The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald

Once again, I picked up another book from the library shelf because of its title.

This turned out to be a short novel about a widow who was determined to open a book store where it seemed impossible to thrive. The setting is London, in a seaside town in 1959.

Florence Green is losing sleep at night.  Is her decision to purchase an old decrepit property and turn it into a book shop keeping her awake at night?

Despite objections from the towns’ residents, she opens her bookstore.   Mrs. Gamart, the town patron wanted to purchase the building and make it an arts center.  She has friends in high places that could make this happen in spite of Florence having already purchased the property.

The trials that Florence faces, mostly from the neighbors and Mrs. Gamart, make you wonder if she will give up but she doesn’t give in to the pressure to move her store to another location.  She is the little engine that could. 

There is one townsperson on her side. Mr. Brundish, who is considered one of the eldest residents, confronts Mrs. Gamart to stop harassing Florence.  Unfortunately, he dies before he can visit the court himself to protest.

Florence is described at a small, wiry shaped woman who would not be noticed for anything grandeur but wearing the same coat every winter. She does her best until eventually she has to close the bookstore.  Another bookstore is opened in a neighboring town and they are bringing in more visitors in a day then her store in one week.   Even after selling the novel Lolita, she cannot keep the bookstore in the black. 

The author was in her 60’s before she published her first novel which was titled The Golden Child.   In 20 years she managed to publish nine novels.  She died at 84.  I did enjoy this tale.  Florence gives hope.