DeWitt’s novels are always original and consistently delightful. He is a must-buy, read-immediately author for me.

The story centers around Bob, the retired librarian with a broken heart. DeWitt crafts an intricate narrative of Bob’s relationships with his wife and his best friend, and the cataclysm that results when these two central figures in Bob’s life connect. Bob’s childhood backstory, however, is somewhat farcical and causes the middle of the story to drag. I wasn’t ever sure of the relevance of Bob’s adolescent escapade, although it’s often repeated that it had a profound effect on Bob.

I enjoyed the first half of the book more than the latter half, although it was still a pleasant read the entire way through. We’re introduced to some amusing and peculiar characters, my favorite being Linus, the resident pragmatic curmudgeon.

Regardless of my misgivings, I still recommend this to fans of DeWitt. If it’s your first foray into his work, however, I would begin instead with <i> Undermajordomo Minor </i>or <i>French Exit</i>.
Many thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the advance copy in exchange for my review.

I guess my final word for this book upon finishing it, is, "What?" The ending left SO MUCH to be desired! I was cruising along, immensely enjoying this story, (although the middle part about the main character running away as a youth was a tad long and not as important to the tale as I hoped) the essence of the story -or what I hoped was the essence- was brushed past so quickly, I was quite disappointed. I kept an eye on the pages I had left and wondered how the author would tie this up in so few pages, and it turns out, they didn't.

Great little story with humor and great little details that all add up to a satisfying story. This author has some talent on display here, and I look forward to his future work.

I really appreciate the free ARC for review!!

Thanks to Netgalley and Ecco for the ebook. I always love the humor and pathos from this author and this new book offers the same. It’s about a retired librarian in Portland, Oregon, named Bob Comet. Bob is living a very simple life when he has a chance encounter with a woman with memory issues that has wandered away from the senior center where she currently lives. Bob returns the woman to her home and Bob decides to give the gift of literature to these seniors with weekly readings from some of his favorite stories. The readings are a disaster, but Bob feels a strong pull towards the residents and decides to volunteer his time as just someone that they can spend time with and talk to. This goes much better, but brings back a flood of memories of Bob’s own history. From the time he ran away as a child, to his magical, but short lived, marriage and to embracing the solitary life that being a librarian gave him. Filled with rich characters and always a great sense of humor.

What a gorgeous novel full of loveable characters and a storyline that I couldn't put down. This one is a must read!

What a nice story. At time I found it a little slow but I continued on. I would recommend this book.

Absolutely delightful! Reminiscent of Fredrik Backman's wonderful elderly characters. I adored these characters - Linus, Jill, June & Ida...even the sheriff. Just a great cast of quirky characters. My heart ached for Bob as I rooted for him.

I loved this book from start to finish. It is such a lovely portrayal of a quiet man getting through life the best he can. There are so many little details that give so much depth to the story, I really found myself reading slowly so I wouldn't miss anything. It is also gives a look at the older population and how they cope with their final years,. It is a beautifully written book that I would highly recommend.

Patrick Dewitt knows how to capture quiet characters and he does it again in his new novel, The Librarianist. Newly retired librarian Bob Comet has lived alone most of his adult life in the same house that he grew up in. He loves books, and even if his life was not exciting, working among them every day was satisfying. Now without the library he finds his days long and unstructured until he wanders into a lost woman who he returns to the local senior center. He begins to volunteer there and finds a place among the awkward community that lives and works there. Dewitt then fills in some of Bob’s backstory with the heartbreak of his young marriage and chapters recounting a strange few days when Bob ran away from home as a child. The Librianist is an interesting book that highlights Dewitt’s odd sense of humor and excellent writing while telling the story of a reserved life and how it became that way.

The story is about Bob Comet. A retired librarian who loved his job, living a simple life surrounded by books, living in the same house he shared with his deceased mother and driving the same car she did. A chance encounter with a lost stranger, seemingly suffering from dementia, leads him to volunteer at an assisted living senior center.In subsequent chapters, we learn of his early life-an awkward introvert without friends who sought refuge in books, one great love that ended in divorce, an extroverted friend exactly opposite in personality who betrayed him,and his one great adventure-running away from home and encountering a hilarious group of characters.
Without giving away too much,in the final chapter Bob, now living in the center surrounded by other strange friends, does something so completely out of character that you will laugh and find touching, and most importantly, you will cheer him on.
I enjoyed the read immensely.

This novel is soft in the most lovely ways. Of course, it’s also brimming with deWitt’s signature wit and humor. Telling the story if this, ordinary person, the reader understands how none of us is ordinary and we’re all bubbling with stories of our humanity. I LOVED thus book and devoured it quickly. Also a-precasted the characterization of aging, with richly drawn characters that are complicated and not depicted in a sentimental way, due to their age.