Reviews with content warning for Bullying - The Door-to-Door Bookstore

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The Door-to-Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn

11 reviews

pandaorb's review against another edition

hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I was expecting more from this book. It feels for too short for the amount of characters introduced, and as a result I felt like the entire plot was glossed over as quickly as possible. There were also characters that I never really understood or reconciled with.

For example, we got a small scene where Sabine voiced her inner thoughts, but it didn't help me empathize with her Cruella-esque behavior. Similarly, Schascha’s father behaved horrifically and everyone just... decided to brush it off after a half murmured apology? What?

I wish there'd been more depth rather than having a hundred problems instantly solved by a nine year old; and I felt like the mood of the book was so light that it was terribly jarring every time the tone got dark for a few pages. The flow did not work for me, but overall I could tell it was trying to tell a cute story.

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clairew97's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

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koboldmartian's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book was such a welcome surprise!

I don't normally read contemporary fiction books but I found myself really engaged with the story on so many levels. Henn's (translated by Melody Shaw) words are so delicate in all its descriptors but you can very clearly imagine that narrow alleys, and townscape that this book takes place in. The atmosphere was so immersive and I felt like I could vacation in this little town.

The characters also perform their roles really well. Henn absolutely made sure that I loved the people I was supposed to love and absolutely hated the people I was supposed to hate. Specifically the antagonist(s), he really made them out to be awful, bitter people who just basks in the misery of others, and while they aren't mastermind villains with a long drawn out plan, they are just annoying enough to have me cursing at them.

Carl and Schascha's relationship is so wonderful and wholesome and I really enjoyed the influence these two had on one another, and how they end up changing the lives of those around them.

This book also loves to express how beautifully quirky the characters are and why we should celebrate our passions. It doesn't hold back on the darker aspects of life too, its succinct but descriptive enough to give you a mental image on the horrors of abuse while still maintaining its jovial nature and not losing itself, and I thought it was expertly handled.

Overall, I found this book to be a fun slice of life story with a beautiful message. Its a wonderful story about how we can learn from anyone of all ages, and that friendships can come from anywhere.

5/5

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yvo_about_books's review

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emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

4.25

Finished reading: April 14th 2024

"Everyone is free in their choice of books. That's the most marvellous thing about it. So much is dictated to us in life; at least we can still choose what we read."

I still can't believe that this book has flown under my radar for this long, but I knew that I HAD to read it as soon as I saw The Door-To-Door Bookstore mentioned. I have a weak spot for stories with a bookish angle, unlikely friendships and older main characters, so I have been highly anticipating this originally German book... And I have to say that I really enjoyed my time with The Door-To-Door Bookstore! I loved the idea behind Carl's job delivering books to special customers, and it was such a great way to introduce a wide variety of different characters. Add the little girl Schascha, and it was the perfect recipe for an unlikely friendship to be born. I'm not sure if that A Man Called Ove reference is completely accurate other than the fact that both main characters are old men, but that doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy spending time with Carl and Schascha. There are quite a few heavier topics incorporated along the way, but as a whole this story is still mostly uplifting with more than one hidden deeper message. The pace was also a bit slower than expected, but it did fit the story itself as it took you on a meandering journey through the southern German town along with the main characters. I wouldn't mind reading more of his work! Fingers crossed his Der Geschichtenbäcker ('the baker of stories') will be translated to English some time soon... Either that or I will have to try it in Dutch/Spanish translation which is already available.

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