The Lost Bookshop

It was great! I couldn't put it down until I found out what happened with everyone. Thank you.

アイルランド，ダブリンを舞台とする稀覯書と古書店をめぐる物語．Dual time line構成で，1920年代初頭，Opalineは不本意な結婚から逃避し，ひょんなことからダブリンで古書店を開くことになる．そこそこ成功するうちに，「嵐が丘」が唯一の著作とされるEmily Brontëに，実は未完の次作があることを発見する．そして現代，稀覯書の研究者として論文を書くためにOpalineの資料を求めるHenryは，かつてOpalineの書店があった場所を訪れ，一瞬は書店を目にしたように思うが，ふと気づくとそこには古い建物があるだけで書店があった形跡もない．しかし，そこに住み込み家政婦として働くMarthaとともに謎解きに挑む．章ごとに，それぞれに複雑な生い立ちをもつ3人の主人公Opaline, Henry, Marthaの語りを通じて物語は進む． 古書マーケットの裏話，戦間期の救貧院の話しなど時代背景も描き込まれ，恋愛も絡んで全体としては良く書けている．ただ一つ難点は，超自然現象が登場し，これがストーリー展開上重要な役割を担っている点である．これについては好みがあろうが，個人的には超自然現象が絡む小説は嫌いである．所詮小説なので何があっても良いとは思うが，それでも，こんな事もありうるか．．．と思える程度の虚構にとどまって欲しい．なので星1つ減らして4つ．

Very well

The flow of the story switches between the past and present. It gives readers a perspective of both ends where you feel like you are getting ahead of the characters only to realize that you are not. You arrive the same time as the characters. The magical aspect of the book is strangely unique. Well-written, not overly done. I'm in love with the growing tree at the basement! I liked how it's also a love story but that its subtle, like a sub-plot. It revolves mainly in the mystery of the lost bookshop and how it all relates to the main characters, Martha and Henry. Indulge me the pleasure to say that the mysterious Madame Bowden is my favorite character not just in this book but of all time.

久しぶりに純文学らしい本を読んだ。普段はミステリーや刑事ものとかTVドラマ化されるような大衆小説っぽいものを読んでるのだけどベストセラー紹介のサンプルを読んでいて読み切ってしまった。現代に生きるMarthaとHenry、1921年のOpalineのストーリーをそれぞれ一人称で綴って行く。前半は内容をうまく把握できずだらだらと読んでいたが先後に過去と現代が繋がる。消えた本屋の謎を求めてロンドンからダブリンにやって来たHenryと夫のDVから逃れてダブリンに来たMarthaそして1921年にロンドンからパリに逃れて貴重な本を取り扱う本屋に職を得るOpaline。物語の中でSally Rooney のNormal People やCharles Dickens、Virginia Woolf、Kazuo Ishiguro なんかも紹介されていてKazuo Ishiguro は別として他の古典的な有名小説は読んだことがないと思った。 次はOliver Twistでも読もうかな(^^)

1921年、家族の束縛から逃れてロンドンからパリに移った Opalin。Shakespeare and Company(書店) に職を得て、エミリー・ブロンテの2作目を追求したりするが、その後の人生はあまりにも苛酷で、悲しい。しかし勇気をもって立ち向かっていく。 一方現代のダブリン。夫のＤＶから逃れて田舎の町からやってきた Martha と 消えた本屋の消息や失われた原稿を探し求め続けてロンドンからやってきた研究者の Henry。2人は出会い、紆余曲折を経つつ愛を育んでいく。 本書はこれら Opalin、Martha と Henry がそれぞれ一人称で語る章立てになっていて、同時代の Martha と Henry は繋がってわかりやすいが、遠い昔の Opalin の人生は独立した物語のように思われて、最終章に向かうにしたがって、様々な伏線から、三者がみごとに繋がるという結末となる。 歴史的時代背景には考えさせられるものがあり、三者をそれぞれ取りまく人物たちも魅力的で、あちこちにちりばめられるイギリス文学の断片も楽しめる。 しかし、Martha がダブリンで家政婦の職を得て働く老婦人の存在や、ある筈の書店が消えてしまった謎など、肝心の部分が、ファンタジー的に扱われているのが、本書の深い意味を損なってしまったように思われて残念。あくまでリアリズムを貫いてほしかった。

Do not spend time on this very badly written book. It's boring but that's fine. Characters are all the same, stupid, not well written. If you respect your time do not read it

1⭐ is for the quality of the book Martha has escaped from an abusive home, seeking refuge in Madame Bowden's house as a housekeeper. Henry is a Ph.D. student who is in a quest for an old lost manuscript, and a lost bookshop. When, the two strangers end up in search of a lost bookshop, which should have been next door to Madame Bowden's house, but isn't! However fate intertwines their paths in the search of the lost bookshop and missing manuscript. The secret becomes more intricate and profound as they begin to unravel it. What secret does the bookshop hold? This book is a charming novel blended with magical realism, historical fiction, bibliophilia, and romance. The story follows three main protagonists which are set in Dublin, London and Paris. It has multiple POVs with a dual timeline; it is narrated back and forth at alternative chapters. Opaline, is a headstrong character who built her own dream against all odds. Martha's character was a polar opposite to Opaline, she was naive and a girl with dreams, holding up to herself. Henry's character was full of ambition and charming. Madame Bowden is my favourite side character, she is quirky and mysterious. The character development was great, and the readers will get to know them throughout the book. The plot and the world build up was impeccable, with unexpected twists and turns. The magical element was subtle and charming. The author's writing was lyrical and whimsical. She also highlights female liberation, domestic abuse, healing and loss. The author was excellent at weaving stories inside a story. I love how beautifully she involved classical literature and those authors in it, which literally gave life to the plot. It was a heartwarming and heartbreaking read. Overall, I devoured every page of this book

What an extraordinary story and I absolutely loved the way the story unfolded in such a beautiful way. I love, love, loved the characters. They were so well developed and had such depth to them. You are instantly hooked by the story and the two parallel timelines that have you both fascinating and interesting. The story is a cross between historical fiction, magic realism, fiction and romance, and I thought the way the author cleverly weaved the story together was absolutely genius. This is a story about being in the right place at the right time, self discovery, and trusting and believing in oneself. Do yourself a big favour and read this book. It’s absolutely magical ❤️📖

really nice plot that gives you expectations till the end.

Evie Woods tells another beautifully written and magical story with The Lost Bookshop. Her prose has a way of drawing you in with its quiet charm, blending a touch of whimsy with heartfelt depth. This book brings together multiple perspectives and timelines, centering around Martha, Henry, and Opaline, three very different characters whose lives are unexpectedly linked through the mystery of a hidden bookshop. Each of their journeys feels layered and meaningful: Martha’s escape from a controlling life, Henry’s search for belonging, and Opaline’s historical thread filled with resilience and secrets. While their stories unfold separately, the way Woods weaves them together creates a sense of fate and timelessness that I really enjoyed. The setting itself feels like a character, an enchanting, almost otherworldly bookshop that seems to appear when it’s needed most. It carries that sense of wonder that book lovers will instantly connect with, reminding us of the magic that stories and words can hold. The characters and their growth made the journey worthwhile. It’s not just about books, it’s about second chances, self-discovery, and finding strength in unexpected places. A lovely, atmospheric read for anyone who believes in the quiet power of stories.

Starts off slow.. Then the momentum picks up as u go.