The book was released to Vietnamese readers in March, translated by AQ, published by Nha Nam Company, and published by Vietnamese Women's Publishing House.
The work is divided into two parts, revolving around the character AJ Firky (abbreviated as AJ), a widower who owns the only bookstore on Alice Island. He is a picky "bookworm", with a special "taste": he doesn't read anything under 150 pages and over 400 pages, doesn't like postmodern literature, post-apocalyptic settings, and doesn't like mixing genres together.
Throughout AJ's life, writing has been a thread of fate, connecting him to relationships. AJ and his late wife met, easily bonded, and became literary researchers. After his wife passed away, there were three milestones that changed him: meeting Amelia - a representative of Knightley Publishing; having his precious poetry collection stolen - Tamerlane , Edgar Allan Poe; reluctantly became the father of Maya - a child abandoned by her mother in a bookstore with a letter asking for help raising her.
Most of the characters value the harmony of soul and thought through reading and choosing book genres. From the pages of books, love is reborn and blossoms in AJ. First of all, it is his love for his smart daughter Maya, who is passionate about books. Her appearance makes a rigid person like AJ change his lifestyle. Because of Maya, the hand that is used to wrapping books is now ready to change diapers. Although he has never been interested in picture books, now he "decides" to will become an expert in that field." In addition, each story in the work opens with a letter AJ writes to Maya. The heartfelt words or notes in the books encouraging his daughter to read are my love
It was literature that helped AJ open up to Amelia after the losses of the past. Amelia's first introduction to him was not very favorable because of the difference in favorite genres. After a while, no longer refusing the book Amelia treasured - The Late Bloomer , he patiently rereads, partly to appreciate its true value, but more importantly to understand her. AJ proposes: "I hope you can become my wife. I promise we will read books together, talk together, and I will give you all my heart, Amy". The changes in the characters' personalities are associated with the author's changing writing style: from sad, profound to witty, romantic, emotional.
The power of books not only connects individuals but also the entire community on Alice Island. AJ realized in his final days: "We read books to know we are not alone. We read books because we are alone. We read books so we are not alone."
Here, the people have always given the Island Bookstore a special place, considering it a symbol that has accompanied their spiritual life for many years. Groups and book clubs are still active. Alice has also produced young writers such as Maya and John Furness - who won two out of three awards at the Island County short story writing contest. Everyone understands that: "A community cannot be considered a real community without its own bookstore". That is also the reason why after AJ passed away, his close relatives who shared his love of books, Ismay, his ex-wife's sister, and Lambiase, the police chief, decided to stay and take over the bookstore instead of going to the Florida Keys to retire as planned.
In Bookstore on the island , The author mentions, quotes, and incorporates many details and dialogues from classic literary works such as restaurants with decoration and menus inspired by Moby Dick by Herman Melville, short stories that AJ suggested to her daughter. Thanks to that, reading a book, readers have more opportunities to explore the diversity and richness of the art world . The plot is gentle, easily touching the emotional flow of each person.
According to The Washington Post , "Gabrielle Zevin has written an entertaining, engaging novel that is never corny or sentimental. It offers an optimistic view of the future of books and of those who love to read."
The book won many prestigious awards, including the Southern California Independent Book Association Award and the Japanese Book Distribution Systems Choice Award. In late 2022, the novel was adapted into a film, with Zevin himself as the screenwriter.
Gabrielle Zevin, 48, is an American bestselling author and screenwriter, who has been featured in New York Times as well as highly appreciated by the literary world. Her works have been translated into 39 languages. In Vietnam, some of Zevin's published books are: Tomorrow, tomorrow and tomorrow again, The Island Bookstore.
Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/nhan-duyen-tu-nhung-trang-sach-3355747.html
Comment (0)