‘The Door-to-Door Bookstore’ by Carsten Henn
There’s a book written for every one of us…
Carl may be 72 years old, but he’s young at heart. Every night he goes door-to-door delivering books by hand to his loyal customers. He knows their every desire and preference, carefully selecting the perfect story for each person.
One evening as he makes his rounds, nine-year-old Schascha appears. Loud and precocious, she insists on accompanying him – and even tries to teach him a thing or two about books.
When Carl’s job at the bookstore is threatened, will the old man and the girl in the yellow raincoat be able to restore Carl’s way of life, and return the joy of reading to his little European town?
‘THE DOOR-TO-DOOR BOOKSTORE’ is a heart-warming tale of the value of friendship, the magic of reading, and the power of books to unite us all.
Translated by Melody Shaw
Sometimes one comes across a novel so simple in its artistry, so clean in its articulation and so charming and comfortable in its own skin that it deserves to be shared far and wide.
Carsten Henn’s ‘The Door-to-Door Bookshop’, lovingly translated by Melody Shaw is one such novel. Its setting and characterisation feels almost like a novelisation of a Wes Anderson film. The characters are charming and the plot matters less than the relationships between them and the pure joy of books, reading and friendship.
Like a love of literature – this deserves to be shared with the ones you love.
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Author Bio – Carsten Henn has worked as a radio presenter, wine and restaurant critic, and has published a number of successful novels. He lives in Germany.
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