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The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository
In this "utterly enchanting" Edgar and Anthony Award-winning novella, a book lover uncovers a secret world of literary wonders (Irish Times).
A voracious reader, Mr. Berger leads a solitary but satisfying life. Preferring the company of books to that of people, he's looking forward to an early retirement in the English countryside, where he can spend his remaining years nestled comfortably between the pages of classic literature. But his serene life is disrupted when he witnesses a woman with a distinctive red traveling bag fling herself before a train. If Mr. Berger isn't mistaken, he's just seen the climax of Anna Karenina reenacted on the Exeter-to-Plymouth railway. Though there is no body on the tracks, and the destiny of the tragic victim was written nearly a century before, Mr. Berger still longs to rescue her.
The investigation leads him to the Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository, where the living breathing characters of literary invention are under the guardianship of a curious caretaker--and where, for Mr. Berger, the line between fiction and reality will blur beyond comprehension.
A voracious reader, Mr. Berger leads a solitary but satisfying life. Preferring the company of books to that of people, he's looking forward to an early retirement in the English countryside, where he can spend his remaining years nestled comfortably between the pages of classic literature. But his serene life is disrupted when he witnesses a woman with a distinctive red traveling bag fling herself before a train. If Mr. Berger isn't mistaken, he's just seen the climax of Anna Karenina reenacted on the Exeter-to-Plymouth railway. Though there is no body on the tracks, and the destiny of the tragic victim was written nearly a century before, Mr. Berger still longs to rescue her.
The investigation leads him to the Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository, where the living breathing characters of literary invention are under the guardianship of a curious caretaker--and where, for Mr. Berger, the line between fiction and reality will blur beyond comprehension.
62 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
170 people are currently reading
2035 people want to read
About the author
John Connolly
236 books7,841 followersJohn Connolly was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1968 and has, at various points in his life, worked as a journalist, a barman, a local government official, a waiter and a dogsbody at Harrods department store in London. He studied English in Trinity College, Dublin and journalism at Dublin City University, subsequently spending five years working as a freelance journalist for The Irish Times newspaper, to which he continues to contribute.
He is based in Dublin but divides his time between his native city and the United States.
This page is administered by John's assistant, Clair, on John's behalf. If you'd like to communicate with John directly, you can do so by writing to contact-at-johnconnollybooks.com, or by following him on Twitter at @JConnollyBooks.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.
He is based in Dublin but divides his time between his native city and the United States.
This page is administered by John's assistant, Clair, on John's behalf. If you'd like to communicate with John directly, you can do so by writing to contact-at-johnconnollybooks.com, or by following him on Twitter at @JConnollyBooks.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 248 reviews
September 3, 2022
This was just lovely. A quiet and intelligent story about books and libraries and seemingly reclusive bookworms content with their bookish interior lives. A love letter to literature full of gentle humor and quiet subtle wit, conspicuously devoid of hot-button anvil-like moralizations that seem ever-pervasive in recent short fiction I’ve read. It needs no such crutches; it stands on its own just fine and feels quite timeless.
Mr. Berger comes across a young woman habitually throwing herself in the path of oncoming train, and it doesn’t take him long to realize he’s seeing that scene from Anna Karenina — except it’s played out in a small sleepy English village in 1968. And in his pursuit of the cause of this he comes across what seems to be a library that nobody knows about.
Books about books have built-in bookworm audience. Put the word “library” in the title, and we’ll be all over that story before the ink dries on the pages. And luckily this one doesn’t disappoint, and makes me wish it went on for longer, perhaps an entire novel worth of pages, because a love letter to books and libraries is a wonderful thing.
4 stars.
—————
Buddy read with carol.
——————
Also posted on my blog.
“Order was for dull minds, and Mr. Berger was far less dull than he appeared. (To those who are themselves unhappy, the contentment of others can sometimes be mistaken for tedium.) Mr. Berger might sometimes have been a little lonely, but he was never bored, and never unhappy, and he counted his days by the books that he read.”
Mr. Berger comes across a young woman habitually throwing herself in the path of oncoming train, and it doesn’t take him long to realize he’s seeing that scene from Anna Karenina — except it’s played out in a small sleepy English village in 1968. And in his pursuit of the cause of this he comes across what seems to be a library that nobody knows about.
“It’s a natural consequence of the capacity of a bookstore or library to contain entire worlds, whole universes, and all contained between the covers of books. In that sense, every library or bookstore is practically infinite. This library takes that to its logical conclusion.”
Books about books have built-in bookworm audience. Put the word “library” in the title, and we’ll be all over that story before the ink dries on the pages. And luckily this one doesn’t disappoint, and makes me wish it went on for longer, perhaps an entire novel worth of pages, because a love letter to books and libraries is a wonderful thing.
4 stars.
—————
Buddy read with carol.
——————
Also posted on my blog.
September 4, 2022
If Among Others was Jo Walton's love letter to sci-fi and fantasy, this is John Connolly's love letter to classical literature and libraries. Think The Eyre Affair without the bananas escapades. But even if one isn't a fan of the classics (cough, cough), one can still appreciate Connolly's gentle affection for both readers and libraries.
"Most of the remainder went on books. Mr. Berger led a life of the imagination, fed by stories."
There's also delicious bon môts on unfulfilling workplaces, writers, policemen and small towns:
"There appeared to be only two types of business in the town: everybody’s business, and business that was not yet everybody’s but soon would be once the local gossips had got to work on it."
You know, as a book lover, I never loved that distinctive smell of old books. I find myself prone to reconsidering, however, after considering Connolly's phrasing:
"that peculiar musty smell distinctive to rooms in which books are aging like fine wines."
It's a quick little novella, and like everything Connolly writes, nicely written. Unlike everything else Connolly writes, there is no horror, so if you love mysterious libraries, give it a try.
"It’s a natural consequence of the capacity of a bookstore or library to contain entire worlds, whole universes, and all contained between the covers of books. In that sense, every library or bookstore is practically infinite."
Thank you to Nataliya for the buddy read!
"Most of the remainder went on books. Mr. Berger led a life of the imagination, fed by stories."
There's also delicious bon môts on unfulfilling workplaces, writers, policemen and small towns:
"There appeared to be only two types of business in the town: everybody’s business, and business that was not yet everybody’s but soon would be once the local gossips had got to work on it."
You know, as a book lover, I never loved that distinctive smell of old books. I find myself prone to reconsidering, however, after considering Connolly's phrasing:
"that peculiar musty smell distinctive to rooms in which books are aging like fine wines."
It's a quick little novella, and like everything Connolly writes, nicely written. Unlike everything else Connolly writes, there is no horror, so if you love mysterious libraries, give it a try.
"It’s a natural consequence of the capacity of a bookstore or library to contain entire worlds, whole universes, and all contained between the covers of books. In that sense, every library or bookstore is practically infinite."
Thank you to Nataliya for the buddy read!
August 30, 2022
This is John Connolly when he has taken off his thriller writing hat and put on his slightly supernatural, masterful writing hat as he did for The Book of Lost Things. This is also a book about books. In this case the characters from our most well read stories have become real and live, along with their first editions, in an unused library. We find out what happens if someone tries to alter any of these stories. (Jasper Fforde uses this same idea in his Thursday Next series with equally great effect).
The Museum of Literary Souls is only a novella but it is so very good and it ended much too soon for me.
The Museum of Literary Souls is only a novella but it is so very good and it ended much too soon for me.
August 20, 2024
Incredibly inventive and unique story! By far one of my favorites of the anthology, but probably number one favorite. It describes every bibliophile's dream.
November 15, 2016
I read this in John Connolly's Night Music: Nocturnes Volume Two and it was utterly fantastic, in all senses of the word.
January 28, 2014
I cannot resist books about books, the characters in books and a mysterious library with a caretaker who is awaiting his replacement. Maybe a little like the beginning of The Shadow in the Wind and the amazing library there. But this takes it further, with a humorous look at some of the characters in fiction.
Loved this quote about libraries, "It's a natural consequence of the capacity of a bookstore or library to contain entire worlds, whole universes, and all contained between the covers of books. In that sense, every library or bookstore is practically infinite."
A quirky and fun to read novella.
Loved this quote about libraries, "It's a natural consequence of the capacity of a bookstore or library to contain entire worlds, whole universes, and all contained between the covers of books. In that sense, every library or bookstore is practically infinite."
A quirky and fun to read novella.
January 28, 2025
A Bibliophile's Delight! - Bibliomysteries #12
Review of the Mysterious Press/Open Road eBook (December 18, 2018) of the original StoryFront eBook The Museum of Literary Souls (December 4, 2013).
This appears to be a rare instance of Bibliomysteries adding a previously published non-commissioned work to its series several years after the fact. John Connolly's fantasy fiction first appeared under the title The Museum of Literary Souls in 2013. In the Bibliomysteries series it is now called The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository.
Too much information here would be a spoiler. But you should think of this more as a fantasy fiction rather than a "deadly book," which is otherwise the mandate of the Bibliomysteries series. Literary soul Mr. Berger is retired to the countryside and takes nightly walks nearby to a railroad track. One night a mysterious woman in red appears and throws herself under an approaching train. The authorities arrive to investigate but no trace of a body can be found. Several nights later, the woman appears again but this time her "suicide" is thwarted by Berger, and he follows her back through the woods to a mysterious building.
What could be the origin of the mysterious woman and what else might be hidden behind the walls of the apparently unattended building? Berger decides that he must discover its secrets.
This short story was an utter delight and I have no hesitation in calling it a 5-star as i think would anyone who likes to think of fictional characters as being more "real" than true-life people.
Trivia and Links
John Connolly (1968-) is an Irish author of over 30+ published novels, mostly in the mystery and supernatural genres. His best known novels are in the Charlie Parker (1999-2024-ongoing?) private investigator series. His most popular book (based on the number of GR ratings and reviews) is The Book of Lost Things (2006). The short story The Caxton Private Lending Library... is also available in the John Connolly short stories anthology Night Music (Nocturnes #2 - 2015).
The Bibliomysteries series are short stories commissioned by Otto Penzler's The Mysterious Press to be written around the theme of deadly books. They are individually published in limited edition signed hardcovers followed by paperbacks and ebooks, and periodically collected in anthology editions such as Bibliomysteries (2013, containing stories 1-15) and Bibliomysteries: Volume Two (2018, containing stories 16-30).
Review of the Mysterious Press/Open Road eBook (December 18, 2018) of the original StoryFront eBook The Museum of Literary Souls (December 4, 2013).
It’s a natural consequence of the capacity of a bookstore or library to contain entire worlds, whole universes, and all contained between the covers of books. In that sense, every library or bookstore is practically infinite.
This appears to be a rare instance of Bibliomysteries adding a previously published non-commissioned work to its series several years after the fact. John Connolly's fantasy fiction first appeared under the title The Museum of Literary Souls in 2013. In the Bibliomysteries series it is now called The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository.
Too much information here would be a spoiler. But you should think of this more as a fantasy fiction rather than a "deadly book," which is otherwise the mandate of the Bibliomysteries series. Literary soul Mr. Berger is retired to the countryside and takes nightly walks nearby to a railroad track. One night a mysterious woman in red appears and throws herself under an approaching train. The authorities arrive to investigate but no trace of a body can be found. Several nights later, the woman appears again but this time her "suicide" is thwarted by Berger, and he follows her back through the woods to a mysterious building.
What could be the origin of the mysterious woman and what else might be hidden behind the walls of the apparently unattended building? Berger decides that he must discover its secrets.
This short story was an utter delight and I have no hesitation in calling it a 5-star as i think would anyone who likes to think of fictional characters as being more "real" than true-life people.
Trivia and Links
John Connolly (1968-) is an Irish author of over 30+ published novels, mostly in the mystery and supernatural genres. His best known novels are in the Charlie Parker (1999-2024-ongoing?) private investigator series. His most popular book (based on the number of GR ratings and reviews) is The Book of Lost Things (2006). The short story The Caxton Private Lending Library... is also available in the John Connolly short stories anthology Night Music (Nocturnes #2 - 2015).
The Bibliomysteries series are short stories commissioned by Otto Penzler's The Mysterious Press to be written around the theme of deadly books. They are individually published in limited edition signed hardcovers followed by paperbacks and ebooks, and periodically collected in anthology editions such as Bibliomysteries (2013, containing stories 1-15) and Bibliomysteries: Volume Two (2018, containing stories 16-30).
April 20, 2021
It took me a while to warm its this story and then, all of a sudden everything fell into place and I was in love! I continued to listen while walking my dog and it was a scramble to get my iPod out of my pocket to add a bookmark to return to later. Later, I had to remember that each bookmark had marked a position just after the passage I wanted to revisit.
My favorite quotes:
The Librarian of 40-years explains one of his duties: "To look after the characters," which "made Mr. Berger choke on his tea." Upon hearing the Librarian's further explanation, Mr. Berger "felt as if he had wandered into some Bibliographic nightmare. He kept hoping he would wake up at home with a headache to find he had been inhaling gum from one of his volumes."
"I had a cup of tea with him [Hamlet] and that was the start of it."
"He wanted to touch the books, to take them down and stroke them like cats."
"No book is really a fixed object. Every reader reads a book differently and each book works in a different way on the individual reader." So true!
"At some point certain characters become so familiar to readers and indeed non-readers that they reach a state of existence independent of the page." One example is Romeo and Juliet, we may never have read the play, but we know they are tragic lovers.
"Your only fault was to love a character too much."
My favorite quotes:
The Librarian of 40-years explains one of his duties: "To look after the characters," which "made Mr. Berger choke on his tea." Upon hearing the Librarian's further explanation, Mr. Berger "felt as if he had wandered into some Bibliographic nightmare. He kept hoping he would wake up at home with a headache to find he had been inhaling gum from one of his volumes."
"I had a cup of tea with him [Hamlet] and that was the start of it."
"He wanted to touch the books, to take them down and stroke them like cats."
"No book is really a fixed object. Every reader reads a book differently and each book works in a different way on the individual reader." So true!
"At some point certain characters become so familiar to readers and indeed non-readers that they reach a state of existence independent of the page." One example is Romeo and Juliet, we may never have read the play, but we know they are tragic lovers.
"Your only fault was to love a character too much."
May 24, 2025
This short story is absolute magic. A book lover’s dream. Excellent premise and an even better execution. Connolly’s writing is fantastic.
You can buy it separately or in Connolly’s short story collection “Night Music”.
You can buy it separately or in Connolly’s short story collection “Night Music”.
August 27, 2014
After coming into a small fortune, a quiet closed accounts registrar named Mr. Berger decides to pack it in and retire. At only thirty four years of age and with countless years ahead of him, Berger decides to pursue his dream of becoming a writer.
After a particularly frustrating evening with pen and paper, Berger embarks on a walk to clear his mind when he witnesses a young woman throw herself in front of a speeding train. However, a spotless track and lack of evidence leave both Berger and the authorities dumbfounded.
Several weeks later, the same woman appears again and when an identical scenario threatens to repeat itself, Berger prevents the woman from doing so, chasing after her until she enters a large non-descript building. What Berger discovers inside will change his life forever..
Winning the 2014 Edgar Award for best short story, Connolly’s Museum of Literary Souls (or the alternate title ("The Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository") reads like a love letter to literature. Connolly writes about the power of fiction and how truly great works can bring a culture together. Readers can often identify with certain characters, speaking about them as if they’re real people.
My only gripe is given how deeply Connolly immersed me into the story, I was disappointed in how quickly the ending snuck up on me. While I have a deep appreciation for short stories (Hell, I even wrote a few), truly great ones always leave the reader wanting more. Don’t take this as a criticism but rather just a self-entitled reader whining.
After a particularly frustrating evening with pen and paper, Berger embarks on a walk to clear his mind when he witnesses a young woman throw herself in front of a speeding train. However, a spotless track and lack of evidence leave both Berger and the authorities dumbfounded.
Several weeks later, the same woman appears again and when an identical scenario threatens to repeat itself, Berger prevents the woman from doing so, chasing after her until she enters a large non-descript building. What Berger discovers inside will change his life forever..
Winning the 2014 Edgar Award for best short story, Connolly’s Museum of Literary Souls (or the alternate title ("The Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository") reads like a love letter to literature. Connolly writes about the power of fiction and how truly great works can bring a culture together. Readers can often identify with certain characters, speaking about them as if they’re real people.
My only gripe is given how deeply Connolly immersed me into the story, I was disappointed in how quickly the ending snuck up on me. While I have a deep appreciation for short stories (Hell, I even wrote a few), truly great ones always leave the reader wanting more. Don’t take this as a criticism but rather just a self-entitled reader whining.
September 30, 2016
"It's in the books. Books have power. You must understand that now."
This is the kind of story that will get your attention from the very start unto the very end. To tell what this is about is like spoiling the magic of it all. Go do yourself a favor; don't go out tonight, head on to your bed, but first get a hot cup of coffee, and read this short story and be brought to a world of books and libraries and magic.
You're welcome. :)
“It’s a natural consequence of the capacity of a bookstore or library to contain entire worlds, whole universes, and all contained between the covers of books. In that sense, every library or bookstore is practically infinite.”
December 13, 2020
An excellent short story/novella. It has a mystery that leads to a mystery library and a very unusual story unfolds.
I loved it. There is comic writing that made me laugh out loud and I really needed to know what was going to happen to Mr Berger. This author usually writes crime novels. Very good ones. This is totally different and every bit as good.
I'd highly recommend it.
I loved it. There is comic writing that made me laugh out loud and I really needed to know what was going to happen to Mr Berger. This author usually writes crime novels. Very good ones. This is totally different and every bit as good.
I'd highly recommend it.
July 24, 2016
Two things happen to change the life of a rather shy and lonely young man, and he finds himself living in a new place, where on a walk, he witnesses a young woman committing suicide.
The problem is, the police can't find her body, and when the young man encounters the same woman attempting to repeat the act, he knows there is something very strange going on....
This is such a brilliantly clever and inventive story that I'm sure every book lover would enjoy it....I found myself wishing it had been a full length book....
January 6, 2015
It's a natural consequence of the capacity of a bookstore or library to contain entire worlds, whole universes, and all contained between the covers of books. In that sense, every library or bookstore is practically infinite.
3.5 stars. I absolutely adore books about books. This was beautifully written, and I thoroughly enjoyed the story about Mr. Berger, an avid reader who suspects he is going "gently insane".
No book is really a fixed object. Every reader reads a book differently, and each book works in a different way on each reader.
February 7, 2019
A satisfying bookish story that’s an exception to my resistance to the fantasy element. I love exceptions.
I enjoyed the quiet voice of narration coupled with the tight pacing. And the particular conceit of playing with literature, the victory of the reclusive bookworm— all enjoyable. I would have liked it to be much longer.
I enjoyed the quiet voice of narration coupled with the tight pacing. And the particular conceit of playing with literature, the victory of the reclusive bookworm— all enjoyable. I would have liked it to be much longer.
December 7, 2022
A story for book-lovers, full of lovely sentences bringing to life an inventive plot. A delightful use of magical realism in support of the enduring value of good books.
It won’t take you long to read, less than 100 pages, and well worth the time if you’ve ever fallen in love with a book and the characters in it.
Thanks to Nataliya and carol. for their recent buddy read, which brought this to my attention.
It won’t take you long to read, less than 100 pages, and well worth the time if you’ve ever fallen in love with a book and the characters in it.
Thanks to Nataliya and carol. for their recent buddy read, which brought this to my attention.
October 8, 2016
Also in NOCTURNES 2, by John Connolly. My personal favorite--it has incredible depth and the emotions it evokes linger...
April 20, 2017
At 68 pages, this is more of a short story or small novella, but just like the Caxton Lending Library, it contains worlds between its covers. A real joy for any book lover.
September 3, 2019
An enchanting short story about books, booklovers and a mysterious library. Delivered in delightfully gorgeous prose. What's not to love?!
January 5, 2017
Read it, loved it, a unique flip on the usual mystery/supernatural type of tale. Classed as a short story, it's a rather long one, more like a novelette or novella. (I forget the actual page numbers for each, but who cares? It's a looong short story.)
Mr. Berger is sort of minor clerk-type person who loses his job when his company shifts things around and renames the kind of work he does. He takes early retirement and starts out doing the simple things he loves most, namely taking long walks and reading. When he sees a young woman throw herself under a train - then can find no sign of her whatsoever, and neither can the authorities - he finds it troubling, until...
Well he finds a library/museum, and though even up to this point I found the story fascinating, 'simple' as it was - it gets even better. Suffice to say the rest would be in spoiler territory and most of us habitual readers would glean a lot simply from the story's title.
It was a real treat to read this; I bought it for Kindle. I have not read very much of Mr. Connolly, and I know he's more known for his mystery/horror type books. But I shall definitely add him and his books to my 'must read' list.
Five stars.
Mr. Berger is sort of minor clerk-type person who loses his job when his company shifts things around and renames the kind of work he does. He takes early retirement and starts out doing the simple things he loves most, namely taking long walks and reading. When he sees a young woman throw herself under a train - then can find no sign of her whatsoever, and neither can the authorities - he finds it troubling, until...
Well he finds a library/museum, and though even up to this point I found the story fascinating, 'simple' as it was - it gets even better. Suffice to say the rest would be in spoiler territory and most of us habitual readers would glean a lot simply from the story's title.
It was a real treat to read this; I bought it for Kindle. I have not read very much of Mr. Connolly, and I know he's more known for his mystery/horror type books. But I shall definitely add him and his books to my 'must read' list.
Five stars.
September 6, 2016
"No book is really a fixed object. Every reader reads a book differently, and each book works in a different way on each reader."
This is my favorite quote of this nice and very readable little book about books. I recommend it to every book lover. You'll probably like it, and in case you don't: see above.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
This is my favorite quote of this nice and very readable little book about books. I recommend it to every book lover. You'll probably like it, and in case you don't: see above.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
September 17, 2015
I read this story in John Connollys Night Music: Nocturnes Volume Two and I loved it!
The story is about a man that discovers that characters from famous books end up in The Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository for real as soon as the author has died. But only those really famous characters like Sherlock Holmes, Anna Karenina and Dracula, etc. It was egrossing to read and I loved every page of the story.
The story is about a man that discovers that characters from famous books end up in The Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository for real as soon as the author has died. But only those really famous characters like Sherlock Holmes, Anna Karenina and Dracula, etc. It was egrossing to read and I loved every page of the story.
September 1, 2022
Slight but entertaining short novella about books, book-lovers, and book characters who come alive in the real world. Read after reading my GR friends Nataliya's and Carol's reviews, which you can find nearby. I liked it a bit less than they did, but it's definitely a worthwhile read. If your library has the Hoopla ebook service, it will likely have the book, which is short enough that the annoyances of that service don't become burdensome.
November 29, 2014
I wish this books was true. I loved it.
October 26, 2022
Wonderful little story, so well told. Didn’t last long enough though!
June 24, 2018
Независимо че е само около стотина странички, чета тази книга повече от месец. Бях прочела около трийсет страници от нея и не останах впечатлена, затова и си постоя доста дълго на нощното шкафче. Днес реших най-накрая да я довърша и.... наистина много ми хареса! Вълшебната библиотека, оживяващите персонажи... Имаше нещо много привлекателно в цялата история и начинът, по който беше разказана. Със сигурност ще хвърля око и на други книги, написани от Конъли.
May 6, 2023
To outside observers, if any were to take an interest, Mr. Berger’s life would appear dull. In his mid-30s, he is single and lives alone. He works at a routine clerical job with a minor government agency, until a bequest from his mother allows him to quit his job and move to a small town in the English countryside.
But the outwardly dull Mr. Berger is a book lover with a lively interior life. He “led a life of the imagination, fed by stories. His flat was lined with shelves, and those shelves were filled with books that he loved.” “Mr. Berger might sometimes have been a little lonely, but he was never bored, and never unhappy, and he counted his days by the books that he read.”
On a late-night walk, Mr. Berger sees a woman jump into the path of a train. But there’s no body, and the police investigation turns up nothing. The police suggest that perhaps he’s mad. Returning to his reading, Mr. Berger realizes that what he saw was the climactic scene of Anna Karenina. Maybe he has been spending too much time alone with his books. But when he sees the woman at the train track again, he’s convinced it’s not just his imagination. Mr. Berger, “who had rarely had to make a more difficult decision than selecting the next book to read,” decides that he will investigate and find the woman.
His investigation leads him to the Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository, a mysterious old building about which no one seems to know anything. But Mr. Berger will not be deterred, and eventually, he gains access to the library. The place is a book lover’s dream, and Mr. Berger wants nothing more than to immerse himself in it and learn all its secrets.
This short novella is a charming story that just about any book lover would enjoy—especially readers of classic fiction. It’s full of literary allusions, wit, and book lore. A fun way to spend an hour or two.
But the outwardly dull Mr. Berger is a book lover with a lively interior life. He “led a life of the imagination, fed by stories. His flat was lined with shelves, and those shelves were filled with books that he loved.” “Mr. Berger might sometimes have been a little lonely, but he was never bored, and never unhappy, and he counted his days by the books that he read.”
On a late-night walk, Mr. Berger sees a woman jump into the path of a train. But there’s no body, and the police investigation turns up nothing. The police suggest that perhaps he’s mad. Returning to his reading, Mr. Berger realizes that what he saw was the climactic scene of Anna Karenina. Maybe he has been spending too much time alone with his books. But when he sees the woman at the train track again, he’s convinced it’s not just his imagination. Mr. Berger, “who had rarely had to make a more difficult decision than selecting the next book to read,” decides that he will investigate and find the woman.
His investigation leads him to the Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository, a mysterious old building about which no one seems to know anything. But Mr. Berger will not be deterred, and eventually, he gains access to the library. The place is a book lover’s dream, and Mr. Berger wants nothing more than to immerse himself in it and learn all its secrets.
This short novella is a charming story that just about any book lover would enjoy—especially readers of classic fiction. It’s full of literary allusions, wit, and book lore. A fun way to spend an hour or two.
December 4, 2014
First Sentence: Let us begin with this: to those looking at his life from without, it would have seemed that Mr. Berger led a dull existence.
Mr. Berger leads a quiet, uneventful life. An inheritance has allowed him to retire young and move to a small English village, spending most of his time reading and walking. On one walk, he sees a woman who reminds him greatly of a classic fictional character. She throws herself in front of a train, but no body, of any evidence of the event, is found. When Berger encounters her again, he follows her to a place where fiction and reality intermingle.
Connolly has employed a voice reminiscent of “once upon a time.” From the moment you start reading, you know you are in for a good story. He has wonderful, subtle humor, irony and dialogue; great repartee. ““You may think me mad.” “My dear fellow, we hardly know each other. I wouldn’t dare to make such a judgment until we were better acquainted.” Which seemed fair enough to Mr. Berger.”
“The Museum of Literary Souls” is a story with which every bibliophile and true lover of books will identify. There’s even a slight nod to Doctor Who. What a wonderful story.
THE MUSEUM OF LITERARY SOULS (Fantasy/Mystery-Mr. Berger-England-Contemp) – Ex
Connolly, John – Standalone Novelette - ebook
Storyfront, 2013
Mr. Berger leads a quiet, uneventful life. An inheritance has allowed him to retire young and move to a small English village, spending most of his time reading and walking. On one walk, he sees a woman who reminds him greatly of a classic fictional character. She throws herself in front of a train, but no body, of any evidence of the event, is found. When Berger encounters her again, he follows her to a place where fiction and reality intermingle.
Connolly has employed a voice reminiscent of “once upon a time.” From the moment you start reading, you know you are in for a good story. He has wonderful, subtle humor, irony and dialogue; great repartee. ““You may think me mad.” “My dear fellow, we hardly know each other. I wouldn’t dare to make such a judgment until we were better acquainted.” Which seemed fair enough to Mr. Berger.”
“The Museum of Literary Souls” is a story with which every bibliophile and true lover of books will identify. There’s even a slight nod to Doctor Who. What a wonderful story.
THE MUSEUM OF LITERARY SOULS (Fantasy/Mystery-Mr. Berger-England-Contemp) – Ex
Connolly, John – Standalone Novelette - ebook
Storyfront, 2013
July 21, 2014
Its amazing how beautifully written this short book is. The narration is simply amazing. The main character who you would initially believe to be a boring accounting type person turns out to be much more interesting to follow.
It may be short but its a wonderful little tale full of literary references and should be loved by any reader especially those frustrated by the endings of some of the classics.
John Connolly's imagination can be amazing and this book would be close to the wonderful Book of Lost Things in that respect rather than the darker Charlie Parker Novels.
If you love the thought of wonderful old books, or love the classics or have developed a connection to characters in books then this is a book for you.
I'm almost sorry it wasn't longer but then again I wouldn't change any of it
It may be short but its a wonderful little tale full of literary references and should be loved by any reader especially those frustrated by the endings of some of the classics.
John Connolly's imagination can be amazing and this book would be close to the wonderful Book of Lost Things in that respect rather than the darker Charlie Parker Novels.
If you love the thought of wonderful old books, or love the classics or have developed a connection to characters in books then this is a book for you.
I'm almost sorry it wasn't longer but then again I wouldn't change any of it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 248 reviews