The original Shakespeare and Company in Paris was opened in 1919 by American bookseller, Sylvia Beach, pictured above, at 8 rue Dpuytren. It moved a couple of years later to rue de l’Odéon, and it was here, in 1922, that Sylvia published James Joyce’s book, Ulysses, when nobody else would touch it.
Her bookstore was a haven for the Lost Generation of writers, and you’d often find literary greats such as Gertrude Stein, F. Scott Fitzgerald, T.S Elliot and Ernest Hemingway, to name but a few, hanging out there regularly.
Just the thought of being there at that time in Paris has me going off into rapturous daydreams. I truly believe I was born in the wrong decade.
Unfortunately, during the Nazi occupation of Paris in 1941, Sylvia shut up shop and never reopened. However, all was not lost. In 1951, George Whitman took up the mantle, opening a new shop on Rue de la Bûcherie, with Sylvia’s blessing. She referred to it as the “spiritual successor” to her own.
In the context of "Shakespeare and Company," the "and" signifies a partnership or connection between the literary figure, William Shakespeare, and the bookstore's identity, which is a place that celebrates literature and culture. Here's a more detailed explanation:
Shakespeare:
The name "Shakespeare" refers to the renowned English playwright and poet, William Shakespeare, whose works are a cornerstone of English literature. Company:
The word "Company" in this context can be interpreted in a few ways:- Literary Community: It evokes a sense of a community of writers, readers, and intellectuals, much like the original Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris, which was a haven for writers like Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and James Joyce.
- Bookstore Identity: It suggests a place that is not just a bookstore, but a place that embodies the spirit of Shakespeare and the literary world, a "novel in three words" as George Whitman described it.
- Historical Significance: The name also pays homage to the original Shakespeare and Company bookstore founded by Sylvia Beach in 1919, which was a gathering place for writers and intellectuals.
The Connection:
The "and" connects Shakespeare's legacy with the bookstore's identity, creating a name that is both evocative and meaningful, reflecting the bookstore's purpose and the literary world it embraces.
Shakespeare and Company (bookstore) - Wikipedia
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