First Impressions; A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love, and Jane Austen
by Lovett, Charlie
- Used
- Fine
- Hardcover
- Signed
- first
- Condition
- Fine/fine
- ISBN 10
- 0525427244
- ISBN 13
- 9780525427247
- Seller
-
Port St. Lucie, Florida, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Reviews
“A good book is like a good friend. It will stay with you for the rest of your life. When you first get to know it, it will give you excitement and adventure, and years later it will provide you with comfort and familiarity. And best of all, you can share it with your children or your grandchildren or anyone you love enough to let into its secrets.”
First Impressions is the fourth novel by American writer, teacher and playwright, Charlie Lovett. After Sophie Collingwood’s beloved Uncle Bertram dies, and his treasured book collection is sold off, she eventually consoles herself by working for his favourite bookseller, Augustus Boxhill at Antiquarian Books in London. Quite soon after she starts there, she is presented with a request to source a rare second edition of an obscure little book of allegories written by Reverend Richard Mansfield in 1796. But what is most intriguing is that two different customers ask for the book in fairly quick succession. And, distracting her from her search, two things: the memory of a moonlight kiss from a rather cheeky American, and the nagging feeling that her Uncle’s death was not accidental. The present day narrative alternates with chapters that describe moments in the real and imagined life of Jane Austen as she was about to embark on her second novel, tentatively titled First Impressions; and events in the lives of Richard Mansfield and of a certain eighteenth century printer, Gilbert Monkhouse.
Lovett has extensive experience with book collectors, collections and all manner of libraries, and his expertise in antiquarian bookshops and rare editions is apparent on every page. He imparts a wealth of knowledge, about books, about printing and about Jane Austen, and presents it in an easily digestible manner. There are some parallels between the two timelines: an older mentor who dies; the haunting sight of empty bookshelves; and meetings during a waterside stroll. Lovett skilfully blends fact with fiction and the “what if” scenario on which the plot hangs generates more than enough mystery to make this a real page-turner with an exciting climax.
Lovett creates a marvellous cast of characters, some of whom will certainly have the reader wondering about their honesty and their motivations. Contrary to her usual behaviour, Sophie finds herself shoplifting a very expensive book, stealing from a library, and breaking into a house, but her reverence at holding a first edition of Pride and Prejudice assures the reader of her pure intentions. Lovett paints Austen as an intelligent, thoughtful young woman with remarkable moral strength and a delightful sense of humour.
Those die-hard fans of Austen who recoil at the mere mention of Austen and plagiarism in the same sentence should take heed of a remark Bertram makes to Sophie: ”But the truth and a good story are not always the same thing, now, are they?” The cover of the Text Publishing edition is particularly evocative, and this excellent literary mystery will have readers seeking out more work by this fine author.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Christopher Morrow, Bookseller (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 0003280
- Title
- First Impressions; A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love, and Jane Austen
- Author
- Lovett, Charlie
- Format/Binding
- Hardcover
- Book Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- fine
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First edition. First Printing
- ISBN 10
- 0525427244
- ISBN 13
- 9780525427247
- Publisher
- Viking Press
- Place of Publication
- New York
- Date Published
- 2014
- Bookseller catalogs
- Fiction;
Terms of Sale
Christopher Morrow, Bookseller
Items offered are subject to prior sale. All books are First Editions unless stated otherwise. First Editions are the first printing of a book. We guarantee all signed books. They may be returned at any time if proven not to be authentic. Returns: Please contact us for instructions. Customers may return books for any reason as long as they are in the same condition as sent, and we will provide a full refund (buyer pays shipping). If books are not as described we will also reimburse return shipping (book cost plus initial shipping plus return shipping). We, as seller, are also responsible for lost or damaged items in transit.
About the Seller
Christopher Morrow, Bookseller
About Christopher Morrow, Bookseller
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- Brodart
- Generally used to refer to a clear plastic cover that is sometimes added to the dustjacket or outside covering of a book. The...
- Jacket
- Sometimes used as another term for dust jacket, a protective and often decorative wrapper, usually made of paper which wraps...
- Cloth
- "Cloth-bound" generally refers to a hardcover book with cloth covering the outside of the book covers. The cloth is stretched...
- Title Page
- A page at the front of a book which may contain the title of the book, any subtitles, the authors, contributors, editors, the...
- Tight
- Used to mean that the binding of a book has not been overly loosened by frequent use.
- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
- Number Line
- A series of numbers appearing on the copyright page of a book, where the lowest number generally indicates the printing of that...