Time Was Soft There by Jeremy Mercer is a captivating memoir set in the heart of Paris’s Left Bank, at the legendary Shakespeare & Co. bookstore. Fleeing from trouble in Canada, Mercer finds himself drawn into the bohemian world of this unique literary haven where struggling writers and eccentrics live among the bookshelves in exchange for work. Through vibrant, heartfelt stories, Mercer reveals the colorful characters who inhabit the store—poets, artists, and dreamers—and the daily dramas, friendships, and romances that unfold within its walls.
Celebrated for its vivid portrayal of a timeless Parisian literary sanctuary, Time Was Soft There captures the magic and camaraderie of Shakespeare & Co., led by its enigmatic owner George Whitman. This memoir invites readers into a lost world where books are not just objects but the very fabric of community and survival.
Perfect for lovers of literary memoirs, Parisian culture, and stories of unconventional friendship, Time Was Soft There is a nostalgic journey into the heart of a beloved bookshop and the lives it touched.
