Once Upon a Tome

Seeking a Christmas present for that bibliophilic relative who has seemingly read everything? It’s right here. * Financial Times *Peculiarly hilarious and/or hilariously peculiar! – William GibsonAn enchanting billet-doux to an arcane and eccentric world. Every page is a pleasure. – Lindsey Fitzharris, bestselling author of The FacemakerA wonderful, eccentric love letter to books and the people who love them… A must read for anyone who has ever lost a few hours in a second hand bookshop or been tutted at by a strangely dressed proprietor. – Fergus Butler-Gallie, bestselling author of A Field Guide to the English ClergyUtterly charming – Tom Holland, bestselling author of DominionDarkshire is an exciting new voice brimming with self-effacing charm. If you consider yourself a book aficionado, this is your Coachella. – Caitlin Doughty, author of Smoke Gets in Your EyesI love bookseller memoirs, and this is a laugh-out-loud exemplar… A very entertaining journey into the dimly lit heart of rare bookselling. – Garth Nix, award-winning author of The Left-Handed Booksellers of LondonSirs, thank you for your extremely entertaining book, which I have enjoyed most heartily. The anecdotes about the bookselling profession were as enlightening as they were amusing. Unfortunately I have mislaid the book in question as there are honestly too many books here. I mean, they’re everywhere. Teetering piles of the things. If ever I see it again I’ll try and say something nice about it, but by then it will undoubtedly be too late. Yours apologetically, – Neil GaimanA book lover’s delight * Irish Examiner *He writes very engagingly and extremely honestly… His sardonic wit runs through the book in a similar fashion to Shaun Bythell… But here there’s more of a mischievous Terry Pratchett tone… Uproariously funny * Fine Books Magazine *

Oliver Darkshire is 28, and his life as a struggling bookseller and writer is exactly what his careers instructor warned him would happen if he didn’t pay attention. He lives in Manchester with his husband and a house full of books he actively tried not to collect.