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Book Summary and Reviews of The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods

The Lost Bookshop

by Evie Woods

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  • Published:
  • Nov 2023, 448 pages
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About this book

Book Summary

A Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly and Amazon bestseller.

The Keeper of Stories meets The Lost Apothecary in this charming bookish novel, which has a dash of romance, a sprinkle of historical fiction, and a lot of magic.

"The thing about books," she said "is that they help you to imagine a life bigger and better than you could ever dream of."

On a quiet street in Dublin, a lost bookshop is waiting to be found…

For too long, Opaline, Martha and Henry have been the side characters in their own lives.

But when a vanishing bookshop casts its spell, these three unsuspecting strangers will discover that their own stories are every bit as extraordinary as the ones found in the pages of their beloved books. And by unlocking the secrets of the shelves, they find themselves transported to a world of wonder… where nothing is as it seems.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!
  1. Opaline's love of books is what guides her through life, like talismans and passports of escape. As a reader, what do books mean to you? How have books impacted your life?
  2. Were there any significant plot twists that surprised you?
  3. Did the book provoke any emotional responses from you? Which scenes stood out in terms of their impact?
  4. What did you make of the magical elements in the book? Did they add to your experience of the bookshop?
  5. The plot highlights the impact of living in a patriarchal society in both timelines. What is your assessment of the male characters in the book and how their storylines developed?
  6. Were there any lines or passages that stood out to you or that you highlighted?
  7. Did the different settings make you eager to...

You can see the full discussion here. This discussion will contain spoilers!

Some of the recent comments posted about The Lost Bookshop:

As a reader, what do books mean to you? How have books impacted your life?
Books have always been a part of my life for both academic learning and for pleasure. I didn’t become an avid reader until high school but I’ve been reading great books and not so great books for decades. I have insomnia, so I ... - arlenei

Have you read any of the books referenced or found any new recommendations?
Yes, I had read Flowers in the Attic way back during my high school years. I do own a copy of Never Let Me Go but have not actually read it yet. I do make a point of reading at least one classic a year, just haven't gotten to any of the ... - nanette s

Henry observes that "As youngsters, we do it all the time, making new friends ... But when you get older, it feels as though there is so much more on the line." Do you agree with him?
Having moved to 2 new cities in the last 5 years, this 63 year old sure wished it was like the good old days. "Will you be my friend?" "OK" And off to the playground we would go. Now, I feel I have to stick my toe in the ... - mb

If you could discover a missing manuscript, what would it be?
I would love to find a manuscript written by Stephen King, or one he had written with his 2 sons, or his wife. I would think it would be worth something to both read and sell. - nanette s

In an allegorical sense, what do you think Madame Bowden represents?
I, too, loved the character of Madame Bowden, and I wondered if she was supposed to be the energy of the bookshop in human form. She definitely played the role of Martha's guardian angel. Was she perhaps somehow also the spirit of a never-... - ErinJ

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Reviews

Media Reviews

The Lost Bookshop is a joy to read, a seductive tale that sparks the imagination, a truly immersive and charismatic read of self-discovery and strength imbued with a sense of hope and passion." —Swirl and Thread

"This book will be treasured by literary sleuths, book collectors, and bibliophiles alike. Yes, it strains credibility, but what is magic… but imagination set free." —Fictionophile

A mix of historical fiction, romance, fantasy and contemporary fiction. I adored this one a huge amount and I would highly recommend it." —Me and My Books

This information about The Lost Bookshop was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.

Reader Reviews

Write your own reviewwrite your own review

Nanette S.

The Lost Bookshop
I believe that books and stories, once read, will somehow leave a piece of them inside you. This one surely did, and will stay with me awhile. If one enjoys magical realism, this one is for you. For me, this began in slow motion and finally picked up speed midway through the book. That is when the 3 main characters, Opaline, Martha, and Henry really came to life along with the tale of the bookshop and its existence. I especially enjoyed the very last sentence! Don't read that sentence until you actually get there, part of the entire book could be a spoiler.
I enjoyed it and will read more by Evie Woods.

Sally

Awesome Read
I really enjoyed the story line and characters. I couldn’t put it down. I would highly recommend this book for your reading pleasure. Need a book 2 all about the Lost Bookshop.

Jamal

About The Lost Bookshop.
The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods published with One More Chapter (Harper Collins) on June 22nd and is described as The Keeper of Stories meets The Lost Apothecary…evocative and charming novel full of mystery and secrets.’

I have read the charming work of Evie Woods, as Evie Gaughan, and have been totally captivated by the magic and warmth that emanates from her stories. Both The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris, set in France, and The Story Collector, set in Ireland, swept me up in their mysticism and escapism, taking me on wonderful adventures. When Evie writes about France, her storytelling is reminiscent of Joanne Harris’ Vianne Rocher novels ( Chocolat, The Lollipop Shoes, Peaches for Monsieur le Cure & The Strawberry Thief) with sweeping imagery imbued with magical realism.

Evie combines France and her Irish roots into a beautifully woven tale that had me listening to Sidney Bechet and reminding me why I love his music and the gorgeous movie that is Midnight in Paris is a must for anyone who, like me, loves mention of the Lost Generation, Sylvia Beach and of an era when society and the arts carry a special kind of wonder and enchantment.

Martha arrives in Dublin looking for shelter, looking to escape the life she has been living. She finds work as a housekeeper for an elderly lady, with sleeping arrangements included. The anonymity of the situation suits Martha.

Henry arrives in Dublin from the UK in search of something. On the threshold of a big decision in his personal life, he needs this escape to Dublin to follow a thread, to uncover a piece of the past that he is finding challenging to get a solid hold of.

This book has my heart and soul.

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Author Information

Evie Woods

Evie Woods is the pseudonym of Evie Gaughan, the bestselling author of The Story Collector, The Heirloom and The Mysterious Bakery On Rue De Paris.

Living on the West Coast of Ireland, Evie escapes the inclement weather by writing her stories in a converted attic, where she dreams about underfloor heating. Her books tread the intriguing line between the everyday and the otherworldly, revealing the magic that exists in our ordinary lives.

She is currently working on her fourth novel.

More Author Information

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