Years ahead of becoming the bestselling author and fantasy legend that he is today, Garth Nix visited London in 1983 at the formative age of 19. “It was during this time that I decided I wanted to try to become a writer,” writes Nix at the end of his fantasy adventure The Left-Handed Booksellers of London.
Set in a slightly alternate London in 1983, the multiple-award-winning novel tells the story of 18-year-old art student Susan, who travels from Bath to London in search of her father, whom she has never met and knows very little about.
While on this quest, Susan encounters an extended family of magical fighting booksellers who police the mythical and legendary Old World when it intrudes on the modern world. Among these are young, dashing and left-handed Merlin and his intellectual, composed and right-handed sister Vivien.
The siblings are determined to find out who or what is behind the death of their mother, but their investigation overlaps with Susan’s in intriguing ways. They soon realise Susan is the target of a series of powerful yet mysterious attacks by mortal and supernatural beings, and have to enlist the help of other booksellers to protect her.
All booksellers in this story have their differing strengths and gifts. In addition to collecting, restoring, conserving and selling books, their magical powers reach across time and dimension, with the left-handed in charge of fighting, the right-handed researching and strategising, and the even-handed being the most distinguished and knowledgeable.
These unique characters enrich the story and make for a delightfully beguiling read. One of the most memorable bits about the booksellers is that when they are upset, they need to read quietly, or write poems. For example, upon hearing the news of a colleague’s death, one bookseller “went and made a kind of pyramid out of Dickens and Trollope second or later editions – he didn’t disturb the firsts – climbed in, and has refused to talk or come out”.
Meanwhile, the numerous creatures and entities drawn from British folklore, legends and myths give the novel a distinct Tolkien and even Pratchett vibe. Not only are the Gog and Mogog at the southern entrance of Melbourne’s Royal Arcade mentioned, but the sweetly chaotic array of events remind readers of some of the great Doctor Who episodes. This reviewer particularly enjoys exploring all the books, authors, poems and art works discussed among the booksellers.
Garth Nix will be part of the “Hypothetically Speaking…” speculative fiction panel at the 2026 Dandenong Ranges Literary Festival, along with Karen Comer, Jane Rawson and Rose Michael. He will also join contemporary writer and poet Declan Fry for a conversation on his latest book Massif. Find more details HERE.
Note: This book review was originally titled “Sweetly chaotic urban fantasy” and published under the title “Sweetly chaotic fantasy” by Ranges Trader Star Mail, September 22, 2026, P.18.
