Wow, this is so cool! I'm now adding this to the list of places i want to visit someday. (its only been this year that i started liking the idea of traveling, and all the places have to do with books or nature. Like the book museum in Las Vegas! Thats seriously the only reason i would go to Las Vegas)
Btw this is the second Narnia inspired bookstore I've heard of. The other one is the Dawn Treader Bookshop in Ann Arbor Michigan. Would love to see that one too. And I guess Lewis was quoted for saying 'That part of Rostrevor which overlooks Carlingford Lough is my idea of Narnia.' there was a lion statue erected at that place for awhile because of it, but i don't know it its still there.
This is great! I had a similar dream many years ago, with Dickens in mind, to buy this old abandoned stone hotel in our town and open a bookstore called Fezziwigs. Life got in the way for me, but I can’t wait to see how your dream unfolds…
I love the Chronicles of Narnia! And how wonderful that is the place you are going to live and have your bookshop! With what's going on in the world right now, I was recently rereading The Last Battle, and there are so many parallels... I hope you can think of the more glorious days of Narnia, with Kings and Queens 🪻
On a stone wall in Narni there’s a plaque with the quote (in Italian): “once a king or queen in Narnia, always a king or queen.” There’s a kind of timelessness to the city, much like the books.
If you will send me an address I'll donate a copy of A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and A Great War to your library. This book, authored by Dr. Joseph Loconte, captures how the combat experiences of WW I helped to shape both CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien. We would not have The Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia if it were not for the trenches of WW I. My email is John65Bishop@gmail.com.
That's beautiful! i like to think that CS Lewis is watching from heaven, so proud of what you're doing.
Oh, this comment made my day. I so hope he would be proud!
i'm sure he would :)
Love this story of an adventure in the real life Narni(a)!
Hopefully the first of many. :)
You know we will all want to come to Narnie too Sarah after reading this beautiful story.
I imagine all of us there talking books some day.
Oh I so want that to happen Sarah.
As a lifelong C.S. Lewis fan, I had never heard of this inspiration for Narnia. Thanks for sharing! Hope the bookshop opening goes well!
Thanks for the good wishes, and thanks for reading.
Will have to come visit the Wardrobe when you’ve got it finished!
What a marvellous story! I feel like your adventure is itself rather like stepping through the wardrobe. I wish you every success.
That’s exactly how I feel too.
Wow, this is so cool! I'm now adding this to the list of places i want to visit someday. (its only been this year that i started liking the idea of traveling, and all the places have to do with books or nature. Like the book museum in Las Vegas! Thats seriously the only reason i would go to Las Vegas)
Btw this is the second Narnia inspired bookstore I've heard of. The other one is the Dawn Treader Bookshop in Ann Arbor Michigan. Would love to see that one too. And I guess Lewis was quoted for saying 'That part of Rostrevor which overlooks Carlingford Lough is my idea of Narnia.' there was a lion statue erected at that place for awhile because of it, but i don't know it its still there.
Thank you for telling me about the other Narnia bookshop! I will absolutely look them up.
Of course! We Narnians have to stick together.
I love this story! I’ve always wanted to visit Italy. Keep us posted. I’d love to visit your bookstore. Dream BIG!
I’ll look forward to seeing you there!
This is great! I had a similar dream many years ago, with Dickens in mind, to buy this old abandoned stone hotel in our town and open a bookstore called Fezziwigs. Life got in the way for me, but I can’t wait to see how your dream unfolds…
I LOVE that idea, and there’s no better name. Maybe it will still happen someday!
Love this story! I wish you the best of luck! Would love to see the transformation of everything also! Good luck!
Thanks for reading!
I want to go! Narnia was a household staple growing up (and still is). Great job chasing after your dream!
Thank you!
I love the Chronicles of Narnia! And how wonderful that is the place you are going to live and have your bookshop! With what's going on in the world right now, I was recently rereading The Last Battle, and there are so many parallels... I hope you can think of the more glorious days of Narnia, with Kings and Queens 🪻
On a stone wall in Narni there’s a plaque with the quote (in Italian): “once a king or queen in Narnia, always a king or queen.” There’s a kind of timelessness to the city, much like the books.
Would you please write the quote in Italian.
Of course!
"Quando si è re o regina di Narnia, si è sempre re o regina!"
You can see a photo of the charming wooden sign (with yours truly in front of it eating a truly excellent gelato) if you scroll almost to the end of this post: https://escapetothebookshop.substack.com/p/when-dreams-start-coming-true
If you will send me an address I'll donate a copy of A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and A Great War to your library. This book, authored by Dr. Joseph Loconte, captures how the combat experiences of WW I helped to shape both CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien. We would not have The Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia if it were not for the trenches of WW I. My email is John65Bishop@gmail.com.
Aslan is on the move!
You’re so kind. That sounds like a fascinating book.
Could you please share the author of "A Great War"? I googled it and two different ones called "The Great War" came up (Peter Hart, Les Carlyon).
The title is: A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and A Great War.
The author is Dr. Joseph Loconte, Ph.D.
Oh I'm sorry for mis-reading your comment. Thank you for clarifying, I really appreciate it.
Aaand I’m emotional🥹
There’s no better compliment for a writer. ❤️
Wow. This is amazingly beautiful. Well done!! And I can’t wait to visit someday.
I’ll look forward to seeing you there.
This is so lovely. Waiting patiently for when you open the bookshop
I’ll be happy to welcome you there someday.
What an amazing adventure! I definitely want to follow as you proceed.
Happy to have you along for the adventure!