The Earful Tower: Paris25 Maj 2020

Behind the curtains of Shakespeare and Company

You might know the Shakespeare and Company bookshop from popular films like Midnight in Paris or Before Sunset.

You might know it from your last visit to Paris... You might have even bought a book here.

But what really goes on at the iconic and mysterious Shakespeare and Company?

Is it true that they let writers sleep here for free? (Yes) Is it true they're removing the roof and renovating its insides? (Well, yes and no). And can you get a copy of my new memoir there? (Amazingly, yes!)

Together with Events Manager Adam Biles, I sat down inside the upstairs reading library, which features George Whitman's private collection. Adam has lived in Paris for 15 years and worked at the book store for over three years, and we chatted books, Tumbleweeds, and lockdown.

Here's the chat, and below are some important names and links we mentioned in the show.

Naomi Klein is a Canadian author, social activist, and filmmaker known for her political analyses and criticism of corporate globalization and of capitalism.

John Peter Berger was an English art critic, novelist, painter and poet.

Rachel Cusk is a Canadian-born novelist and writer who lives and works in England.

George Saunders is an American writer of short stories, essays, novellas, children's books, and novels.

Valeria Luiselli is a Mexican author living in the United States.

Louis Sebastian Theroux is a British-American documentary filmmaker, journalist, broadcaster, and author.

Buy the Notre Dame Poetry book Adam mentioned here for €6

https://shakespeareandcompany.com/d/9791096101016/poems-for-notre-dame

Grab my book Paris On Air €20

https://shakespeareandcompany.com/d/9781098301996/paris-on-air

And visit their website here:

https://shakespeareandcompany.com/

Lastly, if you're enjoying The Earful Tower, become a member here and catch my upcoming walks from around the Eiffel Tower: https://www.patreon.com/theearfultower

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