BOOK REVIEW
Best-selling author Evie Woods lives on the west coast of Ireland and writes her stories in a converted attic.
Treading an intriguing line between the everyday and otherworldly, she reveals the magic that exists in our ordinary lives and that alone was enough to encourage me to pick this book up as a hopelessly romantic bibliophile.
It is a charming, whimsical novel that blends historical fiction with contemporary drama and a touch of magical realism; a story about hope, healing, and the transformative power of books.
This really is an evocative and charming novel, reminiscent of The Echo of Old Books and The Lost Apothecary, set on a quiet street in Dublin.
The historical timeline is very interesting to read, yet distressing.
In the 1920s women were merely the chattel of the male members of their family and their gender ensured they had no social standing.
Woods combines France and her Irish roots into a beautifully woven tale that had me listening to Sidney Bechet and reminded me why I love his music and the gorgeous movie that is Midnight in Paris.
The Lost Bookshop is a must for anyone who, like me, loves mention of the Lost Generation, Sylvia Beach and an era when society and the arts carried a special kind of wonder.
Each of the protagonists has a compelling arc.
Opaline Carlisle comes from a wealthy family but flees from her elder brother’s domineering attitude and the arranged marriage that he insists upon.
She escapes England and travels to Paris, where she finds employment at the infamous Shakespeare and Company book store, and later becomes the owner of a bookshop in Dublin.
Opaline is an ardent fan of the Brontë sisters and is searching for the rumoured second novel of Emily Brontë.
Her story takes a tragic turn when her loathsome brother finds out where she is.
Martha, a modern-day woman escaping an abusive relationship, has left her husband and is terrified he will find her; because of this she has very little self-esteem and, inexplicably, an aversion to books.
She has found work as a house servant for the elderly, wealthy and mysterious Mrs Bowden.
Henry is a shy academic from London who is searching for Emily Brontë’s missing manuscript and the “lost bookshop”.
He has been in the bookshop on Ha’penny Lane in Dublin only once.
The stories intertwine through the mysterious lost bookshop in Dublin; a place that seems to exist out of time, where forgotten stories and people find new life.
Woods evokes a rich literary ambiance, filled with dusty shelves, hidden doors, and the kind of magical realism that fans of The Ten Thousand Doors of January will appreciate.
The novel touches on feminism, the importance of storytelling, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Woods deftly explores how books can serve as both escape and salvation.
The dual timeline format works well, with each thread enhancing the others and culminating in a satisfying conclusion.
Evie Woods crafts a narrative that is both poignant and hopeful, reminding us that it’s never too late to rewrite your story.
Julie Chessman
