The Bookshop (2017)

Emily Mortimer: Florence Green

Photos 

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Quotes 

• Florence Green : I mustn't let myself worry while there's life, there's hope.

  Edmund Brundish : Oh, God. What a horrifying thought.

• Christine : That Milo is a ferret. He smiles just like a ferret. I wish he'd just go to hell.

  Florence Green : [laughing]  Stop it, Christine!

  Christine : You're too nice. He's a nasty piece of work. When I'm older, I'm gonna try and be like him. It's much more practical.

• Florence Green : "Lo-li-ta."

  Milo North : Mm-hmm.

  Florence Green : Have you read it? Is it any good?

  Milo North : It'll make you rich, Florence.

  Florence Green : Yes, but is it any good? I only stock good novels. They don't move fast enough, you know?

  Milo North : According to Graham Greene, it is a masterpiece.

• Florence Green : Dear Mr. Thornton, a good book is the precious distillation of a master's spirit, embalmed and preserved for the purpose of achieving a life beyond life, which is why it is undoubtedly a necessary commodity.

• Kattie : Milo didn't do you justice when he described you to me.

  Florence Green : Oh, dear. Spare me from Milo's appraisal. I don't think I want to know what he thinks of me.

  Kattie : I still don't know what he thinks of *me*. Or if he feels something for me. Or, for that matter, if he feels anything at all. I guess that's part of his thing. Keeping you guessing all the time. You know what they say: with that kind of man, you'll never know whether he's hiding a rich inner world or... absolutely nothing.

• Florence Green : Don't ever say his name again. And forget mine.

• Florence Green : We met at a bookshop, actually, in London. We were in love from the first moment. We had to organize the - organize and classify the poetry section together. He used to read aloud to me every night. Keats and George Elliot and Thackeray. "Never give a lady a restive horse." We loved that one. We were very happy. Busy doing a million things and nothing. And then the war came.

• Kattie : Mrs. Gamart was very kind. Well, not.

  Milo North : I like kind people - except for Florence.

  Florence Green : Don't flatter me.

• Christine : [looking at Richard Hughes's A High Wind in Jamaica, which Florence has ordered her to read]  What's it about?

  Florence Green : It's about good pirates and evil children.

• Florence Green : What else do people think the old house could be used for? Why have they done nothing about it in the past seven years? There were birds nesting in it. Half the tiles were off the roof and it stank of rats. Wouldn't it be better to fill the place with books for people to look at?

  Mr. Keble : I read before going to sleep, and usually drift off to the Land of Nod by about the third page.

  Florence Green : So you see? Don't you realize how useful books can be?

• Florence Green : Do you not read, Mr. Raven?

  Mr. Raven : [working on this boat]  I don't. Books leave me exhausted.

  Florence Green : [polite chuckle] 

  Mr. Raven : Real life is enough for me.

• Florence Green : [about a book recommendation]  Thank you for suggesting it, I... sometimes feel the need of good advice. feel the need of good advice. You're very kind.

  Milo North : You're always making that mistake.

• Florence Green : You mustn't think I don't want to consider you for the job, its just that you don't really look old enough - or strong enough.

  Christine : That happens after first glance. You look old; but, you don't look strong. Its all the same anyway. We're all available.

• Florence Green : I learned the trade very thoroughly when I was a girl and I don't believe its changed greatly since then. And more importantly, I know - I love reading.

• Edmund Brundish : What do you intend to do?

  Florence Green : Do? Is there anything I can do?

  Edmund Brundish : Yes! - No. Carry on.

  Florence Green : That's what I was going to do.

• Florence Green : I'm afraid red really isn't for me. Well, it doesn't look very good on me from behind; but, perhaps if I stand against the wall most of the time when I'm there. Too - red, don't you think?

• Florence Green : You'd really do that? Really? Come out of your seclusion for me?