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Y**B
Stunning story, beautifully written
This is an amazing story about books, love, a vanishing bookshop and discovery and I loved every word. This is not the first time I have read anything by this author, the first time was The Story Collector which was another beautiful story.The Lost Bookshop is something Henry has been searching for, he has followed manuscripts, links, leads and rumours to find its whereabouts yet to no avail.Martha is also trying to hide and finds herself working for Mrs Bowden as her housekeeper. She has found her own version of a new life and yet keeps her head down.Opaline is a character who is from the past, she works in France for the Shakespeare and Company bookshop, another one who is trying to escape from her past.While these three are the main characters, there are some amazing others that the author has drawn into her storyline. Opaline's story is of her brothers' trying to force her into an arranged marriage, but being the 1920s Poaline has other ideas. Henry is struggling with something that has happened in his past, just as Martha is but for different reasons. These three characters tell their story in their own voices so you do get a personal sense of narration.As well as having three different voices there are also two timelines, this may sound as if it starting to become a little complex but it honestly is not. The author has woven it brilliantly and I soon found myself automatically recognising the different voices and timelines.The story is about finding your own future and having the confidence to take the steps forward on that path. Sometimes a little nudge is needed. The Lost Bookshop is a character in its own right, it is an amazing sounding place and it becomes what it needs to be when it is needed. A truly fantastical-sounding place that I would love to visit.A mix of historical fiction, romance, fantasy and contemporary fiction. I adored this one a huge amount and I would highly recommend it.
M**H
A joy to read, a seductive tale that sparks the imagination
My Rating ~ 4.5*‘The thing about books,’ she said ‘is that they help you to imagine a life bigger and better than you could ever dream of.’The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods published with One More Chapter (Harper Collins) on June 22nd and is described as 'The Keeper of Stories meets The Lost Apothecary…evocative and charming novel full of mystery and secrets.’I have read the charming work of Evie Woods, as Evie Gaughan, and have been totally captivated by the magic and warmth that emanates from her stories. Both The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris, set in France, and The Story Collector, set in Ireland, swept me up in their mysticism and escapism, taking me on wonderful adventures. When Evie writes about France, her storytelling is reminiscent of Joanne Harris’ Vianne Rocher novels (Chocolat, The Lollipop Shoes, Peaches for Monsieur le Cure & The Strawberry Thief) with sweeping imagery imbued with magical realism.In The Lost Bookshop, Evie combines France and her Irish roots into a beautifully woven tale that had me listening to Sidney Bechet and reminding me why I love his music and the gorgeous movie that is Midnight in Paris. The Lost Bookshop is a must for anyone who, like me, loves mention of the Lost Generation, Sylvia Beach and of an era when society and the arts carry a special kind of wonder and enchantment.Martha arrives in Dublin looking for shelter, looking to escape the life she has been living. She finds work as a housekeeper for an elderly lady, with sleeping arrangements included. The anonymity of the situation suits Martha. She wants to be invisible, she seeks silence, she needs safety. As the days pass she becomes more used to her new role, servicing the demands of her new boss, and she experiences a temporary peace in the cocoon of the basement where she resides.Henry arrives in Dublin from the UK in search of something. On the threshold of a big decision in his personal life, he needs this escape to Dublin to follow a thread, to uncover a piece of the past that he is finding challenging to get a solid hold of. Henry accidentally stumbles upon Martha. It’s very clear to Henry that Marth’s life has been difficult. She’s a fragile soul, one he is immediately drawn to for some inexplicable reason.Opaline is about to be married off in an arranged marriage, negotiated by her over-bearing brother. Opaline covets adventure and freedom, so she decides to take a leap of faith, escaping to the streets of Paris, to a city that is overflowing with culture and artistic souls. Her head spins when she first realises the enormity of her decision, but Opaline’s determination not to return home to a life of drudgery compels her forward into an unexpected, but very welcomed, turn of events.Martha, Henry and Opaline are oblivious to the invisible threads that bind them. As their stories unfold, we are transported back to Paris and Dublin in the 1920s and to a special bookshop that has rather extraordinary powers. Evie excels in creating escapist worlds where anything can happen, if you just believe. Not shying away from tough themes, Evie combines the hardship and reality of life with warmth and magic, creating a wonderful reading experience that dips into the mysterious and the curious.The Lost Bookshop is a joy to read, a seductive tale that sparks the imagination, a truly immersive and charismatic read of self-discovery and strength imbued with a sense of hope and passion.On publication eve, Evie wrote a gorgeous blog post over her website, Solstice, where she reflects on the journey that got her to this point, which I think really highlights the passion and the dreams of a beautiful person, both inside and out.‘This book has my heart and soul inside of it, the sun, moon and stars. The rejection, the pain, the hurting; as well as the hope, love and wisdom I’ve gained. I’ve found it hard to let go and enjoy the moment. I realise tonight that it’s because it means so very much to me. It’s not a simple fact of raising a glass and toasting a job well done. It’s a lifetime of searching for a way to outwardly express the inner landscape of emotion through creative endeavour. It’s a jumble of heart and mind. It’s everything. And for once, I’d like to feel that. All of it.’
B**E
Unputdownable.
Downloaded this because it was free and I love books and I liked the cover. So, so glad I did. This book is hard to put down and I'm guessing, impossible to forget. The story, the timelines, the twists and turns. If you love books and can lose yourself in them, this is for you. Magical, curious and enlightening!! Two lines towards the end of the book may even end up on my body as part of my story . . .
P**P
Great reading
I started reading this book after borrowing it through Prime Reading, and purchased it immediately (not even a chapter in). It was very well written, with an unusual (good) storyline. I liked the parallel time lines, and couldn't wait to get back to individual stories, whilst still wanting to read the present one. Of course, the storylines of the characters were eventually interwoven, and even though I thought I knew what was coming next, I was still caught unawares by the continuous twists in the plot. Lovely, heart-warming, a little unnerving at times, but ultimately very rewarding...Recommended, definitely.
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