Exactly two years ago, I wrote a review of Shaun Bythell’s The Diary of a Bookseller, which I thoroughly enjoyed and recommended to anyone who sees paper books as more than just bound sheets of paper. This real-life diary of a real secondhand bookseller unexpectedly became a global bestseller, even to Bythell’s surprise, so it’s not surprising that a sequel followed.
If the first book was recommended to me by a friend, I discovered the second one quite by accident. Still, riding the wave of unforgettable emotions from the first, I immediately added it to my “to read soon” list. The new book, titled Confessions of a Bookseller, closely mirrors the structure of the first — it’s again a diary spanning a single calendar year. Once again, each day he records the number of online orders received and processed, the number of customers in the store, and the earnings. In other words, absolutely nothing has changed. Do you like my diary? Here’s part two. The cover of the first book featured the little bookshop itself (which really looks like that; there are now many photos of it online), while the second book’s cover shows Shaun Bythell himself in his shop. By the way, the likeness is accurate — here’s what he looks like in real life:
Unfortunately, the near-total repetition doesn’t do the book any favors. Everything that gave the first book its charm seems to have dimmed in the second. The freshness and ease that marked the initial diary are gone.
Moreover, while Bythell’s character quirks in the first book came across as eccentric and cynical, they felt harsher to me in the second. It’s as if he’s slightly embittered by life or simply doesn’t care much for people (though he has close friends with whom he spends time happily). He doesn’t hold back in writing what he thinks about his shop’s visitors. Sure, many of them can be difficult, but sometimes his remarks are too condescending and veer into personal jabs. No matter how much you might dislike someone’s behavior, it’s not a reason to stoop to their level and write in such a tone. This aspect was grating.
At the same time, many of the positive elements remain. For instance, the almost tangible atmosphere of a personal, cherished craft. The old shop, the vintage books—it all could practically pass as antique, including the shop itself. But Shaun lives within this world and is happy that it’s his own business, where nearly everything depends on him. It’s a very warm sentiment that occasionally softens his cynicism.
This year, he had an Italian girl helping him, who only worked at the shop for a few months, but he became fond of her lively manner and unique English. She also recommended he read The Master and Margarita, which he did and highly appreciated. It’s always nice to see Russian authors being valued, especially a book you personally love.
So, what’s the verdict? It’s a good book, and if it weren’t for the first one, I’d gladly recommend it. But in comparison, the first book holds up better. And if he decides to write a third volume, I’m not sure I’d want to read it.
My rating: 3.5/5
