Diving into the World of ‘Once Upon a Tome’
Oliver Darkshire, in his memoir ‘Once Upon a Tome: The Misadventures of a Rare Bookseller,’ warmly welcomes readers into the time-worn corridors of Sotheran’s, one of the oldest rare and antique bookstores in the world. Darkshire’s humorous yet poignant narrative sheds light on the adventures that await within the shadowy aisles of this venerable London establishment.
An Enchanted Realm Amidst Shelves
Among the ‘wild and homeless’ second-hand books, as Virginia Woolf described them, Sotheran’s presents itself not as a mere bookstore, but as an enchanted forest of literature. Each day seemingly holds new health and safety hazards. Forgotten boxes whisper secrets. The pervasive charm of the store is accentuated by its quaint running joke that it’s been ‘one year away from closing since 1761.’
A Quirky Bookseller’s Odyssey
Darkshire’s memoir is a delightful exploration of his accidental yet perfect fit in this realm. His role, which he whimsically describes, could have been as thrilling as a spy’s or as daring as a snake handler’s. Initially lured into bookselling after a series of failed career attempts, Darkshire’s love for history and his endearing quirkiness made him the ideal guardian of Sotheran’s treasures.
The Magic of Sotheran’s
From taxidermied birds to spectral residents and a band of frazzled booksellers, Sotheran’s is portrayed as a captivating, nearly autonomous kingdom. Darkshire’s engaging prose ensures that readers feel like cherished companions on this winding journey through literary history. ‘Once Upon a Tome’ is akin to an unplanned yet exhilarating stroll through a rare bookstore, full of unpredictable and delightful discoveries.
