Review: A satisfying novel in a few short pages
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 29, 2014
John Connolly is best known for his Charlie Parker series which, from book reviews, always seemed too violent for my tastes.  In addition, I recently had a frustrating experience with another "short" so I was a little hesitant about getting "The Museum of Literary Souls".  But the book description was so interesting that I couldn't resist and now I am so happy that I have this.What a small treasure.  Connolly's story of the ultimate book lover and a book lover's paradise is a pleasure from beginning to end.  To call this a short story really doesn't do it justice.  He has managed to create a complete, satisfying novel in 17 very short chapters (on the kindle fire HD the book is actually over 100 pages).  In the first chapter alone Connolly provides a satisfying background for the protagonist that most authors couldn't have accomplished in the space of the entire book.  And the prose loses nothing in the conciseness of the writing.  I've been reading a lot of late Victorian/ early 20th century books of late and Connolly's prose has much of the same rhythm and charm.Could this have been an entertaining longer book?  Sure.  More iconic characters and details about them, more "adventures".  That might have pushed me from a strong "like it" to a "love it"; but, I don't feel short changed in any way with it just as it is.I probably still won't read the Charlie Parker novels but for the first time in a long time I'm actually excited about an author and will definitely be getting others.  Starting with his Samuel Johnson novels I think....