2016 The Travelling Companion - Ian Rankin(Head Of Zeus)

Hardback not numbered. Has had two stickers removed from the red pages

The Travelling Companion by Ian Rankin is a novella that combines elements of mystery, literary intrigue, and a touch of gothic fiction. It was originally published in 2016 as part of the Bibliomysteries series, a collection of crime novellas inspired by the world of books and libraries.

Plot Summary

The story follows a young Scottish graduate named Ronald Hastie who lands a summer job at the renowned Shakespeare & Company bookstore in Paris. This famous bookstore, known for its literary history, seems like the perfect place for a book lover to spend time. However, Ronald soon finds himself drawn into a darker side of literary obsession.

While working at the bookstore, Ronald becomes fascinated with a mysterious customer named Joseph, who seems to know an unusual amount about the French writer Robert Louis Stevenson, especially the latter’s unpublished or little-known works. Joseph introduces Ronald to the idea that Stevenson had written an unknown, lost manuscript, one that could potentially alter his literary legacy.

This leads Ronald into a deep investigation, scouring Paris’s old haunts and rare book collections. As he gets more involved, the line between reality and fiction starts to blur. His literary quest takes a dark turn as he uncovers unsettling truths about the manuscript and its potentially dangerous allure. Ronald must grapple with the lengths people will go to for a piece of literary history and whether the pursuit of this lost work is worth the risks.

Themes

1. Obsession with Literature: The novella explores how the passion for literature can become an obsession, driving individuals to desperate and sometimes dangerous acts.

2. Literary History and Mystery: Rankin delves into the allure of rare books and the almost mythical status of lost manuscripts. The novella’s setting in Paris, a city known for its literary history, adds a layer of atmosphere and mystique.

3. The Ghosts of the Past: The idea of being haunted by literary giants and their unfinished works runs throughout the story, making it feel almost like a gothic mystery.

Reception

The Travelling Companion has been praised for its tight, atmospheric storytelling. It’s a shorter piece, showcasing Ian Rankin’s ability to weave a compelling narrative even outside the scope of his popular Inspector Rebus series. Readers enjoy the blend of literary history, mystery, and a hint of the supernatural, as well as Rankin’s evocative descriptions of Paris.

Additional Notes

• Setting: The iconic Shakespeare & Company bookstore in Paris is not only a physical location but almost a character itself in the novella, symbolizing the intersection of the literary past and present.

• Connection to Robert Louis Stevenson: Stevenson is a fitting choice for this story given his own history of exploring darker themes, such as in Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. This makes him an apt focus for a mystery involving a potentially lost manuscript.

If you are a fan of bibliomysteries or enjoy stories about literary intrigue, The Travelling Companion offers a quick, atmospheric read filled with suspense and a love for the world of books.