THE BOOKSTORE
by Deborah Meyler | Publication: August 20, 2013Gallery Books | Genre: Women’s Fiction
Rating: ★★★
____________________________________________________________________
A witty, sharply observed debut novel about a young woman who finds unexpected salvation while working in a quirky used bookstore in Manhattan.
Impressionable and idealistic, Esme Garland is a young British woman who finds herself studying art history in New York. She loves her apartment and is passionate about the city and her boyfriend; her future couldn’t look brighter. Until she finds out that she’s pregnant.
Esme’s boyfriend, Mitchell van Leuven, is old-money rich, handsome, successful, and irretrievably damaged. When he dumps Esme—just before she tries to tell him about the baby—she resolves to manage alone. She will keep the child and her scholarship, while finding a part-time job to make ends meet. But that is easier said than done, especially on a student visa.
The Owl is a shabby, second-hand bookstore on the Upper West Side, an all-day, all-night haven for a colorful crew of characters: handsome and taciturn guitar player Luke; Chester, who hyperventilates at the mention of Lolita; George, the owner, who lives on protein shakes and idealism; and a motley company of the timeless, the tactless, and the homeless. The Owl becomes a nexus of good in a difficult world for Esme—but will it be enough to sustain her? Even when Mitchell, repentant and charming, comes back on the scene?
A rousing celebration of books, of the shops where they are sold, and of the people who work, read, and live in them, The Bookstore is also a story about emotional discovery, the complex choices we all face, and the accidental inspirations that make a life worth the reading.
Impressionable and idealistic, Esme Garland is a young British woman who finds herself studying art history in New York. She loves her apartment and is passionate about the city and her boyfriend; her future couldn’t look brighter. Until she finds out that she’s pregnant.
Esme’s boyfriend, Mitchell van Leuven, is old-money rich, handsome, successful, and irretrievably damaged. When he dumps Esme—just before she tries to tell him about the baby—she resolves to manage alone. She will keep the child and her scholarship, while finding a part-time job to make ends meet. But that is easier said than done, especially on a student visa.
The Owl is a shabby, second-hand bookstore on the Upper West Side, an all-day, all-night haven for a colorful crew of characters: handsome and taciturn guitar player Luke; Chester, who hyperventilates at the mention of Lolita; George, the owner, who lives on protein shakes and idealism; and a motley company of the timeless, the tactless, and the homeless. The Owl becomes a nexus of good in a difficult world for Esme—but will it be enough to sustain her? Even when Mitchell, repentant and charming, comes back on the scene?
A rousing celebration of books, of the shops where they are sold, and of the people who work, read, and live in them, The Bookstore is also a story about emotional discovery, the complex choices we all face, and the accidental inspirations that make a life worth the reading.
____________________________________________________________________
The Bookstore follows Esme Garland, a British scholar at Columbia University pursuing her Ph.D. in Art History. Shortly after arriving in New York City, she meets and falls in love with Mitchell van Leuven, a man from an old-money family. When Esme unexpectedly finds out she is pregnant, Mitchell breaks up with her before she even has a chance to tell him.
Despite the looming challenges, Esme decides to keep the baby. She finds solace and support through a part-time job at The Owl, a cozy secondhand bookstore on the Upper West Side that she frequently visits. Though the shop and its colorful community offer a safe haven, Esme still faces tough decisions as her journey unfolds.
The prose itself is noticeably academic. Rather than relying on namedrops of famous authors, the writing style itself feels scholarly. While some readers might find this approach slightly pretentious, I actually enjoyed it. However, the narrative stumbles when it attempts to pivot into more juvenile territory; certain sexual scenes and dialogues lack finesse, feeling unnatural and off-putting. Additionally, the academic style occasionally leads to digressions that neither advance the plot nor maintain its momentum.
Despite the looming challenges, Esme decides to keep the baby. She finds solace and support through a part-time job at The Owl, a cozy secondhand bookstore on the Upper West Side that she frequently visits. Though the shop and its colorful community offer a safe haven, Esme still faces tough decisions as her journey unfolds.
What Worked
As someone drawn to books about books and bookstores, the premise instantly hooked me. I particularly appreciated the core themes Deborah Meyler explores: the value of life, womanhood, and independence.- Value of Life: This theme shines through Esme’s decision to keep her baby, grounded in her personal ethics rather than religion. It is reinforced when Dennis, a regular at The Owl, passes away with the quiet tragedy of facing an unmarked grave in a public cemetery—a moment that deeply affects Esme and her friends.
- Womanhood & Independence: Esme captures relatable vulnerabilities through her anxieties, idealism, and fickleness. She continually wrestles with her desire for independence versus her longing for Mitchell’s affection, even as she struggles to see past his blatant arrogance and manipulation.
What Didn't Work
While the supporting characters around the bookstore remain active throughout the plot, they lack meaningful development beyond a few persistent quirks.The prose itself is noticeably academic. Rather than relying on namedrops of famous authors, the writing style itself feels scholarly. While some readers might find this approach slightly pretentious, I actually enjoyed it. However, the narrative stumbles when it attempts to pivot into more juvenile territory; certain sexual scenes and dialogues lack finesse, feeling unnatural and off-putting. Additionally, the academic style occasionally leads to digressions that neither advance the plot nor maintain its momentum.
Final Thoughts
Despite a few missteps, The Bookstore offers an uplifting look at navigating real-life challenges, making difficult choices, and appreciating the diverse people around us.TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TUMBLR | BLOGLOVIN | GOODREADS
About the Author:
Deborah Meyler was born in Manchester, read English at Oxford University, and completed a Master of Philosophy thesis on American fiction at St. Andrews University. She eventually moved to New York, where she worked in a bookshop for six years, sold paintings, and had three children. She now lives in Cambridge and is working on her next novel.
Deborah Meyler was born in Manchester, read English at Oxford University, and completed a Master of Philosophy thesis on American fiction at St. Andrews University. She eventually moved to New York, where she worked in a bookshop for six years, sold paintings, and had three children. She now lives in Cambridge and is working on her next novel.
*Simon & Schuster CA provided the eARC
in exchange for this unbiased review.
This is a free ad.
in exchange for this unbiased review.
This is a free ad.
Posts
0 Comments:
Post a Comment