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thenovelbook's review against another edition
2.0
I started out really liking this! The first couple of chapters were right up my alley. But as it went on, it alternated between long bouts of philosophizing and a plot that advanced glacially slowly on the theme of Germans-are-the-bad-guys, they look normal to begin with but beware the unguarded moments when an expression of utter villainy of the deepest dye will distort their visage, they will beat you up and plant an ill-defined and not very believable bomb in your bookshop... and I just didn't care.
However, in those first few chapters there were some cute moments. One is when a dinner guest notices a sign in Roger Mifflin's kitchen that says, "ALWAYS WASH DISHES
IMMEDIATELY AFTER MEALS
IT SAVES TROUBLE."
He explains that his wife always puts that up when she's going to be absent. I feel like it's probably a sign I should hang in my kitchen too.
And then there is the description of a minor character as "a quiet little man who had a habit of listening to what he heard." I think that's an awesome description.
So, promising in the beginning, but unfortunately it didn't really deliver. I recommend reading the book that comes before this, Parnassus on Wheels, for more satisfaction!
However, in those first few chapters there were some cute moments. One is when a dinner guest notices a sign in Roger Mifflin's kitchen that says, "ALWAYS WASH DISHES
IMMEDIATELY AFTER MEALS
IT SAVES TROUBLE."
He explains that his wife always puts that up when she's going to be absent. I feel like it's probably a sign I should hang in my kitchen too.
And then there is the description of a minor character as "a quiet little man who had a habit of listening to what he heard." I think that's an awesome description.
So, promising in the beginning, but unfortunately it didn't really deliver. I recommend reading the book that comes before this, Parnassus on Wheels, for more satisfaction!
coppercrane2's review
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kbcozy22's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I found a vintage copy of this book. I was so excited to read it and....it was ok. I loved the bookshop owner, his wife, and Tatiana. The bookstore was the perfect setting to get lost in. The spy plot was fine. My biggest dislike was Aubrey Gilbert. Just found him boring- I kept wanting to go back to the story parts with Roger in his bookstore. Overall not bad but not amazing either.
ingramspark's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Such a fun, spooky read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bkschwartz's review against another edition
Honestly, the first book was adorable but this one is REALLY dated, and not in a fun historical way…
karlmarxschooloftaxefficiency's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
lydiawesome's review against another edition
5.0
Part action, part drama, part romance, part mystery, and completely book nerd's delight, this is one of the most fantastic books I have read. Seems hard to believe that this was written in the early part of the last century! If you love books, you will love this book!
mschrock8's review against another edition
3.0
Lots of book talk! Plus friendship and a mystery.
Borrowed on Hoopla through JCPL.
Listening length six hr
Borrowed on Hoopla through JCPL.
Listening length six hr
ipanzica's review against another edition
2.0
I feel like this book was more pretentious then the first book in the series and the romance sub-plot was weaker. The characters in the book were recently complaining about people only wanting to read Tarzan and other books that have a movie version of them in theaters. Though if they are really passionate about getting people to read, wouldn't they be happy that people are reading at all? I really dislike it when people try to shame others for not only reading high-brow books or if they are interested in popular books.
missbookiverse's review against another edition
2.0
2.5
Sehr stimmungsvoll gemütlich von Armin Hauser vorgelesen, aber die Story selbst fand ich unspektakulär. Während ich den Buchladenbesitzer Roger Mifflin und seine neue Gehilfin Titania sehr mochte, war mir Werbeverkäufer Aubrey unsympathisch und ich fand es doof, dass er
Sehr stimmungsvoll gemütlich von Armin Hauser vorgelesen, aber die Story selbst fand ich unspektakulär. Während ich den Buchladenbesitzer Roger Mifflin und seine neue Gehilfin Titania sehr mochte, war mir Werbeverkäufer Aubrey unsympathisch und ich fand es doof, dass er