A BOOKSHOP IN ALGIERS

This short, devastatingly moving book is one of the best I've read this year. This is a fictionalized account of Edmond Charlot and the influential bookstore/publishing house he set up in ALgiers, called 'Les Vraies Richesses'. There are three distinct narrative strands-fictionalised diary entries of Edmond Charlot, a first person plural narrative set during Algeria's independence movement and one in the present, from the perspective of Ryad, who's there to close up the bookshop and clean up the space. Adimi moves seamlessly across the narratives, and it's very poignant-the picture you get, of the bookstore's rising and waning fortunes, and the struggles that Algeria as a country goes through. The diary entries skim through the years, chronicling the start of the bookshop and publishing house with that all that hope and spirit- Charlot wanted to publish works that were Mediterranean, not just French, including Algerian writers. The chapters about the bookstore and printing press, during the shortages of World war II, are fascinating to read, with Charlot and his team, at one instance, making ink from from grapeseed oil, boot polish and chimney soot. By the end of World War 2, the authors CHarlot had discovered were famous ( Camus, among others), and he was urged to move his business to Paris, and expand it. By then, however, larger publishers like Gallimard, were back in business and were too much competition, with their larger resources, than Les Vraies RIchesses. Camus switched loyalties too, to Gallimard, after one too many missed payments, and Charlot moved back, to an Algeria in a foment over independence.I haven't read about the Algerian independence movement otherwise, and Adimi explores that , in al its horror but also inspiration, with accounts of courageous revolutionaries including the incredible story of Algerian footballers, who gave up a chance of playing for a World Cup for France, to form an FLN team and play for Algeria ( Rachid Mekhloufi deserves a separate book, and a biopic, just all to himself!). The bookstore was targeted by French colonial forces, and set on fire, along with the ALgerian National Library, as revenge for Charlot's views on Algeria's right to self-determination. Charlot left, and did not return to revive the bookstore, and it became absorbed into Algeria's university system, till it closed. I found the ending deeply affecting, with Ryad , in the present-day, continuing in Charlot's progressive tradition of literature as an arm of protest. This is a very rewarding book, and I only wish it were longer!

I bought this book because I love reading about bookstores and bookowners. I liked the idea of a little book store set in Algeria. I couldn't believe how much I enjoyed reading this book. It makes me want to go to Algeria and see where this bookstore was. After I read it, I actually hugged the book because it was such a great story. The only sad thing about it was that it mentions what happened in France to a lot of Algerians. That is something that never gets brought up in history, so this was the first time I have heard about this. It's a short book, but very insightful. It goe in my favorite books list.

Delivered promptly and all as ordered at a reasonable price. Highly recommend this seller.

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I knew a bit about Algeria's struggle with independence - this has made me curious to find out more.

I`m told this English translation reads well (I read it in French). The more you know Algeria the more you`ll appreciate it. However, even if you know nothing of the country, this is a cracking read. It`s trenchantly but subtly written. The construction is elegant, with a topping and tailing of the contemporary scene in Algiers. Above all, its a homage to the spirit of collaboration - more exactly to collaborativeness, a word which brings a red underlining from Microsoft but which describes the spirit of collaboration (rather than just the action) and avoids the negative wartime associations). It`s also a hymn in praise of books and reading. It`s a beautifully constructed book, easy to read but with plenty of echoes which resound after you`ve put the book down.

Beautifully written and translated. I loved the way the three plots were interlaced, and the fascinating way that the French and Algerian literary giants were woven into the story. I have never been to Algiers, but the description of the shops and cafes made me feel I was there. A fascinating read.