![Off the shelf](https://cdn.magzter.com/1472106876/1692316581/articles/wDFfh6EuM1692611372496/OFF-THE-SHELF.jpg)
THE LIBRARIANIST, by Patrick deWitt (Bloomsbury, $37)
Bob Comet, the unassuming hero of Patrick deWitt’s sweet, beguiling novel The Librarianist, is a 71-year-old retiree living in Portland, Oregon. The title is a deWitt word, reflecting Bob’s extreme immersion in that most honourable of professions, librarian.
For 45 years, Bob’s unambitious career offered two things: a deep sense of fulfilment and a haven from the world, which he preferred to experience through reading.
In retirement, he has no friends or family. He sincerely believes he is “not unhappy”, but that notion is about to be challenged.
DeWitt introduces us to Bob early one morning in 2005, when he awakes from a recurring dream about a gothic-style hotel he visited as a child. As always, the vividness of the dream jolts him; even more, “the feeling of deep love” it evokes.
Bob sticks to a routine, mainly reading, cooking and maintaining the house inherited from his mother. Most days, he also goes for a long walk, meandering around the neighbourhood as a detached observer.
Today is going to be different. It’s freezing, so he pops into a 7-Eleven for a coffee and spots an elderly woman wearing a pink sweat suit and sunglasses, staring mutely at a wall of drink cabinets. She’s been there for 45 minutes, whispers the worried cashier.
この記事は New Zealand Listener の August 26, September 1 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は New Zealand Listener の August 26, September 1 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
![Spilt milk](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1714759/4ReU38zfL1716983056244/SPILT-MILK.jpg)
Spilt milk
Excess dietary calcium goes into toilets, not bones.
![To the Max](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1714759/oQU8SsWue1716982833911/TO-THE-MAX.jpg)
To the Max
The testosterone and torments of late adolescence are centre stage in this novel about finding your place in life.
![A chemical killer](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1714759/nJhLiCvOD1716981211626/A-CHEMICAL-KILLER.jpg)
A chemical killer
A new book outlines the life of a woman who may well have been New Zealand’s most prolific poisoner. What was it that led police to exhume the body of her husband from its watery grave?
![Creating the WOW factor](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1714759/z5FsDfJ0z1716980507538/CREATING-THE-WOW-FACTOR.jpg)
Creating the WOW factor
Meg Williams, in charge of the biggest festival involving a bunch of people wearing wacky outfits, admits she's not very flamboyant in her own dressing.
![Leaving it all on the park](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1714759/UHsg8L43N1716980165909/LEAVING-IT-ALL-ON-THE-PARK.jpg)
Leaving it all on the park
After cancer treatment, Graeme Downes takes stock of a musical life leading The Verlaines and lecturing future generations of songwriters.
![Wrong message](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1714759/PslS63vR81716979828778/WRONG-MESSAGE.jpg)
Wrong message
A UK journalist who came here to talk about Rwanda’s authoritarian regime found herself the victim of a social media hate campaign.
![Busting a gut](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1714759/0qmHxFduM1716979276816/BUSTING-A-GUT.jpg)
Busting a gut
IBD is escalating, seemingly thanks to the Western lifestyle, and New Zealand has one of the highest rates in the world.
![The point of Peters](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1714759/E506lgYuP1716978771214/THE-POINT-OF-PETERS.jpg)
The point of Peters
There's been much to admire about the NZ First leader's politics over the years, but where has it got him?
![Don't call us ...](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1714759/ZNvDlPvSS1716978651256/DONT-CALL-US-.jpg)
Don't call us ...
Finland's ingenuity galvanised the rapid global uptake of cellphones, so it's paradoxical the country's latest claim to fame should be the elevation of no-speakies to a new commercial opportunity.
![He is here](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1714759/xbsl_P8KF1716978196509/HE-IS-HERE.jpg)
He is here
In the week my brother died, there was a storm in the universe.