The Paris Bookseller
Indie bestseller and Veranda Magazine Book Club pick!
Discover the dramatic story of how a humble bookseller fought against incredible odds to bring one of the most important books of the 20th century to the world in this new novel from the author of The Girl in the White Gloves.
When bookish young American Sylvia Beach opens Shakespeare and Company on a quiet street in Paris in 1919, she has no idea that she and her new bookstore will change the course of literature itself.
Shakespeare and Company is more than a bookstore and lending library: Many of the most prominent writers of the Lost Generation, like Ernest Hemingway, consider it a second home. It’s where some of the most important literary friendships of the twentieth century are forged—none more so than the one between Irish writer James Joyce and Sylvia herself. When Joyce’s controversial novel Ulysses is banned, Beach takes a massive risk and publishes it under the auspices of Shakespeare and Company.
But the success and notoriety of publishing the most infamous and influential book of the century comes with steep costs. The future of her beloved store itself is threatened when Ulysses’ success brings other publishers to woo Joyce away. Her most cherished relationships are put to the test as Paris is plunged deeper into the Depression and many expatriate friends return to America. As she faces painful personal and financial crises, Sylvia—a woman who has made it her mission to honor the life-changing impact of books—must decide what Shakespeare and Company truly means to her.
** You can get a signed paperback copy through my favorite local indie, Wellesley Books! Click here to order.
Praise for THE PARIS BOOKSELLER
THE PARIS BOOKSELLER is an Indie Best Seller!
The Paris Bookseller is a Booklist Starred Review
“A fine tribute to a tireless and selfless champion of literary genius.”
– Kirkus
“Maher offers an alluring look at the history of Paris’s Shakespeare and Company bookstore.”
– Publishers Weekly
“Amid Shakespeare and Company’s ups and downs…Sylvia and Adrienne create a loving partnership in a time when queer relationships were far less accepted, even in Paris…With its insider’s view of the literary expat world of 1920s Paris.”
– BookPage
“A beautiful ode to Sylvia Beach, the renowned Shakespeare and Company owner, a real-life heroine who has left her mark on us all.”
–Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Personal Librarian
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“If you ever dreamed you could transport yourself to Paris in the twenties, to Sylvia Beach’s famous bookstore where Joyce, Hemingway, and Pound wandered the aisles, this story’s for you. Maher’s magical touch brings to life a woman whose struggles resonate in today’s world, while also examining the intricacies of friendship, fortitude, and the love of the written word.”
– Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue
“The Paris Bookseller is a novel I long to live in, a vivid evocation of the famous female-owned Parisian bookshop Shakespeare and Company which acted as haven and home to the literati of pre-WWII Europe. Heroine and shop owner Sylvia Beach shepherds seemingly all of the great writers of the 20th century with an appealing blend of warmth, wit, frustration, and understanding. Kerri Maher writes a love letter to books, bookstores, and booklovers everywhere.”
– Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Rose Code
“A story about Paris and bookshops was bound to find a place in my heart but this one has the pièce de résistance: the character of Sylvia Beach. I was completely enthralled by Beach’s life and her tenacity in founding the first English-language bookshop in Paris, while also publishing James Joyce’s epic but controversial Ulysses. With an abundance of delightful cameos from all of your favorite literary heroes as well as a fascinating rendering of Paris’s glory days during the 1920s and 30s, this novel will transport you as only the best historical fiction can.”
– Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Secret
“Midnight in Paris meets A Moveable Feast in this intimate, in-depth look at the brave and visionary woman who founded one of the world’s most iconic bookstores, Shakespeare & Company, on Paris’s Left Bank. Studded with appearances from the likes of James Joyce, Ezra Pound, Gertrude Stein, and Ernest Hemingway, The Paris Bookseller brings alive not only interwar Paris, but also the complicated friendship that led to the publication of Joyce’s epic Ulysses and helped pave the way for Paris’s enduring English-language literary legacy. If you’ve ever fallen in love with a bookstore, you’ll love this ode to booksellers and to the power and magic of the written word.”
– Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Forest of Vanishing Stars
“The Paris Bookseller is a beautifully written homage to those who keep literature alive and to the quirky inhabitants of the literary community whose work sometimes transcends their personal failings. With an open heart and vivid prose, Maher brings to life a lost age and I can’t wait to see what this talented author will tackle next.”
– Stephanie Dray, New York Times bestselling author of The Women of Chateau Layfayette
“In her latest, Maher throws open a window to 1920s Paris and the Lost Generation, dropping readers into the fascinating true story of one woman’s fight to save a masterpiece. Maher weaves a tale that is atmospheric, heartfelt, and brimming with life, leaving no doubt a novel is a living, breathing thing.”
– Michelle Gable, New York Times bestselling author of A Paris Apartment and The Bookseller’s Secret
“Dazzling like Paris, rich and immersive like the work it celebrates, and bursting with heart and passion like every great bookstore, The Paris Bookseller is a dream for book lovers from start to finish.”
– Steven Rowley, Bestselling author of The Editor and The Guncle
“Kerri Maher vividly transports us back in time to the establishment of the world’s most famous and beloved bookstore, Shakespeare and Company. Its founder, Sylvia Beach is brilliantly portrayed as is her fight to publish one of the greatest novels ever written. Filled with such literary luminaries as James Joyce, Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Paris Bookseller is a bibliophile’s dream come true.”
– Renee Rosen, USA Today bestselling author of The Social Graces
“If you’ve ever gotten lost in the narrow, deliciously overcrowded aisles of Shakespeare and Company, or you just want to imagine you have, this is the novel for you. Kerri Maher brings to life the fascinating history of Shakespeare and Company and its founder, Sylvia Beach, whose vision and drive led her to create not only a world-famous bookstore, but to defy the censors and publish the first edition of Joyce’s Ulysses. Intelligent, fierce, and filled with reverence for a fascinating epoch in literary history, The Paris Bookseller is a delight for readers and writers.”
– Whitney Scharer, Author of The Age of Light
“The Paris Bookseller is at once a moving love letter to 1920s Paris, an insight into The Lost Generation, and an ode to a woman’s fight for freedom. It brings to life the all-consuming relationship between a bookseller and a work of art in such a compelling way that I couldn’t stop turning the pages, and I closed the book yearning for a place like Shakespeare and Company. A sparkling read.”
– Evie Dunmore, USA Today bestselling author of Bringing Down the Duke
“The Paris Bookseller is a wonderful tribute to the visionary woman who fought for freedom of speech and changed the landscape of literature forever. By bringing a memorable cast of quirky and charming artistic giants to life, Kerri Maher deftly creates an intimate look at the story behind Shakespeare and Company, one of the most beloved landmarks for readers everywhere. I was captivated by this fascinating story!”
– Elise Hooper, Author of Fast Girls
“A love letter to the extraordinary people who made interwar Paris the place to be for book lovers. With distinctive prose and honesty, Kerri brings to life the glory days of Paris’s most unforgettable bookstore, illuminating a world where leading literary lights await us on every page — and spotlighting the woman who united them all, Miss Sylvia Beach.”
– Bryn Turnbull, Author The Woman Before Wallis
“The unexpected bonus in this mesmerizing novel is the saga of Sylvia Beach’s friendship with James Joyce and her decision to publish Ulysses when publishers showed no interest, a difficult decision made even more difficult by Joyce himself. The Paris Bookseller drops you in the middle of Paris and delicious, intimate encounters with literary greats and soon-to-be-greats who frequented Shakespeare and Company in the years between the World Wars.”
– Janie Chang, Author of Dragon Springs Road and The Library of Legends
“Kerri Maher leads us through Bohemian Paris in the 1920s with all the joie de vivre we could hope for. Through love and books, a fresh Sylvia Beach creates a new life after meeting impressive Parisian bookseller Adrienne Monnier, and by the arrival of Irish writer James Joyce in their circle. A compelling and fascinating look at the world-changing mavericks who bonded, bickered and triumphed in the realm of literature.”
– Nuala O’Connor, author of Nora: A Love Story of Nora and James Joyce
“Kerri Maher’s The Paris Bookseller tells the captivating story of Sylvia Beach, her famed bookstore Shakespeare and Company, and the tremendous role both played in the artistic landscape of interwar Paris. Here literary giants are brought to vivid life in the aisles of a charming Parisian bookshop, and we see not only their humanity, but also their courage in forging new paths in a changing world. Inspiring, fascinating, and delightful, this story will resonate with readers long after the final page.”
– Kristin Beck, Author of Courage, My Love
“Absorbing, intricate, and beautifully told, The Paris Bookseller is the unforgettable true story of Sylvia Beach, a champion of modern literature who made enormous sacrifices in the struggle to publish James Joyce’s classic novel, Ulysses, while also establishing Shakespeare and Company, a bookstore that became the Parisian home for literary luminaries of her day. With all the color and verve of post WWI Paris and the deep love of literature that pervades every page, The Paris Bookseller is a novel for book lovers to treasure.”
– Christine Wells, Author of Sisters of the Resistance
“The Paris Bookseller lulls you into an interwar Parisian dream where love – be it romantic, friendly, or even for a book – can be found on a quirky little street in the 6th. Kerri Maher’s pen skillfully imagines the life of American expat Sylvia Beach and her bookstore Shakespeare and Company in the 1920s and 1930s. This book is a charming escape into the real life literary paradise that was once known as Odeonia.”
– Kaia Alderson, author of Sisters in Arms
“A scrupulously-researched, enchanting novel, The Paris Bookseller is a feast of literary pre-war Paris. I was transported by Maher’s portrait of the iconic Sylvia Beach and her magical bookshop.”
– Michaela Carter, author of Leonora in the Morning Light
“With a cast of characters that span the Lost Generations’ literary pantheon, The Paris Bookseller offers up both a sweeping story of artistic creativity in the face of censorship as well as an intimate portrait of one woman’s struggle to remain true to herself. Maher’s lush writing and rich historical detail will have you thinking about Sylvia and her bookshop long after you’ve turned the final page.”
– Alex Rickloff, Author of The Way to London
Online Coverage
- Columbia University School of the Arts – Spotlight
- Biblio Lifestyle – “Most Anticipated Winter 2022 Historical Fiction Books”
- Readers Digest – “40 of the Best Books for Women Written by Female Authors”
- SheReads – “Best Literary Historical Fiction Coming in 2022”
- Hasty Book List – “Most Anticipated Historical Novels of 2022”
- LGBTQReads – “Most Anticipated LBGTQ+ Adult Fiction”
- PopSugar – “67 Books That Will Make Their Much-Anticipated Debut in 2022”
- The Young Folks – “January 2022 New Book Releases: Start the New Year”
- The Nerd Daily – “January 2022 Releases”
- SheMazing – “Cosy Books and Thrilling Page-Turners to Dive Into This January”
- The Southern Bookseller Review – Recommended Reading
- LGBTQReads – January New Release Roundup
- BookReporter.com – “On Sale This Week” newsletter
- BookTrib – “Top 10 Historical Fiction Books for the Spring”
- BookBub – “The Best Historical Fiction Books of 2022”
- The Avid Pen – “Most Anticipated New Releases for January”
- The Lesbrary – “24 Bi and Lesbian Books Out This Month”
- Writer’s Digest – Interview
- Veranda – “The 22 Most-Anticipated Books of the New Year”
- TripFiction – Kerri’s Walking Tour of Paris
- BookRiot – “Quiz: What Book Should I Read Next?”
- Hasty Book List – First Chapter Excerpt
- LitHub – Guest Piece – A Personal Catalogue of the World’s Most Storied Bookstores
- Harlequin Junkie – Q&A
- Writer’s Digest – Guest Essay – On Playing the Long Game
- Lavender Magazine – Review
- Fangirlish – Review
Interviews
- What to Read Next podcast
- The Book Bistro podcast
- How Do You Write podcast
- KSCO From The Bookshelf
- Moments with Marianne, iHeart Radio
- Top Shelf at the Merrick Library
- Books and the City podcast
- Join Us In France podcast
- Ink Drinkers podcast – “Books to Look Forward to in 2022”
- Thoughts From a Page podcast
- The Avid Reader Show podcast
- The Shit No One Tells You About Writing podcast
- Syosset Public Library’s Turn the Page podcast
- WMUK
- The Reading and Writing podcast
- On Mic with Jordan Rich podcast
- LitHub’s The Literary Life podcast
- The Lori and Julia Show on MyTalk 107.1 KTMY Radio
- Chatter on Books podcast
- Last Word on KSFR
Penguin Random House Radio Satellite Tour:
- “Mornings on Maine” – WDUN FM (Atlanta, GA)
- “Having Read That” – KSCJ AM/FM (Sioux City, IA)
- “Mornings with Warren Lawrence” – WKNY AM/FM (Kingston, NY)
- “What We’re Reading” – KAXE FM NPR Affiliate (MN)
- “The Bill Newman Show” – WHMP FM (MA)
- “The Vinnie Penn Project” – WELI AM/FM (CT)
- “North Country Bookmarks” – North Country Public Radio NPR Affiliate (NY, VT, Ontario)
- The Laydown Podcast – Gibson’s Bookstore
- “Life Elsewhere” – WMNF FM NPR One (Tampa, FL)
- “Studio Tulsa” – KWGS FM NPR Affiliate (Tulsa, OK)
- “Idaho Matters” – KBSX FM NPR Affiliate (Boise, ID)
- Inside the Writer’s Studio podcast
- Manuscript Academy podcast
Foreign Editions
UK Edition Reviews
“An intriguing story, beguilingly told”
– Mail on Sunday
“Absorbing and beautifully written…
The Paris Bookseller transports you to 1920s Paris – and keeps you utterly captivated with its vivid cast of characters and their bohemian lifestyles”
– Heat
“A compelling coming-of-age tale, in addition to an impressive piece of historical fiction”
– Culturefly
“A book for the bookshop lovers . . . an absorbing novel about the life changing nature of our favourite reads”
– Belfast Telegraph
“A compelling and fascinating look at the world-changing mavericks who bonded, bickered and triumphed in the realm of literature”
– Nuala O”Connor
“A compelling portrait of a remarkable woman, who steps from the pages in all her charm, courage and vulnerability”
Gill Paul
“Intelligent, fierce and filled with reverence for a fascinating epoch in literary history… a delight for readers and writers”
– Whitney Scharer, author of The Age of Light
“Lulls you into an interwar Parisian dream where love – be it romantic, friendly or even for a book – can be found on a quirky little street in the 6th”
– Kaia Alderson, author of Sisters in Arms
Australian Reviews
“An intriguing story, beguilingly told”
– Mail on Sunday
“Absorbing and beautifully written…
The Paris Bookseller transports you to 1920s Paris – and keeps you utterly captivated with its vivid cast of characters and their bohemian lifestyles”
– Heat
“A compelling coming-of-age tale, in addition to an impressive piece of historical fiction”
– Culturefly
“A book for the bookshop lovers . . . an absorbing novel about the life changing nature of our favourite reads”
– Belfast Telegraph
“A compelling and fascinating look at the world-changing mavericks who bonded, bickered and triumphed in the realm of literature”
– Nuala O”Connor
“A compelling portrait of a remarkable woman, who steps from the pages in all her charm, courage and vulnerability”
Gill Paul
“Intelligent, fierce and filled with reverence for a fascinating epoch in literary history… a delight for readers and writers”
– Whitney Scharer, author of The Age of Light
“Lulls you into an interwar Parisian dream where love – be it romantic, friendly or even for a book – can be found on a quirky little street in the 6th”
– Kaia Alderson, author of Sisters in Arms
THE PARIS BOOKSELLER will also be published in the following countries:
- Brazil – Intrinseca
- Catalan – Navona/Folch & Folch
- Czech – Grada
- Finland – Bazar Kustannus
- Germany – Insel Verlag
- Hungary – Nouvion Trade Sociedad Anonima
- Italy – Garzanti
- The Netherlands – Orlando
- Romania – Humanitas
- Slovenia – HKZ
- Spain – Navona/Folch & Folch
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