A review by keepreadingbooks
Once Upon a Tome: The Misadventures of a Rare Bookseller by Oliver Darkshire

funny informative lighthearted slow-paced

3.5

Once Upon a Tome was a bit too disjointed for me, like (30-odd, very short) separate essays about working with rare books (another reviewer called it a collection of anecdotes and that’s exactly what it is, but I didn’t feel like stealing that phrase). I don’t mind essays/anecdotes at all, but I think for this one I craved more of an overarching narrative or structure. It was probably timing more than anything – just 20 pages in I kind of knew we weren’t fully vibing, but I honestly didn’t have the heart to DNF it, so I soldiered on. 

 

And it really wasn’t the worst book to soldier on with; it’s cosy, entertaining, enlightening and very British – all good things. Darkshire is also clearly very sharp and intelligent, and it’s generally a pleasure to read his writing. His style can be a bit misleading; it’s self-deprecating, exaggerated and jokingly superficial in nature most of the time, and then he suddenly surprises you with a deeper point about something or other. It was a nice and entertaining balance.