The Idiot, a shameless and tireless promoter of his books and magazines, just took his literary road show to Hay-on-Wye on the England/Wales border.
He not only promoted his “The Idiot and the Odyssey” trilogy of travel narratives but also distributed copies of “The Paris Metro” 50th Anniversary Issue published earlier this month. The current version of the English-language fortnightly publication employed the same writers, format and paper as it did when it took Paris by storm between 1976-79.
Hay-on-Wye — which has far more bookstores than coffee shops, pubs or any other type of retail outlet — is heaven for authors, readers and lovers of non-digital media.
Take a look.
The castle at Hay-on-Wye is only slightly larger than a sign proclaiming the village the “World’s First Book Town.”
Hay-on-Wye was initially declared the world’s first “book town” over fifty years ago.
A bookstore opened by Richard Booth, who launched the book town concept in the 1960s.
A portrait of Richard Booth’s bookshop on the wall in my room at The Old Black Lion inn in Hay-on-Wye.
Gay on Wye is one of many speciality bookshops in town.
An outdoor bookshop in Hay-on-Wye.
The Honesty Bookshop window in Hay-on-Wye.
Bookshop 451 is one of many speciality bookshops in Hay-on-Wye.
“Murder & Mayham is one of many specialty bookshops in Hay-on-Wye.
Two customers discuss “The Idiot and the Odyssey” trilogy of travel narratives in Hay-on-Wye.
One of over thirty bookstores in Hay-on-Wye.
A guide to book sellers in Hay-on-Wye.
Tired of bookstores? Take a nature walk along the Wye River.
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