Customer Reviews

The Haunted Bookshop

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Usually the sequel is never as good as the original, but in this case, The Haunted Bookshop is even better than the first volume, Parnassus on Wheels. If you are a booklover, you will thoroughly enjoy both. This story is set in Brooklyn just after the close of WWI. The descriptions of the city made me feel like I was really there. The book is filled with observations about books and bookselling. Although the romance woven into the plot was somewhat sentimental, the book did have its serious side, and is stronger on plot than the first volume was. The bookseller and his wife are thoroughly enjoyable and likable people. It was really fun to read about city life early in the century, when milk wagons and bakery wagons still made deliveries, and apothecaries mixed prescriptions right on the premises instead of counting out pills from a bottle from the pharmaceutical company. This was a very refreshing book, and the observations it contained about reading have not gone out of date.

Okay, so I admit, the cover attracted me to the book. It wouldn't be the first time that this has happened. And the title was alluring(considering that I've worked in a bookstore for years upon years and now spend my working hours in a library, is it any wonder?) And so, The Haunted Bookshop and Parnassus on Wheels in hand, I made my way to a chair by a window and found comfort in Christopher Morley's words.

"Did you ever notice how books track you down and hunt you out?...it follows you and follows you and drives you into a corner and makes you read it...Words cannot describe the cunning of some books."

That was all it took, all the motivation I needed, to buy the book. The story itself kept me reading. Roger Mifflin, owner of "the haunted bookshop," is a man after my own heart. Some may find him a bit stuffy, perhaps just a tad bit pretentious(though charmingly so)in nature, but he's a man that knows the importance of books. In fact, he can choose the perfect book for a customer just by looking at him. Now that's a talent I'd like to have.

Besides all of the book loving goin' on, the novel is peopled with charming characters, all trying to solve a mystery between reading and taking out the Mifflin's dog. The mystery is a little slow going at first, but soon after, as things fall into place, it becomes quite the page turner.

All in all, a lovely book that any bibliophile will treasure.

It's been years since I read The Haunted Bookshop, but it's one of those books that really stays with you. The proprietor of the bookshop has the proper attitude about selling books and has the sign posted right up on his wall: "We sell no fakes or trashes." I first read the book when I was in 9th grade, and remember thinking wistfully that I would love to visit the Haunted Bookshop. To my immense delight, I've discovered a few over the years, where I've made wonderful finds I never would have discovered at [local stores]. When you run across one of these bookstores, they are a joy to remember forever.

This was an unusual little book but I thoroughly enjoyed it. There were a few quirky points I could nitpick about -- the characters are a little mannered and Mr. Mifflin, the eccentric but charming bookseller, is at his best discussing books and less interesting as an anti-war crusader, but these I wrote off to the time period the book was written. For me, they didn't distract much from the overall enjoyment of the book. Even the mystery to the plot turned out better than I'd expected. I haven't read the prior book, "Parnassus on Wheels" but I've added it to my future reading list.

The Haunted Bookshop is quaint, delightful fiction that is simultaneously entertaining and thought provoking. Like its predecessor, Parnassus on Wheels, it is first and foremost a book for book lovers. The exuberant Roger Mifflin, the owner of a dusty, out-of-the way, used bookstore in Brooklyn, thrives on helping people discover new books and authors. His bookshop motto reads: "We have what you want, though you may not know you want it." Making money is secondary to him and his favorite pastime is talking and arguing, especially about books.

Written in 1919, the action centers upon a then contemporary event, the planned voyage of Woodrow Wilson to the Peace Conference in Europe. Roger's leather bound copy of Carlyle's Oliver Cromwell disappears from its shelf, only to reappear the following night. A clever story of espionage follows.

Roger is a man of his times and is deeply concerned that the mistakes leading to the Great War not be repeated. His hopes for future world peace are poignant, especially as we modern readers realize that in just two decades the Great War would be renamed, and numbered.

Christopher Morley's characters - the irrepressible Roger Mifflin, his pragmatic and loveable wife Helen McGill Mifflin, the youthful, diligent Titania Chapman that works in their shop, and her idealistic suitor Aubrey Gilbert - are all eminently likeable characters. The villains are indeed villainous, but thankfully, miscommunications within their ranks causes their plans to go awry. Aubrey, acting as an amateur sleuth, misinterprets the situation, but ultimately all works out for the best.

I suppose it is best to read Parnassus on Wheels and its sequel, The Haunted Bookshop, in order, but it is certainly not necessary. I suspect that whichever you begin with, you will immediately begin searching for the other. It is no surprise that Christopher Morley, author of more than 50 books, is primarily remembered for these two marvelous stories.

Years ago my wife and I stumbled upon a pleasantly enticing, used bookstore on a narrow street in downtown Mobile. It was appropriately named The Haunted Bookshop.

Page 120: That's why I call this place the Haunted Bookshop. Haunted by the ghosts of books I haven't read. Poor uneasy spirits, they walk and walk around me. There's only one way to lay the ghost of a book, and that is to read it.

THE HAUNTED BOOKSHOP draws me straight into its story. It's a story that booklovers will enjoy--a romance with books and a mystery to be solved.

Roger Mifflin owns the second-hand bookshop on Gissing Street, Brooklyn. The bookshop operates under the name "Parnassus at Home," and is known as the Haunted Bookshop. He has a loving wife, Helen, and she is a fantastic cook. Her signature dish is the chocolate cake that every member of the Corn Cob Club relish. The Club is held at the bookshop for bookish discussions by the booksellers. I particularly enjoy and appreciate their discussions. For example, one of the booksellers, Benson said: "Look at the way a man shells out five bones for a couple of theatre seats, or spends a couple of dollars a week on cigars without thinking about it. Yet two dollars or five dollars for a book costs him positive anguish."

I can definitely relate to the thought above. Although the story dated way back in 1919, it is still true today. We could easily spend money on clubbing, movies, cigarettes and so on without blinking an eye but when asked to invest in good books, it sounds almost obscene to the other party. Again, Mr Mifflin articulated it very well in his dialogue with Titania, when he said: "You see, books contain the thoughts and dreams of men, their hopes and strivings and all their immortal parts. It's in books that most of us learn how splendidly worthwhile life is." Those are beautiful statements. A good book meets human hunger. A good book for you may not be a good book for me, so there's a book for everybody. And that's what Mr Mifflin takes pleasure in doing--he 'prescribes' books for such 'patients' as they visit his bookshop and who are willing to tell him their symptoms. Such is his passion for the art of bookselling.

The life led by the bookseller and his wife is easy-going and simple. Every day, they do business until about ten o'clock at night. Then Mrs Mifflin would brew a pot of hot cocoa and they would read or talk for a while before bed. Sometimes Mr Mifflin would walk their dog, Bock (short for Boccaccio). I would love a simple life like that. Often, I have such daydreams and hope that I would retire like the Mifflins and possess a passion like theirs.

The story does not just stop there. One day, a young advertising man named Aubrey Gilbert comes into the Haunted Bookshop hoping to sell copywriting service for his agency. In fact, the story almost begin with this young man. Mr Mifflin does not believe in paying for advertisement and goes on to explain his rationale to the young man. They became acquainted that way and even had supper together because Mrs Mifflin is out of town. Together, they discuss about literature.

Later, a young lady named Titania Chapman, the daughter of one of Mr Mifflin's best friends come to work for him. Her father believes that his daughter is frivolous due to her wealthy upbringing and education, so seeks Mr Mifflin to take her under his wings to teach her about earning her own living. Mr Mifflin is very excited about this opportunity and prepares for her arrival. Titania turns out to be a bright and very likeable girl. She is also very eager to learn about the trade.

More excitement and mystery unfolds--all in the span of a week while Titania is working at the Haunted Bookshop. Aubrey is obviously smitten by Titania's beauty. Meanwhile a copy of Carlyle's Oliver Cromwell keeps appearing and disappearing from the bookshop's shelf. Then there is a German pharmacist and chef who are acting very suspicious. They are seen with missing copy of Cromwell--something nasty is cooking. What could they possibly want to do with a book? At this time, the World War I had just ended.

I have totally enjoyed reading THE HAUNTED BOOKSHOP and will check out the prequel PARNASSUS ON WHEELS. This is a book that can be finished in one sitting and see the plot unfolds. There are some misunderstandings in the story. Some surprises. Twists and turns. The characters are likeable. I just wished for a happier ending for Bock the dog though...

What happened to the delightful storyline and the quaint but congenial prose of "Parnassus on Wheels?" The prose of "The Haunted Bookshop" is preachy and the storyline dark. Where "Parnassus" is cheery and light, "Haunted Bookshop" is sinister and the events shadowy. It is as if Morley tries to regain the feeling of the first book but the mood escapes him. Here is what I think happened: "Parnassus" was written prior to 1914, "Haunted" in 1919. What intervened on the world stage that could have resulted in Morley's less than sunny mood? The First World War. You will find mention of it in "The Haunted Bookshop." You will feel the "loss of innocence" and the onset of hopelessness the war brought to many people in America. Actually, reading "Haunted" left me sad. I wanted to regain the optimism and positive energy of "Parnassus on Wheels" and was blindsided by Morley's change of tenor and mood. I am a little sorry I read "Haunted Bookshop." I could escape to a simpler and better time in "Parnassus." "The Haunted Bookshop" brought me back to earth with a crunch.

This is a delightful, charming book any bibliophile will be sure to appreciate. Roger Mifflin is a man I can respect and adore. He is saddened that he will die leaving thousands of books unread (I totally agree!), but he still finds time to uncover a mystery and prevent a tragedy. This novel takes place at the closing of WWI and it is a very interesting, funny and cozy mystery that had a few surprises along the way. I always enjoy a good book about books.

Ok story, but I think the title has been mis-named. :)

I didn't think the bookshop was haunted at all. There was a love story wrapped around all of it and it was sort of a mystery so not bad all in all, but just a different writing style...it was written in the early 1900's

Part romance, part thriller, part comedy, the Haunted Bookshop is an offering at the altar of the book. Morley's obvious love of literature and the written word shines through in an old-fashioned, sweet, innocent tale.