The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald || Book Review

What’s better than reading books? Reading books that involve books.

It’s a win-win situation, and so far I’ve been struggling to find a book that really lives up to the expectations. I’ve tried with The Jane Austen Book Club and that was a miss completely.

So I turned to this book and… It’s another no.

DISCLAIMER: This review could contain possible spoilers based on my opinions. All opinions and views are my own.

Book review: The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald #bookreview #penelopefitzgerald #historicalfictionbooks #psychology #booktwt #bookaddict #booktwitter
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Originally published: 1978

Pages: 163
Format: Ebook

Plot from GoodReads:

In 1959 Florence Green, a kindhearted widow with a small inheritance, risks everything to open a bookshop – the only bookshop – in the seaside town of Hardborough. By making a success of a business so impractical, she invites the hostility of the town’s less prosperous shopkeepers. By daring to enlarge her neighbors’ lives, she crosses Mrs. Gamart, the local arts doyenne. Florence’s warehouse leaks, her cellar seeps, and the shop is apparently haunted. Only too late does she begin to suspect the truth: a town that lacks a bookshop isn’t always a town that wants one.

Thoughts:

The writing style wasn’t too complex so it was easy to read.

You were suppose to draw from the inspiration behind Florence’s idea and commitment but it majorly lacked for me.

I have to give a high-five to Florence for her perseverance and not backing down no matter the negativity and backlash she faced.

Some things in the book I did like, like exposing the truths about human nature, and that small towns aren’t always as comfy and friendly as they are portrayed.

The ending was unexpected and a little harsh.