The Bookseller

by Matt Cohen

Book Overview

From Matt Cohen, the author of Emotional Arithmetic, comes this account of two brothers. At once opposites--Paul is a bookseller with a passion for Charles Dickens, while Henry's interests run towards... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0394223063
• ISBN13: 9780394223063
• Release Date: May 1993
• Publisher: Knopf Canada
• Length: 242 Pages
• Weight: 0.81 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Canadian Angst

Passion may the strongest motivating force in human nature. Not to be confused with compulsion or addiction, passion can overwhelm rational thought. THE BOOKSELLER explores this frailty in the coming-of-age tale of Paul Stevens escaping the domination by an older brother only to succumb to a consuming passion for his co-worker Judith. Paul loses all common sense in the relationship, indulging in Judith's vices of alcoholism and drugs. Concurrently, the brother Henry travels in bad company incurring unpayable, life threatening debt. Henry deftly puts the onus of survival on Paul, the life-long "patsy" for Henry's ambitions and indiscretions. Passion can die. And Paul's does. But a catharsis of bitter confrontations and the dealth of Henry must take place before Paul can achieve a life of independence. THE BOOKSELLER is a chronicle of expectations met with disappointments. It may be true to life. It certainly is not inspirational