to enjoy, as someone who is a big fan of flashbacks (and recalling the past in general). While I enjoyed thé flashbacks, I think the story in the current setting could’ve been fleshed out a little more. I fell in love with the characters in the senior center and was a tad bit sad that I didn’t get to explore their lives further. That being said, the flashbacks to Bob’s earlier life were certainly very entertaining. It seems as if Bob, despite his quiet demeanor, has a tendency to attract the most colorful people. I believe deWitt paints a realistic picture of a simple, quiet life; one that feels rewarding after a fairly colorful and complicated past.
I think people who truly live for reading will enjoy the book-related anecdotes in this novel. It was honestly very comforting to read about reading in a view very similar to mine. I do wish this was longer though! I’m not all familiar with how deWitt likes to end his books, but I just enjoyed his writing style so much that I was left wanting for more. The ending in particular felt a little bit rushed, and I wish it could’ve been built out more. All in all, however, I felt this was such a good read. Reminded me a lot of The Great Unexpected and All The Lonely People—if you are like me and love to read about the lives of the elderly, you’re going to enjoy this!