A Bookshop in Algiers

Kaouther Adimi’s A Bookshop in Algiers, originally published in French, is a moving and deeply resonant tribute to a real-life bookseller and publisher, Edmond Charlot, and his legendary bookshop. Spanning the tumultuous 20th century in Algiers, the novel juxtaposes the past and present, thereby exploring the enduring legacy of a place and a person who believed in the power of words.

Tasked with clearing out the now-defunct bookshop, Ryad is a young man with little interest in books or history. What should have been a straightforward chore, however, quickly transforms into something much bigger. As he sorts through the dusty archives, Ryad begins to uncover Charlot’s legacy and the profound stories embedded in the books and walls of the shop. This journey of discovery allows the reader to connect with the past through Ryad’s contemporary perspective, bridging the gap between history and the present.

Adimi’s writing is both delicate and precise. She captures the atmosphere of Algiers with vivid detail and handles the complex history with sensitivity. The novel is not just a celebration of books; it’s also a subtle critique of how history is forgotten or ignored. By showing the tragic decline of the bookshop, Adimi highlights the quiet loss of a cultural heritage. The book’s short length belies its depth, as it is dense with literary allusions and historical context.

A Bookshop in Algiers is a heartfelt homage to the booksellers, writers, and readers who built and sustained a community around literature, and a reminder that a bookshop can be more than just a place—it can be an idea, a dream, and a testament to the enduring human spirit.