A review by yvo_about_books
The Door-to-Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn

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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