A few of the books that are ‘Fictional Books about Books’ as the theme, are here below in the photographs. There are dozens upon dozens more to be found too.
On first reading ‘The Neverending Story’ way back when it first came out in 1983, my interest in the books about books theme was tweaked. I gave my original hard cover copy to my daughter who also read it as a child.
On watching the film ‘The Ninth Gate’ it was then that the realisation came in to my mind that the ‘Books about Books’ theme was both a comforting one and an eclectic one too. Probably, when one reads and finds solace in story telling, having a fictional book that has a story that brings ‘books’ to life pushes all the enjoyment buttons. Also, it is an entertaining one too. Eclectic in the storytelling. The Club Dumas by Arturo Perez-Reverte was the book adapted for the film The Ninth Gate. The book has a more complicated story regarding Alexandre Dumas too. The ‘Book Detective’, Lucas Corso is hired to look at a manuscript’s authenticity from Dumas involving the Three Musketeers theme. Played by Johnny Depp as Dean Corso in the film, the script is focused only upon the book ‘The Nine Gates of the Kingdom of Shadows’.
This book is supposedly written in collaboration with Satan himself. In actual fact there are only three books known to be in existence. The Nine Gates are based on woodcuts in the book which, if understood, assist to find the nine doors to hell. This theme runs alongside the Dumas storyline. Both story lines belong to and interweave throughout The Club Dumas.
I was hooked and read both the book and watched the film a number of times. It’s a marmite of a film. You either love it or hate it. The book? It’s a glorious piece of work. Fun, puzzling plots, sinister, action related, antiquarian club claustrophobia, bookshops and of a ragged alcohol driven Bohemian nature.
I’m off to seek more of this fabulous comfort reading choice and truly believe this year will see quite a few various other ‘book theme’ titles read. Needed is to read reviews. Certain titles may be a little too romantic driven. The ones I have read so far have been truly entertaining. A few in the photographs below.
There are many sites on the internet listing suggestions. Here’s a good one to suggest.
My Amazon Review about The Ninth Gate film.
‘I have seen the film and read the book related to the film (the Dumas Club/the Club Dumas – known by both titles). The book’s author, Arturo Perez-Reverte describes his main character Lucas Corso (renamed Dean Corso for the film) with a great precision. Bohemian, world weary, a loner and extremely erudite with elements of Johnny Depp (smoking habit/Bohemian) and you can see elements of Johnny Depps adoption of the character portrayed as Arturo sees him. Usually I see either Johnny Depp seeking his own visual personality for characters that are really ‘Out There’ creating fantastic over the top visual characters such as Willy Wonka/The Mad Hatter/Sweeney Todd/Edward Scissorhands/etc. He also takes on ordinary, real life characters to eccentric roles and still delivers with insight and aplomb. Watching What’s eating Gilbert Grape/The Brave/The Libertine/Donnie Brasco/J. M. Barrie have shown extraordinary performances. This guy must have made about 40 films and a lot of them are really enjoyable. After reading the characterisation in the book of Lucas Corso, then reflecting on Johnny Depp’s performance in this film, leans towards a job that is well done. I really enjoyed his understated performance. Look a little further into the cult status of this film with the fan base for it and you’ll see that the fans seek to decypher the plot and there is a lot of blog analysis on the web regarding the story and content. Interestingly, the use of primary colours, highlighted by someone, made me look out for their inclusions. It adds another dimension to the quirky values. I just enjoyed the film’s wonderful atmosphere and have watched it three times now. I see something new after each watching and can connect to the book with fondness. One plus….the film allowed me to seek out Arturo Perez-Reverte’s work. So no bad thing as the author has some great books to delve into’.
Gray Summers 
After you mentioned The Midnight Library previously when we were chatting, I had to order it – it arrived yesterday and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. Couldn’t put it down last night
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Going to read it starting today or tomorrow. I am dip reading into The Nature Fix presently. So a new novel is easy to read alongside. My memory re: book reading is a very poor one. My ‘Aphantasia’ is a condition that means memories are not easy to adhere to. But it gets that you can revisit areas in your life afresh again. I read all the Harry Potter books again about a year ago for the third time and still got very confused with the films’ and novels’ storyline mismatch. Hope you enjoy the Matt Haig. All the best.
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I’ve not actually read Harry Potter. I’ll get round to it eventually
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My two children, now in their mid 30’s, were avid Potter readers. So I got hooked. I bought the adult book cover versions. So very many adults didn’t want to be seen with the childrens’ book covers. Great marketing hey!
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I think we have copies buried somewhere. I might buy the ebooks. I was also considering a set of Agatha Chrisitie books – treat myself
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I bought the Agatha Christie club series. You can spot them on eBay. Red hard back covers. Haven’t read them for a long time now. Harry Potter is simply pure escapism. Amazing storytelling ability. I read an absolute age ago as to how certain authors could tap into the minds of millions psychologically. Both these authors have achieved it. Cheers.
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Just finished The Midnight Library. I couldn’t put it down, and am inspired by it. I felt it talked to me so much. Definitely worth a read 📚
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I bought the book for my wife who is a fan of Matt Haig books. When reading such ideas at the time for Mindfulness philosophy, Soulcraft, Vision Quest, etc. it was good to apply the inherent messages when teaching Mindfullness to the local community. As a nurse and complementary therapy believer it was awesome to carry a NHS ‘unusual pathway approach’ to assist well being. It was an overload of the Nurse role that allowed ideas like negativity to drop into the mind. Hence retiring and grabbing at the meagre NHS pension built up to get me through to Government pension. Less money but a huge sense of relief. Regrets? I harboured on past regrets when a nurse, but since retiring have blossomed into positivity since leaving that particular profession. Your own teaching and ideas to promote positive learning experiences seems to be so well written in providing energy to everyone in your surroundings. People come with positivity and excitement to education to change themselves too. I suppose an enquiring mind and searching life’s gifts is far better than the odd few, but extremely impactful, past regrets. Thank you for the reply. All the best and hope your purchase of cartridges for your fountain pen are now in place and raring to go.
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Thanks Gray. I managed to get the pen to work with a Parker refill … its a bit wobbly but it works, so I’ll wait til its finished before trying the new ones.
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Sounds like a plan. Parker pens and cartridges? They do ‘snap’ into place with a little gentle downward force on a hard surface like a table top. You have to be confident though! Waterman and Sheaffer cartridges are of a similar length. But not sure if they are exclusive too. Google is a great guide with a simple question re: fountain pens. The pen communities chat about everything! But Parker as generic? Don’t believe they are. Bit like Apple and their exclusive nature. Is there anything you can see on the pen, nib, barrel, cap to indicate make? Older black ones I own? Found little numbers, names, indicators that I never knew were there after owning for months. There are some fabulous pens out there that are not named. Write like a dream. The nib is the huge factor. Cheers and all the best.
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Just noticed your ‘new ones’ at the end and the penny dropped. 😊
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I was told by an Italian pen retailer to try pelickan refills … they seem/look longer
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Just looked on the internet. They are very similar to Parker. It is the pen barrel ability to House the cartridge. Some have metal liners inside, like the Waterman Expert, which will not accommodate international generic cartridges. So specificity means limited choices. Cross pens are similarly limited too.
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The make of the pen is Signum
But my favourites – of my other pens are my Schaeffer and a Waterman … but I’ve not tried as many as you. I like quite thin pens though
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The Signum is not one I have ever heard of. Quick initial internet look shows you have a really good one there! Sheaffer and Waterman I am familiar with. Both are faves. Sheaffer Taranis and Waterman Expert #1 and 2 are great writers. There are a few blog contacts of mine that have fantastic insights into pens. I have a vintage interest mainly. New ones? I don’t really look into or understand them. Thin pens are not my cup of tea usually. I find they start to feel awkward when elongated writing is on the agenda. The Waterman Experts and this restoration Parker Duofold reject are of the perfect comfort size. The Faber Castell Essentio too. Cheers for the reply. Good luck with the Pelikan cartridges. Oh! I have never owned a Pelikan fountain pen. Just a Pelikan Graphos draughtsman pen.
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