The Bookman's Tale

By Charlie Lovett,

Book cover of The Bookman's Tale: A Novel of Obsession

Book description

A mysterious portrait ignites an antiquarian bookseller's search through time and the works of Shakespeare for his lost love. Charlie Lovett's new book, The Lost Book of the Grail, is now available.

Guaranteed to capture the hearts of everyone who truly loves books, The Bookman's Tale is a former bookseller's…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

1 author picked The Bookman's Tale as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Antiquarian Charlie Lovett’s The Bookman’s Tale is informed by his expertise. TBT is a paean to books, their production, archival, transmission, forgery. This book should appeal to readers who love books. The story of Peter, a present-day apprentice rare books dealer, alternates with that of Bartholomew Harbottle, a crooked Elizabethan book dealer, a friend of William Shakespeare. 

The book follows a Shakespearean document as it passes from hand to hand over time. At first, the document appears real. Then forged. Then partially forged. Then perhaps real. Then a perfect copy shows up. Which one is real? Which one is fake?…

From Theodore's list on fiction set in the 16th century.

Want books like The Bookman's Tale?

Our community of 10,000+ authors has personally recommended 98 books like The Bookman's Tale.

Browse books like The Bookman's Tale

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in ghost story, bookstores, and William Shakespeare?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about ghost story, bookstores, and William Shakespeare.

Ghost Story Explore 149 books about ghost story
Bookstores Explore 30 books about bookstores
William Shakespeare Explore 178 books about William Shakespeare