Once Upon a Tome

Step into the charmingly chaotic world of Henry Sotheran Ltd, a venerable institution on Sackville Street (established 1761), through the hilarious and heartfelt pages of Once Upon a Tome by Oliver Darkshire. This enchanting memoir uncovers the peculiar day-to-day life in the oldest, and quite possibly the most eccentric, bookshop in the United Kingdom. It is a narrative brimming with quirky anecdotes, unforeseen adventures, and an endless array of fascinating characters. Darkshire's story vividly brings to life the dusty corners, enchanted bookshelves, and the whimsically unpredictable world of antiquarian bookselling.

Several years ago, the author stumbled into the timeless realm of Sotheran's for what he thought would be a brief stint as an apprentice bookseller. Initially intending to spend just a year amidst the antiquities before moving on to a more lucrative career, Darkshire soon found himself ensnared by the intoxicating aroma of aged parchment and the irresistible allure of rare volumes. His supposed temporary job evolved into a labyrinthine journey filled with balancing teetering stacks of first editions, navigating through a myriad of bizarre cupboards, and dealing with suspiciously unlabelled keys. Occasionally, he even faced the daunting task of appeasing the shop’s resident ghost, the late Mr Sotheran, who had some unresolved issues after his untimely death involving a tram.

Sotheran's is more than just a bookshop; it is a microcosm of literary oddities and eccentric personalities. The staff, each with their own peculiar quirks, resemble characters straight out of a storybook, their tastes varying from the ingenious to the dangerously peculiar. The clientele is equally diverse, ranging from zealous collectors of esoteric volumes to nonagenarian widows, each bringing their own flavour of madness to the store. Among these encounters are passionate debates about books bound in human skin and lengthy conversations about the minutiae of rare book collecting, which transform mundane days into riotously funny and unpredictably engaging experiences.

Once Upon a Tome is not only a vivid depiction of life within the walls of one of the world's oldest bookshops but also a celebration of the delightful oddities of antiquarian bookselling. Darkshire paints a world where to be unusual is not just accepted but cherished. His narrative is a love letter to the history-drenched, disorderly, and utterly enchanting domain of rare books, revealing that the most satisfying adventures often come from the places where we least expect them. Whether you are a lover of books, a seeker of unique stories, or someone fascinated by the uncharted territories of human curiosity, Darkshire’s memoir promises to be a delightful and deeply satisfying read.