47 pages • 1 hour read
The Paris Bookseller
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
312
Novel • Fiction
Paris, France • 1920s
2022
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In The Paris Bookseller by Kerri Maher, Sylvia Beach opens the English-language bookshop Shakespeare and Company in Paris, befriends authors like James Joyce, and endeavors to publish his controversial novel Ulysses, amidst personal and financial challenges. The book discusses a mother’s suicide and includes outdated, offensive terms for gay and lesbian people.
Informative
Nostalgic
Inspirational
Romantic
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
16,684 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Kerri Maher's The Paris Bookseller is praised for its vivid historical setting and rich character development, bringing the literary scene of 1920s Paris to life. However, some readers find the pacing slow and the narrative occasionally bogged down by excessive detail. Overall, it is a well-researched and engaging read for fans of literary history.
Who Should Read The Paris Bookseller?
Readers who savor historical fiction and literary history will adore Kerri Maher’s The Paris Bookseller. Fans of Paula McLain’s The Paris Wife and Amor Towles’ A Gentleman in Moscow will appreciate this enchanting tale set in 1920s Paris, showcasing a vibrant literary community centered around Sylvia Beach’s iconic bookstore.
16,684 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Adrienne Monnier
Adrienne Monnier
Adrienne is Sylvia's partner and a fellow bookseller, providing key support and contrast to Sylvia's character. She is known for her passion for life, her literary contributions, and her guidance in Sylvia's personal journey.
James Joyce
James Joyce
A major literary figure who significantly impacts Sylvia's life, James Joyce is known for his influential work, particularly Ulysses, which Sylvia publishes. His relationships with those around him are complex and often challenging.
Eleanor Beach
Eleanor Beach
Sylvia's mother, Eleanor Beach, is a source of inspiration and support for Sylvia. She is characterized by her love for beauty and her efforts to create a Parisian lifestyle, visiting Sylvia frequently throughout her journey.
Cyprian Beach
Cyprian Beach
Sylvia's younger sister, Cyprian, is a beautiful and confident performer who shares a close relationship with Sylvia. Her career and self-image are tied to her physical beauty and youth.
312
Novel • Fiction
Paris, France • 1920s
2022
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.