Out of the ashes | 5 July 2012

One of the saddest parts of a bookseller’s job is telling a customer that the book they want is out of print. This book is obviously very dear to them; more often than not they want a duplicate copy to give away to a friend or loved one. The eager, excited look in their eyes turns to disbelief, followed by slow grim acceptance, and then there’s the gradual setting in of mournful gloom. 

Even if I offer to try to track down a second-hand copy, they often still find it hard to come to terms with the fact that this book – so dearly loved by them – wasn’t loved enough by its publishers to keep it in print. Indeed, it’s very sad to think that a book which, over the years, has blossomed in someone’s mind is now – to all intents and purposes – dead to the wider world.