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The Bookseller at the End of the World
The Bookseller at the End of the World
The Bookseller at the End of the World
Audiobook7 hours

The Bookseller at the End of the World

Written by Ruth Shaw

Narrated by Nicolette McKenzie

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5/5

()

About this audiobook

In the far south of New Zealand, in the remote Fiordland village of Manapouri, Ruth Shaw runs two tiny bookshops. In this memoir, she weaves together stories of the characters who visit her shops, musings about favourite reads, and bittersweet stories from her full and varied life, which has been crammed with incredible escapades. After becoming the first New Zealand Wren to go AWOL, Ruth has sailed the Pacific for years, been boarded by pirates, and worked the yacht BREAKSEA GIRL with her husband Lance. Travelling to various countries, she's worked as a chef and for an illegal bookie, run street gambling games and a free-range pig farm, provided counselling and assistance to drug users and sex workers, and campaigned on numerous environmental issues. And there have been deep losses and long-held pain - balanced out, though, by her beautiful love story with Lance, and her delightful sense of humour.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateOct 1, 2022
ISBN9781399137195
The Bookseller at the End of the World

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Reviews for The Bookseller at the End of the World

Rating: 4.543478260869565 out of 5 stars
4.5/5

46 ratings8 reviews

What our readers think

Readers find this title to be a deeply emotional and clever gem. It tells a story with brutal honesty and courage, resonating with many readers. The book is raw, surprising, and even shocking at times, but also delightful, joyous, and full of light. The characters are rich and colorful, making them feel like real people. While the darker parts may trigger some readers, overall, this extraordinary book is worth reading.

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Trigger warning: rape in chapter 5

    Loved this book, not the cosy read I was expecting but definitely worth it

    2 people found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Like Ruth, I grew up in NZ; in Reefton on the West Coast of the South Island in my case. I’m slightly younger but so very much of Ruth’s life story resonates with me. She tells it with brutal honesty, forthrightness and courage; much as she’s lived her life. This deeply emotional, clever, pragmatic, New Zealander is a gem, as is her book. May she and her darling husband live to be 100!

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    As a lover of books, the title got my attention... The book is sometimes raw, surprising, and even shocking, but is also delightful, joyous and full of light. The characters are rich and colourful, as real people so often are. The darker parts may trigger some readers. Thank you for this extraordinary book - I am so glad the title drew me in.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A memoir full of topsy turvy experiences, but then that is life! Beautiful narration and the book is more than just about a bookshop :)
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I've so enjoyed listening to your story. The joys of the small every day. The deeper parts woven together make me sad to come to the end
    Aroha nui my fiirst NZ audio book. Great read.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Beautiful Journey through Ruth’s eventful life. This book is a reminder to be adventurous. Very fun and heartwarming life story.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I don’t usually listen to books like this. It took me a few chapters to get in but once I was I was hooked to this raw, relatable, moving and beautiful memoir
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Loved this book
    A poignant personal history, with so much information on kiwi culture and history.
    Ruth resonates with her readers in peeling back the layers and laying them bare with candid honesty.
    I love a happy ending !