Did anyone else feel the earth move? Sorry, that was because of me. I just added a Jenny Colgan novel – The Bookshop on the Shore — to my DNF pile. *Gulp*
It’s no secret that I adore Colgan’s novels. The Bookshop on the Corner (or, The Book Shop of Happy Ever After, if you’re in the U.K.) was my first foray into the wonderful world of Jenny Colgan. Although I didn’t love it, I liked it enough to read The Little Beach Street Bakery, which I absolutely adored, and which started my obsession with all things written by Colgan. Several of her books have since made it to my Quick Look Books recommendation lists, and The Endless Beach inspired one of my favorite bookish recipes.
This is why it pains me to move The Bookshop on the Shore to my Did Not Finish pile. I tried so hard to get into this novel, but I just couldn’t. It has some of the same characters as The Bookshop on the Corner, but it’s a new story about a harried, single mother named Zoe who moves to Scotland in order to work in a book van (you must read The Bookshop on the Corner to understand why this is an appealing career decision). Zoe also lands a job at the local creepy manor house in a kind of The Sound of Music situation: no mother, absentee father, and wild, snotty children who don’t want a governess. Erm, I mean, nanny.
I got to page 127, well past my 50-page rule, and called it quits. I’m sure the story is being set up for more – after all, I left nearly 300 pages unread – but I found it slow-moving and uninspired. The cadence of Colgan’s writing feels awkward and halting, and while many of her books begin in this style, I just can’t seem to find my rhythm with this one. I normally happily tumble head-first into whatever world Colgan creates for her reader, but I remained firmly planted in my own with this one.
I highly suspect that The Bookshop on the Shore will end up with Zoe finally being the woman to get through to the children, giving them the mother figure they’ve lost years before. I’m sure she’ll also get through to the father, too, to make him realize that he needs to be part of his children’s lives. And, I’m 85% sure Zoe and the Scottish Captain Von Trapp will fall in love. I also hope that Zoe’s stint on the book van works out, since from what I read in the first 127 pages, her life in London was complete crap, and she really shouldn’t go back to that.
Ugh. Even as I’m writing this review, I’m glancing longingly over at my copy of The Bookshop on the Shore. I want to read this one all the way through. Well, actually… I want to WANT to read this. I’m pretty sure I could like Zoe’s story once I get into it. Just…when is that moment going to start?? The thought of wading through another 50 similar pages doesn’t really spur me into reading action.
I feel like I’m going to go back to The Bookshop on the Shore at some point. If I didn’t just get a notice that 10 books (yes, 10) just arrived at the library for me, I might push myself to keep reading. (Why do library holds always come in all at once???) But, as I say, too many books, too little time, and it’s time to move on from this particular Colgan novel.
However, Tartlets, please don’t let my experience deter you from picking up The Bookshop on the Shore and trying it for yourselves. I’m a huge advocate of Colgan’s works, and I know that not every book can be a hit. So! If you’re a newcomer to Coglan, please don’t start with The Bookshop on the Shore. And, if you’re a longtime fan, give this one a whirl. Just remember that if you can’t get into it, you’re in good company!
Have you read The Bookshop On the Shore? Please let me know in the comments below if I’ve made a total mistake in DNF’ing this one!
I really want to read this book now. You’ve got me wondering about the whole wood thing, I need to know what happens!
Oh, for The Silent Companions?? The wood is definitely a different take on the usual haunted house story. It’s a must-read!
Did anyone figure who the sweet faced woman in the sari at the end of the book was?
I really loved it, although I think I understand why you stopped. My favorite character is Patrick, and love the relationship between him and Hari. I believe the woman at the end was Jaz’s mother, i found the ending quite confusing!
I really wanted to keep reading, but I just couldn’t get into it. But, if the ending is confusing…maybe it’s better I stopped when I did. I’m confused enough as it is most of the time, LOL. 🙂