A review by megancrusante
The Bookseller by Cynthia Swanson

3.0

I really liked this- so entertaining, fast read, hard to put down, and likeable characters. So many good ways to reflect on relationships of all kinds- family, romantic, work, and friendship. Especially interesting as a single woman in my 30s in present day NYC compared to the narrator as a single woman in her 30s in 1960s Denver. However large portions of this book left me feeling sad- it gave the impression you are supposed to choose between 2 extremes for your life, with no middle ground. Personally I felt the book leaned super super strongly towards one outcome as the more positive way for a woman to spend her life. Perhaps this is for consistency with the dated views on gender, race, sexuality,and mental health as contemplated by the characters.