The Paris Bookseller cover art

The Paris Bookseller

A sweeping story of love, friendship and betrayal in bohemian 1920s Paris

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Paris Bookseller

By: Kerri Maher
Narrated by: Lauryn Allman
Try Premium Plus free

Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.99

Buy Now for $26.99

About this listen

Inspired by the woman who founded Shakespeare and Company.

The captivating story of a trailblazing young woman who fought against incredible odds to bring one of the most important books of the 20th century to the world. For fans of The Paris Library, The Age of Light and The Paris Wife.

Paris, 1919.

Young, bookish Sylvia Beach knows there is no greater city in the world than Paris. But when she opens an English-language bookshop on the bohemian Left Bank, Sylvia can't yet know she is making history.

Many leading writers of the day, from Ernest Hemingway to Gertrude Stein, consider Shakespeare and Company a second home. Here some of the most profound literary friendships blossom - and none more so than between James Joyce and Sylvia herself.

When Joyce's controversial novel Ulysses is banned, Sylvia determines to publish it through Shakespeare and Company. But the success and notoriety of publishing the most infamous book of the century comes at deep personal cost as Sylvia risks ruin, reputation and her heart in the name of the life-changing power of books....

©2022 Kerri Maher (P)2022 Headline Publishing Group Ltd 20th Century Fiction Historical Fiction Literature & Fiction Heartfelt Inspiring Shakespeare

Critic Reviews

"A vivid evocation of the famous female-owned Parisian bookshop.... Kerri Maher writes a love letter to books, bookstores and booklovers everywhere." (Kate Quinn, author of The Alice Network)

"I was completely enthralled." (Natasha Lester, author of The Paris Secret)

"A compelling and fascinating look at the world-changing mavericks who bonded, bickered and triumphed in the realm of literature." (Nuala O'Connor)
All stars
Most relevant
I love historical fiction and the author does a wonderful job.
The author's notes at the end answered a lot of my questions, very enjoyable overall.

A wonderful era in Paris, and beautifully written

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Truely remarkable story , exceptionally well written and superb reading. It’s a fascinating time in history and beautifully revealed. The characters are so real in the telling.

Best book for a long time.

Look forward to Ms Maher next book. Please don’t stop.

Fantastic

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This book is a fabulous tale of a little corner of the world in one of our great literary times. Sylvia's life work is worthy of such a beauty account. Great narration and insight into the lives of writers in the 20s. Bravo!

Wonderful Transportation Back In Time

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I don't normally listen to this genre of books, found this most enjoyable. Gave so much information about what went during this period of time. Thought is good at the start and improve as it continued. Nrration also very good.

Great book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I found this book to be captivating. It became more interesting as it went along and I really had no idea this was a book based on true life until the author's notes at the conclusion.

So interesting

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.