Spotlight on Bookstores: *Foyles* in London

Today’s Spotlight on Bookstores post is submitted by Rob, a reader in Manhattan.  The flagship Foyles store has stood on Charring Cross Road since 1906, three years after it was founded by brothers William and Gilbert Foyle.  The story is that they were so disappointed about failing their Civil Service exams that they decided to sell their textbooks.  So great was the response, the brothers were inspired to open an entire store devoted to books.  I’m not sure how much of this Foyles legend has been embellished, but it sure is a great story!

Read further for Rob’s anecdote about a mysterious and prescient bookseller at this landmark bookstore:

My favorite indie bookstore is Foyles in London. My old job took me to London a few times per year and I always tried to find a hotel near Foyles so I would have time to go there more than once. On one trip I was hoping to find some British writers of dark humor and social satire.  I made my way to the shop and straight to the help desk. The girl there paged “Neil.” A 6’5” gently menacing man appeared and started to quiz me:

“What do you think about Matthew Thomas?”

“Hilarious. Excellent at overstatement,” I said.

“Right. How about Iain Banks?”

“Great writer, but too much science fiction for me.”

For the first time he cracked a smile and said, “Come!”

His walking speed was about twice mine – so he walked and I jogged. We went around the store and he occasionally pulled a book off the shelf and tossed it over his head. I caught most of them. When he stopped I examined each of the books and they seemed to be just what I was looking for. I started to thank him but he turned and walked away.