The Librarianist by Patrick deWitt is the story of a retired librarian who is lonely and needs to find meaning and purpose in his solitary life. So he starts helping out a senior center. He starts encouraging the seniors to read, and here's a selection that I highlighted. "Why read at all? Why does anyone doe it in the first place? Why do I? There is the element of escape, which is real enough--that's a real-enough comfort. But also we read as a way to come to grips with the randomness of our being alive. To read a book by an observant, sympathetic mind is to see the human landscape in all its odd detail, and the reader says to him or herself, 'Yes, that's how is is, only I didn't know it to describe it.' There's a fraternity achieved, then: we are not alone." Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

From start to finish this read is all about Bob Comet. His world, his life, the sum of his existence. Quiet and gentle, a deep pond in places, and like sins of omission, this read provoked thoughts about choices of omission and all they prevent.

I also found myself considering the concept of "enough" - is it about bridle and restraint or about nonessentialness. . .no more need to pursue, acquire, or seek for whatever there's enough of. . .a kind of paralysis in life. . .this far, no further thinking. Stuck. Stagnant: without inflow or outflow. Bob Comet is not exactly that. . .but he is wary of change, and is alarmed to be anywhere but in the background. And yet, he kept me hoping, even through his adventures hooking up at 11 years old with Ida and June, ancient thespians on a Last Adventure.

Looking over my shoulder at the end of the read I had a few reservations about authorial choices, all about things the Bob Comet as he developed in my head would have done differently, but not wanting to spoil the read of others, I'll just shelve them as souvenirs of this read.

The Librarianist intrigued me, and I will seek out others of this author's works.

*A sincere thank you to Patrick deWitt, Ecco, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #TheLibrarianist #NetGalley

This is a beautifully crafted novel that resonated deeply with me, particularly because of my own experience working in a library. This story is more than just a tribute to the quiet, book-filled world of libraries; it’s a heartfelt exploration of the relationships and connections that shape our lives.

The protagonist, Bob Comet, is a retired librarian whose life takes an unexpected turn when he befriends a group of senior citizens. Their relationships form the emotional core of the novel, and deWitt does a masterful job of portraying these characters with warmth, humor, and authenticity. The dynamics between Bob and the seniors are both touching and realistic.

What I loved most about this book was how it captured the quiet dignity of a life spent among books, while also celebrating the often-overlooked relationships that can develop in later stages of life. The story is filled with moments of quiet reflection, gentle humor, and poignant insights that made it a truly enjoyable read.

The Librarianist hit especially close to home for me, as someone who understands the unique world of libraries and the special connections that can form within them.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I thought this would be better, but it was slow and boring. No it is in the DNF pile. That's too bad, we all thought it would be a good one.

I’m not gonna lie. This took me a few to get into, but once I did get into it, I couldn’t put it down. It was so good! I literaloved the plot, story everything

3 Cheers for The Librarianist.

Patrick deWitt’s "The Librarianist" is a novel with many rewards. It has a quiet, understated tone. Though it could be that the narrative seems episodic, that minor observation is overcome by a thoroughly engaging journey through the life of Bob Comet. The major action of the novel often occurs offstage, leaving the reader to infer what is happening based on the characters’ reactions and the information that deWitt disseminates with a controlled, keen agenda. But this is not a criticism. In fact, it is one thing that makes The Librarianist such a unique and enjoyable and immersive reading experience. The novel pulls at your emotions from two levels at once: what is on the page, and what is being evoked in the reader’s imagination.

Patrick deWitt’s The Librarianist is a tender and quietly powerful novel that delves into the life of an unassuming yet deeply introspective protagonist, Bob Comet. Known for his offbeat and darkly humorous storytelling, deWitt takes a more subdued but equally compelling approach in this novel, crafting a narrative that explores themes of solitude, community, and the hidden depths of ordinary lives.

Bob Comet is a retired librarian who leads a life of quiet routine and reflective solitude. Through deWitt's masterful storytelling, readers are invited into Bob's world, where the simplicity of his daily activities contrasts with the rich inner life that unfolds through his memories and interactions. The novel opens with Bob's rescue of a lost elderly woman, an act that sets off a chain of events leading him to volunteer at a local retirement home. Here, Bob begins to reconnect with his past and the people around him, gradually unveiling the layers of his character and history.

DeWitt’s prose is elegant and understated, capturing the essence of Bob's introspective nature. The narrative is interspersed with flashbacks to Bob's earlier life, including his experiences as a young man and his time as a librarian. These glimpses into Bob's past reveal a man shaped by literature and a deep sense of empathy, providing context for his current state of quiet contemplation.

The supporting characters in The Librarianist are richly drawn and add depth to the story. From the residents of the retirement home to Bob's estranged family members, each character contributes to the tapestry of Bob's life, highlighting the interconnectedness of human experiences. DeWitt excels at portraying the small but significant moments that define relationships, whether it’s a fleeting conversation or a shared understanding.

One of the novel’s most poignant aspects is its exploration of solitude and loneliness. Bob's life is marked by a profound sense of isolation, yet it is through his solitude that he discovers a deeper connection to the world around him. DeWitt handles this theme with sensitivity and insight, offering a nuanced portrayal of what it means to be alone and how one finds meaning in such a state.

Despite its quieter tone, The Librarianist is not without humor. DeWitt’s signature wit is present throughout the novel, adding a layer of warmth and relatability to Bob’s character. The humor is gentle and often tinged with a sense of melancholy, perfectly complementing the novel’s reflective mood.

The novel’s pacing is measured, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in Bob’s world and the gradual unfolding of his story. DeWitt’s attention to detail and his ability to evoke a strong sense of place make the settings feel vivid and real, whether it’s the cozy confines of a library or the bustling atmosphere of the retirement home.

In conclusion, The Librarianist is a beautifully crafted novel that showcases Patrick deWitt’s skill as a storyteller. Through the life of Bob Comet, deWitt explores themes of solitude, connection, and the quiet dignity of everyday life. The novel’s gentle humor, rich character development, and elegant prose make it a deeply moving and thought-provoking read. For anyone who appreciates stories about the hidden depths of ordinary lives and the transformative power of human connection, The Librarianist is a must-read. DeWitt’s latest work is a testament to the enduring power of empathy and the beauty found in the most unexpected places.

This was a great book! I very much enjoyed it and I look forward to reading the author’s next work! Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy.

FRENCH EXIT is one of my favorite dark comedies, and I loved to se deWitt take on introverts in this newer novel. Although, very, very different from the acerbic tone of FE, I loved this book as well—felt like I was seeing a softer side of the author as he focused on character building. Be warned—it's MUCH slower paced than FE, but maybe it's where I'm at in life right now that it scratched a reading itch for me. Always eager to see what he writes next.

This book hit close to home as it gave me a glimpse into my own retirement plan. I own hundreds of books with the dream of retirement granting time to demolish my TBR. Heartwrenching story.

Author Patrick deWitt captures the work life of a librarian in this funny novel. Any librarian who has worked in a public library will smile when reading about these library personalities. The story of Bob, his love, Connie, and their friend Ethan, is engaging. The plot takes as big turn in several chapters when readers learn of Bob's childhood in the late 1940s with a single mother and his own adventures when, at eleven years old, he ran away from home. Recommended for readers who like quirky characters.

The setting of the novel and its title intrigued me; it’s set in Portland, OR, near where I live and I love books and libraries. Is this a book about books? About loving reading? About libraries?

No, it isn’t. It isn’t about any of that, not at all.

If there is any relation to books at all, it is that the novel is about the chapters that make up the narratives of our lives. Well, Bob Comet’s life, to be specific. Bob is a quiet man, a retired and retiring kind of man, who becomes entangled in the drama and lives of the residents of a kind of retirement home near his own. While there, his interactions with the attendants and residents force him to reconsider the trajectory and decisions of his own life.

In the course of his discoveries about himself, he finds he must witness a direction his life did not take, a love lost and unrecovered.

The Librarianist is a melancholy glimpse into life and its traumas, large and small. This novel makes me think of rain in the Pacific Northwest: ever-present and daily probable, quietly dripping dripping dripping, a small cluster of molecules that is incredibly important to life. Like rain, the quotidian in The Librarianist is vital. The life that unfolds in this novel reminds me of the verdant luxury of green in moss, pine, conifer that emerges after the flush of rain.

Readers who love Stoner by John Williams or Pnin by Vladimir Nabokov will appreciate the life deWitt writes for us.

A retired librarian finds a lost elderly woman, and returns her safely to the nursing home where she lives. He encounters some interesting characters there and begins volunteering to entertain and socialize with the seniors. While we follow our ex-librarian through some adventure and misadventure in this present timeline, we also flash back to periods from his younger life and love.

The premise of this is so endearing and interesting, bound to be full of mischief and mayhem crafted by the somewhat senile or outright eccentric cast! But no…. this is anything but. The prose is dry, the plot is so slow it barely moves, the charming and cheeky characters are few and far between. Overall, I found this so lackluster I would find myself mid-chapter completely unaware of what I had been reading. Now of course, my ability to focus is my own responsibility, but I prefer to have a little more help from the author!

I am sorry to say, I was unable to finish this book. I hate to give up on a book that has been generously given to me, but I have to protect my peace and my happiness. Reading is something I do for the joy of the written word, and there was no joy at all in this, in fact it made me a bit depressed that something with so much promise fell so flat. I don’t mean to be cruel, but I do feel strongly that I was betrayed.

Because I did not finish this book, I will not be sharing my review on my Goodreads account, but I did want to send feedback at least- if only to get this off my chest!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, ECCO, for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for this honest review!!

Stopped @ 50%. Had potential to be really incredible, with deeply moving characters and complex imagery. However, the pace of the story was far too slow and the cast of characters too broad. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advance copy.

Patrick deWitt is a master of deadpan humor, which you'll find in this endearing story about a retired librarian.

There is a tangent early on that was confusing at first, but it all comes together in the end.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t enjoy this one as much as I had hoped. The synopsis beautifully outlines the book; however, it led me to believe it would be more about Bob’s life and career as a book lover and librarian. In fact, only a small portion of the book touches on his career, or more accurately, on his decision to become a librarian.

The book starts on a somber note, and there are too many side characters, which the reader never gets to know as much as I would have liked. Truthfully, most of the characters were odd, and I did not feel a connection to any of them.

I may have DNF this one if I hadn’t received an ARC and felt responsible for leaving a review.

Overall, I had difficulty figuring out what parts of the story the author meant to be funny. Bob recounts several major turning points in his life, but unfortunately, in my opinion, this made the novel feel like disjointed stories, presenting very different tones. I did enjoy the portion of the book where Bob recalls running away from home as a child. It was here that I could appreciate the humor being woven into the story, and it felt very much like a Wes Anderson film. I couldn’t help but wish the rest of the book matched the tone of these few chapters.

On a positive note, I listened to the audio for most of the book, and the narration was very well done.

Thank you, NetGalley and Ecco, for the ARC.

The book "The Librarianist" was an arc, which I appreciate, and was excited to read. All opinions are my own. The plot of the story is of a retired librarian who volunteers at a senior center. It starts off with Bob's experiences at the senior center, then flashes back to him being a kid, and also his marriage. It was a little slow and was hard to follow for my personal taste. But it was still an enjoyable read.

A character driven story about a retired librarian who finds himself volunteering at a senior center at the end of his life. The story is written in past and present fragments of Bob’s life that seem a bit disjointed and irrelevant. Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced reader copy.

People who love books will immediately be drawn to Patrick deWitt’s novel by its title and cover, my favorite of 2023. The cover’s vintage library card will be familiar to readers of a certain age and hints at what you can expect inside: a look back at a gentle introvert’s life story.
Bob Comet reminded me immediately of a Fredrik Backman hero without the hard, curmudgeonly exterior. A retired librarian (still not sure why this was converted to “librarianist” in the title. He loves librarians?), Bob volunteers at a senior center, meets some people with whom he has a connection, and reminisces about his own life history.
Bob is a likable character, but many of his putative friends do him dirty, and his tepid response is a bit unsatisfying. You want Bob to tell someone off, meet a fun-loving senior lady in a convertible, and ride off into the sunset. Sad to say, this kind of resolution is not what we get. If you, like me, are hoping for a Backman-esque ending, you may be disappointed. But Bob’s pluck is endearing, and I find myself thinking about him weeks after I finished the book.

I like books about books and people who love books. While this could seem slow at times, I think I would have loved the audiobook even more. I like the little mystery and the story of our protagonist. Good read from a good author.