Shakespeare and Company bookstore was founded by American George Whitman in the year 1951. It used to be a meeting place for writers, artists, and intellectuals. Now it is a also a renowned cultural institution, a legendary literary place to welcome worldwide visitors. And I was one of the visitors here in the earlier of April. Indeed, it was Whitman’s life motto to welcome stranger. He said: “be not inhospitable to strangers lest they be angels in disguise”, his bookstore continues to welcome strangers.
Stepping into the bookstore was like entering an enchanted book world that only exists in imagination. Every corner, each room, the staircase, the corridor are decorated with such careful detail. My most loved room was the reading place at the 2nd floor, by the window. Then I read about the late bookstore owner wanted to write a novel with his bookstore, if I was in his bookstore, I was part of his novel. That was the magic he used.
“I created this bookstore like a man would write a novel, building each room like a chapter, and I like people to open the door the way they open a book, a book that leads into a magic world in their imaginations.”
— George Whitman
What should I get from this bookstore as a souvenir for me?
What about a blank book from Shakespeare and Company to write our story in Paris?
PS I have no picture, because it was not allowed to take picture inside the bookstore. You have to come and see it by yourself. If you love books, you probably will enchanted by this bookstore.
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- All George Whitman’s quotes are from the article – History of Shakespeare and Company Bookstore:
https://www.shakespeareandcompany.com/page/44/history