Shakespeare and Company
2 journalers for this copy...
This is a wonderful book that I found 5/12/16--dumped by my public library -- I rescued 4 grocery bags of books that night. Apparently the new director uses a computer program and dumps books every week. It is an amazing account of the literary movement including the American writers in Paris in the early 1900's through the 20's, Depression and ends with Paris liberation of World War II. Spoilers (sort of follow). It is a string of anecdotes some more detailed than others. Shakespeare and Co. at the time was both a bookstore and English language lending library to the expat and tourist community in Paris. Much centers on her undertaking of publishing Ulysses by James Joyce and functioning as a quasi-personal manager of sorts. This was a very lively and experimental time in history and literature and I have new respect of Hemingway. My impression of him largely from his later years as being very over the top with the machismo and all about "him" -- but here in her stories/memories he is young and very driven, and helpful to other writers in trouble with debts, lack of connections and French speaking skills. Apparently, a good friend of James Joyce, Hemingway also helped them smuggle Ulysses into the US and he returned to help liberate Paris during WWII. No idea I just thought he was a volunteer ambulance driver in WWI, etc. Again I'm so glad I rescued this book. To note, Beach never re-opened her original store/library. The present day Shakespeare and Company in Paris--today is run by the founder's daughter. He had opened his English language book store and named it after Beach's store. Sadly, I've never visited but many folks I've met said the owner (he) would be in store or his adjacent apartment and it was a great honor to be asked for drink/party. Many U.S. tourists especially women traveling alone said to me, said the bookstore was a good place to meet other single female travelers to band together and tour around, etc. For more on the Shakespeare & Co. in Paris, they have an updated website, cafe, and internship program "Tumbleweeds." More info. posted online than ever before--I think this is probably a major/recent updating by his daughter/the present owner manager.
Released to Bookcrossing-Friend, June meet-up Boston Bookcrossing!
Received from fellow bookcrosser. About 10% of way through. Engaging memoir about setting up a bookshop in Paris at a time when literary activity was vibrant. A bridge between American and French literary scene.