You may have seen Ruth Shaw on television, or read about her in one of a number of newspapers, including The Guardian.
Everyone is charmed by the story of an incredible woman whose memoir, The Bookseller at the End of the World, is a literary weave of stories of the characters who visit her wee bookshops in Manapouri, musings about her favourite books, and bittersweet satires from her full and varied life.
You are invited to an evening of enjoyment, entertainment and laughter in which Ruth will share her stories of high adventure, trauma, incredible sadness, times of desperation and chaos, as well as amazing highs.
Throughout her lifetime, she has always had a love of books. Ruth tried to retire, but instead she runs three bookshops.
This is much more than just a bookseller memoir. Ruth has led one of those extraordinary lives. She has sailed extensively through the Pacific and the South China Sea, being held up by pirates, worked in Sydney’s Kings Cross with drug addicts and prostitutes, campaigned on numerous environmental issues, and owned and operated the yacht ‘Breaksea Girl’ with her husband, Lance.
Underlining all Ruth’s wanderings and adventures are some very deep losses and long-held pain. Balancing that out is her beautiful love story with Lance, and her delightful sense of humour.
Shaun Bythell, bookseller and author of The Diary of a Bookseller describes the book as “an extraordinary story… illegal gambling, pirates and numerous personal tragedies, all punctuated by warm stories from her bookshops and an ultimately resolved love story. It makes my life look pretty dull”.
And your inner self will not be forgotten. Your $15 ticket is a bargain, as it includes a beverage or two with nibbles.
The event is at St Andrew’s Hall, Blyth Street Cromwell commencing at 7.30pm on Wednesday 15 June.
