The Old Tobacco Shop
A True Account of What Befell a Little Boy in Search of Adventure
The Old Tobacco Shop, published in 1921, is a fantasy for children by William Bowen, subtitled as a true account of what befell a little boy in search of adventure. Sent out to buy tobacco for his father, Freddie stops to stare at the little hunchbacked wooden figure outside the old tobacco shop, and soon finds himself drawn into a world of strange marvels, with the shopkeeper, the old codgers who gather there, a sailor named Lemuel Mizzen and a cast of figures who seem to step out of old stories. Enchantments, an old man of the mountain, a king's tower and a sorcerer's den follow before he comes home. Playful and dreamlike, the book was named a Newbery Honor book. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Old Tobacco Shop
The Old Tobacco Shop by William Bowen can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Old Tobacco Shop online?
Yes. The Old Tobacco Shop opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Old Tobacco Shop free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Old Tobacco Shop is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Old Tobacco Shop in the public domain?
Yes. The Old Tobacco Shop by William Bowen is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Old Tobacco Shop?
About 4 h 30 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Old Tobacco Shop?
The Old Tobacco Shop by William Bowen is filed under "Science Fiction & Fantasy" in the Vinteuil library.
