In a Book-Shop by Joyce Kilmer
The poem describes a serene and peaceful atmosphere of a bookstore, where the speaker finds solace and comfort among the shelves of books. The store is filled with the musty smell of old pages and the soft glow of lamplight, creating an intimate setting that invites contemplation and quiet reflection. The speaker's voice is calm and soothing as they describe the experience of being surrounded by words and ideas, evoking a sense of timelessness and eternity.
By Joyce Kilmer · First published 1918 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Literary Fiction · 180 words
First lines
All day I serve among the volumes telling / Old tales of love and war and high romance; / Good company, God wot, is in them dwelling, / Brave knights who dared to scorn untoward chance.
King Arthur -- Sidney -- Copperfield -- the daring / And friendly souls of Meredith's bright page -- / The Pilgrim on his darksome journey faring, / And Shakespeare's heroes, great in love and rage.
Fair ladies, too -- here Beatricè smiling, / Through hell leads Dante to the happy stars; / And Heloise, the cruel guards beguiling, / With Abelard makes mock of convent bars.
What this Textopian page supports
In a Book-Shop is listed on Textopian as a short story by Joyce Kilmer, dated 1918 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Joyce Kilmer
- Date: 1918 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Literary Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
- Length: 180 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for In a Book-Shop by Joyce Kilmer
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhythm and meter typical of poetry.
- Romance — Themes of love and romantic relationships are central to the narrative.
- Literary Fiction — The text reflects on literary themes and characters, engaging with classic literature.
- Fantasy — References to legendary figures and mythical elements suggest a fantastical aspect.
Tags
Literary Fiction · Short Story Collection · American Literature · 20th Century Literature · Poetic Prose · Whimsical · Humorous · Satirical · Social Commentary · Bookstore Setting · Quirky Characters · Wordplay