The Paris Bookseller
The Paris Bookseller by Kerri Maher, published by Penguin Publishing Group on December 6, 2022, is a historical fiction novel that explores the life of Sylvia Beach, a young American who opened the iconic bookstore Shakespeare and Company in Paris in 1919. This edition spans 352 pages and is presented in English. The narrative follows Beach’s journey as she navigates the challenges of running a bookstore that becomes a haven for prominent writers of the Lost Generation, including Ernest Hemingway and James Joyce.
Readers will find a dramatic portrayal of Beach’s determination to publish Joyce’s controversial novel Ulysses, a decision that alters the course of literature. The story delves into the complexities of her relationships and the pressures she faces as her bookstore’s future hangs in the balance amid the backdrop of the Great Depression. Through Sylvia’s experiences, the book highlights themes of resilience and the profound impact of literature on personal and cultural landscapes.
Official synopsis Publisher
“A love letter to bookstores and libraries.”
—The Boston Globe
The dramatic story of how a humble bookseller fought against incredible odds to bring one of the most important books of the 20th century to the world in this new novel from the author of The Girl in White Gloves.
A PopSugar Much-Anticipated 2022 Novel ∙ A BookTrib Top Ten Historical Fiction Book of Spring ∙ A SheReads’ Best Literary Historical Fiction Coming in 2022 ∙ A Reader’s Digest’s Best Books for Women Written by Female Authors ∙ A BookBub Best Historical Fiction Book of 2022
When bookish young American Sylvia Beach opens Shakespeare and Company on a quiet street in Paris in 1919, she has no idea that she and her new bookstore will change the course of literature itself.
Shakespeare and Company is more than a bookstore and lending library: Many of the prominent writers of the Lost Generation, like Ernest Hemingway, consider it a second home. It’s where some of the most important literary friendships of the twentieth century are forged—none more so than the one between Irish writer James Joyce and Sylvia herself. When Joyce’s controversial novel Ulysses is banned, Beach takes a massive risk and publishes it under the auspices of Shakespeare and Company.
But the success and notoriety of publishing the most infamous and influential book of the century comes with steep costs. The future of her beloved store itself is threatened when Ulysses‘ success brings other publishers to woo Joyce away. Her most cherished relationships are put to the test as Paris is plunged deeper into the Depression and many expatriate friends return to America. As she faces painful personal and financial crises, Sylvia—a woman who has made it her mission to honor the life-changing impact of books—must decide what Shakespeare and Company truly means to her.
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