Once Upon a Tome

Seeking a Christmas present for that bibliophilic relative who has seemingly read everything? It's right here. * Financial Times *
Peculiarly hilarious and/or hilariously peculiar! -- William Gibson
An enchanting billet-doux to an arcane and eccentric world. Every page is a pleasure. -- Lindsey Fitzharris, bestselling author of The Facemaker
A wonderful, eccentric love letter to books and the people who love them... A must read for anyone who has ever lost a few hours in a second hand bookshop or been tutted at by a strangely dressed proprietor. -- Fergus Butler-Gallie, bestselling author of A Field Guide to the English Clergy
Utterly charming -- Tom Holland, bestselling author of Dominion
Darkshire is an exciting new voice brimming with self-effacing charm. If you consider yourself a book aficionado, this is your Coachella. -- Caitlin Doughty, author of Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
I love bookseller memoirs, and this is a laugh-out-loud exemplar... A very entertaining journey into the dimly lit heart of rare bookselling. -- Garth Nix, award-winning author of The Left-Handed Booksellers of London
Sirs, thank you for your extremely entertaining book, which I have enjoyed most heartily. The anecdotes about the bookselling profession were as enlightening as they were amusing. Unfortunately I have mislaid the book in question as there are honestly too many books here. I mean, they're everywhere. Teetering piles of the things. If ever I see it again I'll try and say something nice about it, but by then it will undoubtedly be too late. Yours apologetically, -- Neil Gaiman
A book lover's delight * Irish Examiner *
He writes very engagingly and extremely honestly... His sardonic wit runs through the book in a similar fashion to Shaun Bythell... But here there's more of a mischievous Terry Pratchett tone... Uproariously funny * Fine Books Magazine *
Beneath the bemusement and occasionally explosive irritation, there is a very kindly book here, about unlikely friendships and little epiphanies. * The Scotsman *
Once Upon A Tome is an utter treat for those of us who prefer books and reading to any other activity - the oddballs and obsessives who, like waggish Oliver Darkshire, never easily mixed with other children at school; who loathed compulsory games and sport; who have never 'texted' or 'tweeted'; and who require a lot of floor space, 'an indecent amount of square footage', to house our ever-expanding hoard. -- Book of the Week * Daily Mail *
With its mixture of exaggerated misanthropy and eloquent surrealism,Once Upon a Tome calls to mind the cult television sitcom Black Books, albeit with more emphasis on matters of genuine interest to bibliophiles. * Times Literary Supplement *
Mr. Darkshire is a witty observer .... All of this-the craft and customs of an esoteric enterprise; the delights and irritations of buying and selling-is conveyed in charming short chapters with titles like "Kerfuffles," and in a prim tone perfectly suited to Mr. Darkshire's subject. * Wall Street Journal *