Genre - Literary Fiction

We are taught from elementary school not to judge books by their covers. I often encouraged my students towards books I knew they’d like even thought the cover was dated. But I literally checked out The Librarianist by Patrick deWitt because of its cover. I was working at a library fundraiser, and the book was on display. How could a retired librarian resist?

The story of retired librarianist Bob Comet was … I am struggling with the word, so perhaps complex will suffice. DeWitt starts the narrative after Bob’s retirement as Bob stumbles on a purpose with a local center for the elderly. The details of his childhood, youth, and young adulthood are filled in as flashbacks. He finds adventure when he runs way as an 11 year old and experiences an interesting couple of days with traveling actors at a hotel along the shore. I may have to read it again to process the particular interlude. He finds solace in reading throughout his life. He finds and loses at least one friend and one lover.

I had to google “librarianist.” Even with an MSLS and 20+ years in the field, the term was new to me. Aaron Kreuter notes, “As the obscure word ‘librarianist’...suggests, working in a library can be more than just a job. It can be something of an art, a calling” (https://reviewcanada.ca/magazine/2023/10/inside-voices/). The joy of the book for me is that Bob found this calling. In spite of what appears to be a sad childhood in which he is fairly neglected, he finds reading and an education and a mentor and a job. The sadness of the book for me was the inevitability of the implosion of his relationships with Ethan and Connie. The redemption, I guess, is Bob’s renewed sense of purpose when he discovers the center for the elderly and finds a role there. The twist is that he finds one rather big surprise as well. Bob’s character development is thorough. If you don’t love a character driven book, this may not be the best choice. If you do, (and I do) de Witt provides us with a fascinating, sometimes frustrating man. Some of what I'd like to discuss will provide spoilers, and I hate to do that. Suffice it to say that the novel has what my former AP kids would have called a “literature” ending. (ie I didn’t necessarily get the kind of resolution that I hoped for. ) As I look at what I’ve learned to guide me in the newly retired part of my life, it is this. Bob ultimately makes peace with his life - even the most devastating parts. He continues to live in a way that works for him. He remains open to new experiences, even. He has good boundaries in the end (that prevent me from getting the ending I want). Even as a child, when for a moment, Bob seems to be living his best life ever, he accepts that the experience has ended with equanimity and seems to just move on. I struggle with making peace and I can learn from Bob’s acceptance. Like Bob, I have a bit more time to think and to reflect. I hope I do it as well has he does.