Bythell is the owner of The Book Shop in Wigtown, Scotland’s largest
secondhand bookshop, and takes us through a year in the life of a bookseller in
this drily humourous memoir. Each month opens with an extract from George
Orwell’s Bookshop Memories and a
discussion of how things have changed or not as the case may be. Nothing
drastic happens in this book but the way he presents the day-to-day workings of
a secondhand bookshop and the eccentric characters he encounters is entertaining.
He is derogatory towards staff and customers alike but does have the odd moment
of reflection where he sees something of interest in a customer or seller.
His disdain is never more forceful than when it comes to amazon (the
broken kindle that he shot is displayed proudly on the wall, leaving no doubt
as to where he stands on the issue of e-readers and the behemoth that is
devouring so many retailers). He describes how the rise of amazon has made
bookselling a far less profitable pursuit and refuses to share his knowledge
with customers who he suspects will use it to make their purchase online. The
book gives an insight into the changing landscape of bookselling over the
decade and a half that he’s been running the shop.
Not only do we learn about books but also snippets of local history,
behind the scenes glimpses of the Wigtown Book Festival, and a whole array of
facts that arise from buying trips and obscure titles. For all his grumbles,
and the painfully low takings listed at the end of each day, Bythell’s sheer
love of books shines through. A treat of a read and one in which booksellers
past and present will find a lot to relate to.
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