Reviews

Parnassus on Wheels by Christopher Morley

ineffable_bowtie's review against another edition

5.0

I picked this up as part of a $5 box sale at my local library. What a find! I would have never had a chance to know this great story otherwise. Cute and quick read for when you want a pallette cleansing break from heavier reads.

thenovelbook's review

4.0

Short and splendid. A 39-year-old spinster named Helen McGill keeps house for her brother, who's always going off on trips and leaving her at home to be the practical one.

One day a traveling book salesman with a horse and customized wagon (think like an RV, only personally crafted) shows up. His name is Roger Mifflin. His mission in life is to get decent books to the common man (and woman). But he's decided to give up the life and settle down with his brother in Brooklyn so he can write his own book. He needs to sell his horse and wagon, a setup he has named Parnassus.

Helen is afraid her brother will want to buy it and drive around in it, abandoning her even more than he already does. So she decides to buy it herself and strike out on her first adventure ever. She packs some essentials, leaves her brother a note (in which she remarks that the magazines call this "the revolt of womanhood" and then urges him to remember to wear warm underwear), and off she goes.

Roger Mifflin is along for the ride, just until they reach a train station where he can depart. As they travel, Helen absorbs his philosophy on the essential importance of reading, and sees his salesmanship in action. He's a funny little man, but everybody loves him. After the first day or two it becomes obvious that they're a team that's meant to be. What could stand in the way of bookish bliss? A Gypsy raid, a jealous brother, an unexpected arrest...

Definitely recommend. It's really funny and cute! And doesn't take long to read.

tamagojin88's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

lynecia's review

5.0

A must read for any bibliophile. Delightful!

onogygia's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

lady_mair's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Meh. 
I enjoyed the historical setting of this novella, but the plot and many of a particular character’s speeches/monologues seemed contrived.

nbgarrett's review against another edition

5.0

Such a fun read! I needed a lighthearted story and this fit the bill.

anikaslibrary's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

"What absurd victims of contrary desires we are! If a man is settled in one place he yearns to wander; when he wanders he yearns to have a home. And yet how bestial is content--all the great things in life are done by discontented people."

"I think reading a good book makes one modest. When you see the marvelous insight into human nature which a truly great book shows, it is bound to make you feel small--like looking at the Dipper on a clear night, or seeing the winter sunrise when you go out to collect the morning eggs. And anything that makes you feel small is might good for you."

So many cute quotes in this delightful novella! It was definitely not something I would've picked up unless it was on my "out of comfort zone" reads but it was a cute book and it got me laughing at some parts too! Love how she was slowly falling in love with him throughout the book and I love that he really admired her for her tenacity. It was a great book to show the greatness of books and how we are are discontented with things we should be content with. 

bookwoman1967's review against another edition

3.0

Charming little book published originally in 1917. Source of the book lover's quote “When you sell a man a book you don't sell just twelve ounces of paper and ink and glue - you sell him a whole new life. Love and friendship and humour and ships at sea by night - there's all heaven and earth in a book, a real book.”

coppercrane2's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5