The Bookseller’s War

Perth, 1916. When Margaret’s husband is reported missing at the Somme, she finds herself the proprietress of his small bookshop. Three years earlier, their courtship had rescued her from spinsterhood and re-awakened a love of books and reading. But a whirlwind romance hid his darker nature, and she’s relieved to be free of him. Embracing the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the great literary women who came before her, Margaret must learn to write her own story. But will a newspaper article threaten her newfound freedom and her second chance at love? The Bookseller’s War is inspired by some of Australia’s great female authors of the 19th and 20th centuries at a time when WWI gripped the nation, perfect for fans of Pip Williams’ The Dictionary of Lost Words and Tea Cooper’s The Talented Mrs Greenway. PRAISE FOR THE BOOK ‘Set in Perth between 1913 and 1919, The Bookseller’s War reminds us of some of our favourite heroines yet brings a vivid freshness to the coming-of-age tale of Margaret Fairchild. At once a brilliant depiction of the impact of the Great War on ordinary Australian lives and a perceptive insight into the challenges faced by women to find independence and forge creativity, this intelligent, engrossing and moving story is alive with the possibilities of literature and love.’ Josephine Taylor, author of Eye of a Rook ‘Emily Paull is such a talent! She has weaved a riveting tale of longing, ambition, and wifedom in The Bookseller’s War, a novel with all the hallmarks of becoming a great Australian classic. I loved falling deep into bookseller and writer Margaret Fairchild’s world, set against the backdrop of the transformative period of the First World War in Perth. Reading The Bookseller’s War is like pulling on a cosy hand-knitted jumper, drawing the tea and sharing a plate of freshly baked scones with your nearest and dearest. Fans of Pip Williams will adore this one.’ Madeleine Cleary, author of The Butterfly Women ‘A fine, true, wise, living-and-breathing novel – a vastly impressive addition to Australia’s literature.’ Robert Drewe, author of The Drowner ‘Like the perfect cup of tea, The Bookseller’s War is tender, comforting and warming. Paull creates 1910s Perth with a deft hand and a big heart. A true love letter to Australian literary history and writing itself.’ Alli Parker, author of At the Foot of the Cherry Tree Emily Paull Emily Paull is a Western Australian librarian, author and book reviewer. Having formerly worked in bookselling, Emily is an avid reader and a big supporter of the WA writing community who regularly moderates author interviews around Perth. In 2019, her debut collection of short fiction, Well-Behaved Women, was published by Margaret River Press. Her novel The Distance Between Dreams was shortlisted for the 2023 Fogarty Literary Award. When she’s not writing, she can often be found with her nose in a book. Emily Paull is a Western Australian librarian, author and book reviewer. Having formerly worked in bookselling, Emily is an avid reader and a big supporter of the WA writing community who regularly moderates author interviews around Perth. In 2019, her debut collection of short fiction, Well-Behaved Women, was published by Margaret River Press. Her novel The Distance Between Dreams was shortlisted for the 2023 Fogarty Literary Award. When she’s not writing, she can often be found with her nose in a book.