THE STORY COLLECTOR: A Magical Dual Timeline Novel from Internationally Bestselling Author of The Lost Bookshop for 2025

Fantastic (in all meanings of the word) book. Great story and very well told. I particularly loved, though, the way it weaved Irish lore through the pages in a respectful way, not strongly taking sides in whether it is real, not judging either but letting the reader decide. Thought provoking around the loss of a child before they had taken a breath.

The Story Collector & The Hidden Bookshop by Evie Woods I’m on holiday in Greece and I just finished The Story Collector. The funny thing is I remembered I had read The Hidden Bookshop last May also on Holiday. The Story Collector I read in 2 days. It was an easy yet engaging read. Great storytelling. The beginning was a bit like a romcom and it was a bit too easy. We real people don’t tend to land so well on our feet when we do drunk last minute decisions. At near the end for a second there I thought the story would also have a cheesy ending, but it didn’t. The story has real heart. A lovely love story with Ireland and a story of with good endings, albeit not all perfect. Such is life. I do recommend it. The Hidden Bookshop is more magical somehow; also harder. ‘Harder’ doesn’t state much, does it? Suffice to say there is good magic in this story. There are some painful and unfair turn of events. And despite the cards she is dealt, she keeps fighting through and there is some amazing magic that meets her halfway. I would certainly re-read The Hidden Bookshop. It is my favourite of the two. 🥰🏠 and to top it off i live in the birthplace of one of the writers within the story, which is pretty cool. #bookstagram #bookreview #bookreviewer #readmorebooks #readersofinstagram #bookworm #booklove #read #bookrecs #readingtime #thehiddenbookshop #thestorycollector #EvieWoods #onemorechapter #IrishTales #Bookworm

The Story Collector is a delightful, gentle story about the joy of folklore and magic. We have two timelines: the present (set in 2011) when our protoganist Sarah Harper finds herself making a rather impulsive decision to escape the stresses in her life and hide out in Ireland over the Christmas holidays. Arriving without any plans or accommodation, she finds herself in a fictional village near Shannon, and with the assistance of the locals, is soon staying in a traditional cottage called Butlers. While meandering around the locale, Sarah comes across a diary belong to a young girl called Anna, written 100 years earlier. The diary details the visit of an American scholar called Harold Krauss. Krauss has arrived in Ireland to study the mythology/beliefs surrounding fairies or Good People. As Sarah reads about the events from a century earlier and the tragic outcome, she learns to cope with her own past. The Story Collector is a particulary unusual novel, with much of our story spent on learning about the mythology of the Good People and should prove fascinating to anyone with an interest in this topic. The author, Evie Woods has mentioned that her storyline was inspired by an American anthropologist, WY Evans Wentz, who came to Ireland in the early 1900s to complete his thesis on the Celtic Fairy Faith. And indeed, her love of mythology and research shines through. This is a gentle tale that acts as both as a lovestory to Ireland's past and also integrates the mythology into the contemporary storyline. There is a bittersweet ending and some questions are left unanswered, such as how the diary come to be left in the box, but this adds to the overall sense of mystery of the novel, rather than taking from the tale.

I absolutely adored this story that alternates between Ireland in 1911 with Anna in the form of diary entries and present day with Sarah who seems to be at odds with her emotions and the end of her marriage. There is just something about an Irish setting that automatically transports me in my mind. Its almost magical and of course with fairy stories being a big part of the folklore in the area, it just added to the whole atmosphere of the book. In some ways it was lovely to think that fairies could be real but with some of the stories that Harold and Anna uncover, I started to have my doubts at whether it would be a good thing or not for them to really exist. With stories that alternate between two time periods, I usually find that I am drawn more to one than the other and looking forward to certain chapters more than others. This didn’t happen with this book as I loved both just as much. If anything, as it was so highly enjoyable, I seemed to finish it in no time and i wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the characters. The Story Collector is such a beautiful story. I read a lot of books but certain stories have a way of capturing your soul and heart and this book did just that. Evie Woods storytelling had me spellbound at the simplicity of it which held me captive. Honestly, I loved every minute of this book and didn’t want it to end. A tale of grief, loss, love and fairies. If I could give it more than five stars I absolutely would, one of my top reads of 2024!

Absolutely beautiful story full of Irish Fairy folklore and beautifully cozy winter vibes. I loved Anna's narrative, especially the way Woods bridges the chapters reminding us that it is Sarah reading the journal, this really resonated with me as an avid reader, getting cozy with a book, and reminded how easy it is to escape into the words of someone else. Very cleverly done. Evie Woods has a beautiful writing style and does really well bringing historical fiction and modern day together seamlessly, throw in some magic realism, community and a sunny/grumpy romance and you've got the perfect book to curl up with on a cold autumn/winter day. After reading The Lost Bookshop as well I'm really excited to see what's next from Evie Woods!

Another pleasant book by the author. I did like this book better than The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris - I found the historical story kept me engaged and I enjoyed that part of the story the most. As mentioned by someone else, the diary was a narrative rather than a diary entry but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Perfect… wonderful story.

An amazing book,. Writing style is bit different but that is what makes it more interesting

The Story Collector took me to a far away place that I’ve only dreamt about. I was easily drawn in to this mystic realm. I felt there was a deeper connection between the characters in the story than what was revealed, which leaves much to the imagination. I was surprised by the ending because it didn’t answer all of my questions. I want to know so much more, but that’s also the beauty of it all - getting swept away by the unknown. Life is like that. The Story Collector is unlike anything I’ve read before and I’d enjoy getting to know more about those who inspired this interesting and captivating work!

Amazing book. A delight. You're gonna love it!

Tolles Buch