The Paris Bookseller Book Review

“Not every star is like the étoile polar, chérie. Some are more elusive, more subtle. But they are no less brilliant, no less important.”

If you’ve ever romanticized the idea of moving to Paris to become a writer like so many of the great literary minds of our time, this book may just ensure your plane ticket.

The Paris Bookseller by Kerri Maher takes you back in time to a post-WWI Paris where we find a familiar cast of characters who are full of hope, inspiration, immense talent, and determined conviction.

While I was deep into planning my own trip to Paris, I came across this book in one of my favourite bookshops. It sat gleaming on the shelf and I simply can’t resist picking up any novel that has the word “book” or “bookstore” on the cover!

My brief love affair with Paris spanned about 3 days in 2012 when I visited from London with my Australian roommate and good friend Lizzie. Shakespeare and Company bookshop was high on my list of places to see back then and after reading this, a visit to this iconic shop still reigns top of my list for places to visit in Paris.

Summary

Spanning the sparkling and tumultuous years between 1917-1936, this historical fiction follows Sylvia, a young, bookish American in Paris, as she opens an English-language bookshop called Shakespeare and Company. Her little shop in bohemian Paris begins to attract all kinds of writers and artists, becoming a sanctuary, resource, and meeting place for the likes of Ernst Hemmingway, Ezra Pound, James Joyce, Gertrude Stein, and many others.

Excerpts of Joyce’s upcoming novel, Ulysses, have caused quite a stir and the yet unfinished revolutionary book is already being banned across the globe. Sylvia is compelled to step in and offer to publish Ulysses through her bookshop, an undertaking that turns out to be much more than she bargained for! Sylvia has to juggle the new challenges of publishing, the continued running of her growing business, her romantic relationship with French bookshop owner Adrienne Monnier, whisperings of unrest in neighbouring Germany, and the many colourful friendships and connections she makes with some of history’s most infamous writers.

Book Review

To me, this ode to Sylvia Beach and her enigmatic bookshop is a call to all of us to find our purpose and live courageously.

In the beginning, we see Sylvia as she struggles to find meaning in her life. She has low self-worth and is constantly comparing herself to others. I am sure many of us can relate to this. She feels she should be doing more with her life, that she will never find true and lasting love, that her dreams are too far-fetched and who is she to live the life she truly desires. The early chapters of this book offer a beautiful opportunity to pause and reflect on how we think about ourselves and own dreams and desires.

Read on for some inspired journal prompts you can use to engage with the text.

By building a connection with French bookshop owner Adrienne Monnier, she becomes inspired, enamoured, and awakens to her own life purpose. She begins to believe in herself. It's a testament to the power of love and connection, making us feel safe to be seen and reach our full potential.

This novel is brimming with female empowerment and is also very queer friendly. I learned a lot about Paris in the 1920’s and how it had become something of a haven for queer culture due to the decriminalization of same-sex marriage after the French Revolution. The Paris Bookseller offers what feels like a rare look into the life of a trailblazing, passionate, queer woman from the past who was making her way in “a man’s world.”

Sylvia’s courage and conviction is nothing short of inspiring. Her quest for satisfaction and happiness in her career, relationship, and friendships is both endearing and relatable. I was sad to say goodbye to this wonderfully real character.

Author Kerri Maher has painted a vibrant picture of Paris in the ‘20s and provided a beautiful homage to not only the iconic bookshop but to Sylvia Beach herself. The book was an effortless read, the characters were vivid and engaging, and the depth of storytelling is something I won’t soon forget.

If you can’t yet book your flight to Paris, this might be the next best thing.

Inspired Journal Prompts

How do I feel about my own worthiness?

What are the passions of my life?

What is my purpose, or what do I feel called to do?

What, if anything, am I allowing to get in my way from having the life I desire?

What personal relationship in my life feels strained?

How can I create healthy boundaries in this relationship?

About the Author

Kerri Maher is an American author based in Massachusetts. She has her MFA from Columbia and went on to teach writing for eight years. Her debut novel, The Kennedy Debutante, was published in 2018 and she has gone on to write other historical fictions since. She also founded YARN, an award-winning journal of Young Adult literature.