The Door-to-Door Bookstore

I don't go out to make a list of books to read. I don't chase new releases either. I simply read them when I come across them. This means that what's new-to-me might be something you may have read. My library-reserved physical copy of Carsten Henn's 'The Door-To-Door Bookstore' (July 2023) arrived earlier than expected. 

Borrowing it was glitchy though, because the NLB system operating the reservation lockers went down and the information desk insisted that manual retrieval wasn't possible, and told me to wait indefinitely and try to see if it goes back online in either ten minutes or two hours. There would be no refunds for the reservation fee paid although it wasn't my fault. Lesson learnt- it doesn't benefit me to pay for NLB book reservations early. Just pay when I get there. If the system is down, I can't get my book anyway. Why bother. Dammit.  

Anyway, I got the book and settled down to read it. And by golly, this is a book that unexpectedly made me tear. It's touching. It's idealistic, and it's lovely. Community, bonds, unexpected links and a love of books.

Set in a small town in southern Germany, protagonist 72-year-old Carl Kollhoff has worked at City Gate Bookshop most of his life. With age, he has reduced his work hours to the evenings, but he still goes door-to-door delivering books by hand to his loyal customers. (Reviews here and here.)

Carl has an uncanny knack of understanding what his customers' reading preferences. They trust his book recommendations and would happily buy whatever he suggests, and it seems to be that it always turns out to be the right recommendations to each individual. As the years go by, Carl reduced his work hours. He doesn't get many orders to deliver, maybe two or three every evening; four on a busy day. Most people don't read anymore, and if they do, it appears to be easier for the bookshop to deliver them via an automated courier system.

Nine-year-old 'Schascha' suddenly decided to join Carl on his book runs. Or walks. She's insanely curious and made instant 'friends' with Carl's customers, and even got invited into their homes to take a look at their books, something Carl doesn't do because he doesn't overstep his own perceived boundaries, which is to remain as an excellent bookseller to his customers. Schascha and Carl formed a mostly unlikely friendship. Then 'Schascha' stopped joining him and completely disappeared. Carl was a tad upset and worried about her.

City Gate Bookshop was owned by Sabine Gruber's father, Gustav. Gustav and Carl shared an amiable friendship. Then Gustav took ill and left the running of the bookshop to his daughter. Then he passed away. Sabine was finally going to implement all the sweeping changes to modernize how a bookshop would operate, and hopefully turn in a better profit for the business. Part of it involves in discontinuing the book delivery service and letting Carl go. And not even allowing Carl to be part of the family circle at Gustav's funeral. 

It was a bit painful to read the parts when Sabine wanted Carl to leave and he offered to work without wages or even buy those books on his own to deliver to his current batch customers in town who prefer a personalized sort of service. The bookstore's three other full-time employees tried to defend and justify Carl's existence. 

It took all of Carl's effort just to stand. For the first few moments, he couldn't even think. Only when he realized he'd forgotten to breathe did he begin thinking again—and filling his lungs with air. Use his free evenings for something more enjoyable? There was nothing more enjoyable for him than taking books to other people! 

Then, Carl Kollhoff was unceremoniously fired by Sabine Gruber. Just like that. He spent money to buy those books and deliver them to his customers who don't know that he had been fired. The customers gave him their orders and they made payment via direct bank transfer to City Gate bookshop. This is the life he has known and he knows no others. Delivering books made him happy and now, he has to fork out his own money to get them. "He received almost nothing for his treasures. Sometimes a new book cost him twenty old ones." He sold his first editions, limited editions and everything he had to antiquarian book buyers. 

It isn't just about people not reading physical copies of books anymore, or not reading at all. It became a slightly contentious point about ageing employees versus business relevance and brand identity. It's also about elderly folks finding a purpose in life and if they have the opportunity and space to do what they would like to do instead of being dismissed by younger employers.

'Schascha' is a fake name. The girl's name is Charlotte. She stopped joining him on his book rounds because her father said no. The father absolutely disliked the idea of it. And finally one night, the father found Carl and pushed him. He broke his arm and his leg. Yet the father didn't apologize or own. The hospital thought Carl had a bad fall. Carl fell into... depression.

Then things happened. 

The ending felt a bit rushed, but I'll give it a pass. It doesn't have a terrible ending, if that's what you're worried about. I dislike bad endings too. I won't spoil it for readers here. Read this book. It's worth your time. The ending is expected, but still a pleasant surprise. Absolutely lovely. If books can make people feel good, this one made me feel like believing that there're still kind people out there in this world. And there's a community for you, even when you least expect it, even for the most hardened cynic.