by: Nabila Rhapsodios
The Door-to-Door Bookstore is Carsten Henn's work. It was initially published in German as Der Buchspazierer in 2020. I read the English translation, which Manilla Press published in 2023.
The Door-to-Door Bookstore revolves around a man named Carl Kollhoff, 72, who is a full-time staff member at City Gate Bookshop. Sadly, after passing the torch from father to daughter, Carl's responsibilities are limited to a special book delivery service in City Gate Bookshop. Carl individually packages customized selections and delivers them to his customers' doorsteps.
Carl is a loner by nature, which is why he never married. His world only rotates around books and his bookstore office. Carl has forged a special rapport with most of his customers, unsurprisingly because his customers are also loners like himself.
One evening, when Carl is on his way to his customer, a young girl walks with him suddenly next to him. She introduced herself as Schascha and always observed him before this direct contact. Schascha pleads to Carl to let her accompany him on his rounds that evening. Carl has no heart to object to a nine-year-old girl's plea, so he allows Schascha to accompany him. After a few rounds together the following evenings, Schascha proves to be Carl's valuable companion as she quickly befriends his customers and lightens Carl's mood during his rounds.
However, Carl has a shaky relationship with Sabine Gruber, the current manager of City Gate Bookshop, the daughter of the late owner, whom Carl considers a best friend besides his former boss. Sabine and Carl know that with Sabine's father passing, Carl's tenure at the bookshop is nearing its end. But Carl refuses to let anything sever the personal ties he has forged with his dear customers. What follows is a beautiful story about bookshops, friendship, community, and the transformative power of books.
When I just came by to check the New Arrivals display at my favorite imported bookstore in February, my eyes spotted The Door-to-Door Bookstore among book lines up on a shelf. Without thinking twice, I grabbed it and took it to the cashier. Alongside Carsten's work, I bought another great book that day, which I can't wait to share with you all sometime soon.
Here's a list of my honest reviews for The Door-to-Door Bookstore. But remember, as always, my thoughts are my own.
(+) The Pros
a. Carl and Schascha's intergenerational friendship is amusing, reminiscing of Carl and Russell from Pixar's movie Up. Schascha's uncanny insightfulness and unmatched stubbornness are the ideal foil for Carl's accuracy and loneliness
b. I don't know if anything was changed in the English translation, but the story flowed elegantly for me. Be prepared to be entranced, angered, and sad
c. This novel is written with a lot of lyrical language and flawless characters as a homage to humanity, the astonishing wisdom of childlike insight, the profound serenity of old age, and the infinite power of books
(-) The Cons
My only complaint about this novel is that one specific character should be in jail for his despicable actions toward his wife! But everyone lets it slide, and he swiftly gets an unbelievable restoration and forgiveness from a nun! My eyebrows were raised so high when I reached this plot, y'know. Clearly, this subplot about domestic abuse is not managed with appropriate gravity.
A novel, or a book about books, a marvel to behold! I recommend reading it as soon as possible after stumbling upon my review. An uplifting story about a community who have united to help one another courtesy of shared interest in books. A quick read that will tear your heart despite it started a little slow, but don't give up! Give this one a chance. You won't regret reading this.
9.3 out of 10 stars.
*Disclaimer: Courtesy of Google Images. The material published on this website is intended solely for general information and reference purposes and is not legal advice or other professional advice.
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