Wouldn’t it be quaint if every bookshop was like the infamous Black Books? Crammed with titles, and history and dust and stories?
Sydney bookseller Bob Gould is far pleasanter than Bernard, but Gould’s Book Arcade on King Street, Newtown is a literary monument not even Black could match.
We chatted to Bob about his 43 odd years of bookselling, what’s changed – and what hasn’t.
He even treated us to a reading of Brook Emery’s poem about his store (at 4:45).
Check it out (you may need to crank the volume for the dialogue):
– DF
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What a great guy. I first met Bob when he had his book store in George St Sydney (near the Hoyts Cinema but opposite, slightly down the road ). I was a curious 15 year old kid at the time. Upon discovering his shop by accident (or fate), I thought I had stumbled upon an an Aladdin’s Cave …. & selling some great books in my very limited price range too. Regrettably, me at 15, I was at that stage where I was too shy to engage Bob in conversation (more is the pity). I do however confess (yes I am Catholic), that I did eavesdrop on several conversations Bob had with some of his customers. At 15, I recollect that Bob’s views on most matters were very different from those of my father & indeed, my teachers…HOW REFRESHING ! Well, roll on the years & I ended up meeting a very engaging & interesting lady called Jenny. To cut a long story short, Jenny was Bob’s partner & I was privileged to meet Bob at a lovely lunch at the Malaya restaurant in Sydney. Vale Bob.
Hi Ian, what great memories! I only had the pleasure of meeting Bob the one time, but what an impression he made on me! Such a character, such an interesting person and such an interesting life. I feel privileged that I got the chance to speak to and interview him and experience the institution that was Gould’s Book Arcade. Thanks for the comment!
~DF