Some people argue that in life there are two kinds of people. Those who love books, to whom reading is a part of life. And then there are those who are probably not worth knowing. Personally, I’m a traditionalist. I need to feel the pages and have no interest whatsoever of reading from a screen. The smell, the sleeve, the imperfections. It’s all part of the experience. However, with the rise of Amazon and other online retailers, the days of the independent bookstore look numbered. As for antiquarian booksellers, they’re a dying breed.
The Booksellers tells the story of the few good men (and women) who have dedicated their lives to the discovery, collection and trade of rare and collectable books. As you’d probably expect, they’re a motley crew of eccentrics, idealists and dreamers. D.W. Young’s documentary introduces us to a colourful cast of collectors, auctioneers and writers who all share the same love. Along the way, they celebrate their passion and discuss what lies in store for the industry.
The Booksellers is a lively and engaging documentary which grants us a peek into a mysterious world of obsessives and oddballs who are all connected by their love of books. Whilst the future may be uncertain, Young’s film sounds a note of optimism. The hope that, like vinyl, books will have a renaissance. We’re also afforded a look at some of the rarest books, which is an added bonus. The Booksellers is a fun and playful investigation into a dying art.
The Booksellers is available On Demand from 29 June.
