Sixpence House by Paul CollinsPublisher: Bloomsbury 2003
Hardback 246 pages
I have found my heaven. When I read the subtitle to Paul Collins book, "Lost in a Town of Books" I had to question... what does he mean "town of books"? As I read on I came to realize that this town is no feat of the imagination, it is a real live town where booksellers outnumber any other trade, where antiquarian bookshops are the norm and a person can spend a lifetime perusing the millions of books that have been forgotten on miles of shelving. In other words, I have found my version of heaven!
The small village in Wales, Hay-on-Wye, is where the writer Collins moves his family from the bustle of San Francisco, in search of a quiet respite amongst the books. Part travel memoir and part history of the printed word, the book follows Collins as he tries to find a home for his small family. As they search for the perfect house we are taken for a browsing tour of forgotten books given a new life by Collins enthusiasm for the rare works.
And while Collins failed in finding a home in his heaven, I must admit I'm not discouraged at all. I may too find myself there, wandering the aisles, discovering lost treasures and losing myself in the forgotten worlds of those who have lived and written before me.
