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The Story of Paris' Beloved Bookstore and Its Founder: Shakespeare and Company

Ira Cox

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Published in Sylvia S Bookshop: The Story Of Paris S Beloved Bookstore And Its Founder (As Told By The Bookstore Itself )

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Shakespeare And Company Bookstore In Paris, France Sylvia S Bookshop: The Story Of Paris S Beloved Bookstore And Its Founder (As Told By The Bookstore Itself )

In the heart of Paris's Latin Quarter, there is a bookstore that has become a beloved institution for bookworms and travelers alike. Shakespeare and Company has been a haven for bibliophiles for over a century, and its story is as rich and fascinating as the books that line its shelves.

The bookstore was founded in 1919 by Sylvia Beach, an American expatriate who had moved to Paris after World War I. Beach was a passionate lover of literature, and she dreamed of creating a bookstore that would be a meeting place for writers and readers from all over the world. She named the store after William Shakespeare, her favorite playwright, and it quickly became a popular gathering spot for the city's literary elite.

Sylvia's Bookshop: The Story of Paris's Beloved Bookstore and Its Founder (As Told by the Bookstore Itself!)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7519 KB
Print length	:	32 pages

In the 1920s, Shakespeare and Company was a regular haunt for Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, and other members of the Lost Generation. The store was also a hub for the city's avant-garde artists and intellectuals, and it became known for its eclectic collection of books and its lively literary discussions.

During World War II, Shakespeare and Company was forced to close its doors. But in 1951, it was reopened by George Whitman, an American expat who had been a customer of the store before the war. Whitman dedicated his life to keeping the bookstore alive, and he ran it for over 50 years.

Under Whitman's leadership, Shakespeare and Company became even more of a literary landmark. He welcomed writers and travelers from all over the world, and he often let them stay in the store's famous "Tumbleweed Room." Over the years, the bookstore has hosted countless readings, book signings, and literary events.

In 2010, Shakespeare and Company was passed down to Whitman's daughter, Sylvia Whitman. She has continued her father's tradition of welcoming writers and travelers, and she has worked to keep the bookstore a vibrant part of the city's literary scene.

Today, Shakespeare and Company is more than just a bookstore. It is a literary institution that has played a vital role in the lives of countless writers and readers. It is a place where people can come to find inspiration, community, and a love of books.

The Founder: Sylvia Beach

Sylvia Beach, Founder Of Shakespeare And Company Bookstore In Paris, France Sylvia S Bookshop: The Story Of Paris S Beloved Bookstore And Its Founder (As Told By The Bookstore Itself )

Sylvia Beach was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1887. She moved to Paris in 1919, and she opened Shakespeare and Company the following year. Beach was a passionate lover of literature, and she was determined to create a bookstore that would be a welcoming place for writers and readers alike.

Beach was a pioneer in the world of bookselling. She was one of the first booksellers to specialize in modern literature, and she was always willing to take risks on new and unknown authors. She also played a vital role in promoting the work of American writers in Europe.

In 1922, Beach published James Joyce's Ulysses, which had been rejected by several other publishers. The book was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish Joyce as one of the most important writers of the 20th century.

Beach was also a generous and supportive friend to many writers. She often lent them money, gave them a place to stay, and helped them to get their work published. She was a true champion of literature, and she played a vital role in the development of modernism.

The Bookstore Today

Shakespeare And Company Bookstore In Paris, France Today Sylvia S Bookshop: The Story Of Paris S Beloved Bookstore And Its Founder (As Told By The Bookstore Itself )

Today, Shakespeare and Company is still a beloved institution for bookworms and travelers alike. The store is located in a picturesque building on the Rue de la Bûcherie, and it is filled with an eclectic collection of books from all over the world.

The store is also home to a famous "Tumbleweed Room," where travelers can stay for free in exchange for reading a book a day and helping out with the store. Over the years, the Tumbleweed Room has hosted countless writers and artists from all over the world.

Shakespeare and Company is more than just a bookstore. It is a literary institution that has played a vital role in the lives of countless writers and readers. It is a place where people can come to find inspiration, community, and a love of books.

Visiting Shakespeare and Company

If you are a lover of books, then you should definitely visit Shakespeare and Company on your next trip to Paris. The store is located at 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, and it is open every day from 10am to midnight.

When you visit Shakespeare and Company, be sure to take some time to browse the shelves and soak up the atmosphere. You can also attend one of the store's many readings

Sylvia's Bookshop: The Story of Paris's Beloved Bookstore and Its Founder (As Told by the Bookstore Itself!)

4.3 out of 5