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The Shop Before Life Paperback – October 28, 2019

by Neil Hughes (Author)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 206 ratings
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After two happy centuries in the prelife, Faythe is battling the most dangerous human emotion. She's bored.

But when she accepts a once-in-a-prelifetime opportunity to become Apprentice at the magical Shop Before Life, her days become dreadfully interesting.

Now she helps customers with the most important choice they'll ever make: who to become in the afterprelife--or "life", for short. Will they be born on Earth with MATHEMATICAL GIFTS? Or perhaps they'd prefer DELIGHTED BY CATS?

But Faythe has questions of her own. Like--what exactly is in these jars of human traits? And who is the mysterious Supplier who creates them?

Unfortunately, these questions could awaken an ancient conflict and even destroy the Shop itself. They should maybe mention that sort of thing during orientation.

Management are going to be furious, but their divine punishment must wait. Right now, Faythe needs to discover the secrets of the Shop in order to save it.

If she fails, nobody will become themselves ever again . . .

_____

This unique, magical and funny fantasy explores the mystical world of the prelife, and asks questions about who we are - and why. Where do our personalities come from? How do we grow and change? And just what does a jar of personal growth look like?!

_____

PRAISE FOR THE SHOP BEFORE LIFE

"One of those books that will stay with me for a while, if not for the rest of my life. There's something so unique and real about it and I felt very connected to the themes it presented." - Book review at 'My Mind Speaks Aloud'

"Equally mischievous and sincere, The Shop Before Life is a witty, whimsical ride that squares off against some of the biggest existential questions around." - Sienna Tristen, author of The Heretic's Guide to Homecoming
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  1. Print length
    340 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    October 28, 2019
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.77 x 8.5 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0993166849
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0993166846
  7. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
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Editorial Reviews

Review

5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Original, delightful, and humorous, The Shop Before Life is a breath of fresh air... a unique story that is captivating, enjoyable, quirky, and fun. - Reader's Favorite

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Enthusiastic Whim (October 28, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 340 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0993166849
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0993166846
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.77 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 206 ratings

About the author

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Neil Hughes

Neil Hughes

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Neil Hughes finds it difficult to describe himself, especially in the third person. He has spent time as a comedian, writer, computer programmer, travelling speaker, physicist and mental health campaigner, and now he's pretty tired and trying not to worry too much about everything.

After many years living all over the place, he has returned to the north-west of England where he does various things that help people to be happy. He wishes there was a way to say this without sounding so painfully cheesy.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
206 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

R. Matt
5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE this book! Harry Potter fans rejoice, the excitement is BACK!
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2019
Verified Purchase
I remember clearly watching a morning news show in the U.S. in the late 1990s. The excited news anchor was hyping up a hot new fiction book in the UK that was all the rage among teens and young adults (of course the now infamous “Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone”). My family was part of the loyal first wave of Harry Potter fans in the U.S. and eagerly devoured each new release.

Unfortunately, the fame of the book seemed to overcast all other competing magical books. The Harry Potter crowd was left hungry and wanting more. I think we finally have that next magical book we’ve been waiting for.

“The Shop Before Life” has that sparkle, an utterly unique storyline, and clever thoughts to fill our heads. Faythe, the main character, finds herself in the most magical place in the “Prelife” – the Shop Before Life. If it sounds alluring, it is. Author Neil Hughes doesn’t disappoint. This is not a spinoff or copycat book - this is the real deal, the next big runaway success in young adult fantasy fiction that crosses over age lines to the delight of everyone.

My favorite part of the book was that everything is from a fresh perspective, not old ideas revisited. Mr. Hughes has an engaging and witty writing style that will leave you waiting for more. I found myself thinking about the plot, wanting to get back to it and guessing how it might end. There are villains, conflicts, disappointments, and big surprises. It was the best book I’ve read in a long time!

If you enjoyed the Harry Potter books, Percy Jackson, and other magical fiction, this book will appeal to you.
11 people found this helpful
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Randy Thill
4.0 out of 5 stars And while you're at it...Save the world!
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2021
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Many times I thought I was too old to read this book, but in spite of the younger characters, I just couldn't put it down! Every night I read, though, I found wisdom that made my heart smile and an adventure that was so unique that I just kept on reading til I found myself setting the afternoon aside to read the final chapters! It's a story, but it clicks in the brain as life. Find out about prelife and life and earth and the gods and the folks who keep The Shop Before Life going...in spite of all those secrets! Never too old to enjoy this one!
2 people found this helpful
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escoocoo
5.0 out of 5 stars LOVED IT!! 😘
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2021
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This is a great little story! Very unique and original. A lot to wrap my mind around at times because the author stretches and molds reality into something quite unlike how I am used to looking at the world.

I really loved the concept of a “Prelife” existing out there somewhere, especially just like the one that exists in the story. Many fascinating facets that are so delightful, from the Shopkeeper, to the Children, to the “Management”, as well as the shop itself where all the “pre-lifers” go to fill their baskets with the mysterious traits before moving through the tunnel that leads them to Earth to begin their “real life”.

All utterly delightful!! ☺️
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LaShae D.
4.0 out of 5 stars When you have Faythe ...
Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2019
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If you’ve ever imagined what life before the life of being born on Earth might look like, read this book.

If you can’t even imagine what that looks like really read this book.

Sure it’s fictional and may or may not hold some long held not so secret secrets. I don’t remember and yet I’ve not met anyone who remembers the prelife either.

So really what do I know of it’s trueness?

Still it may just remind you that human is human no matter what state of life you’re living. Have faith or rather Faythe that you know what to do and you’re brave no matter what’s happening.
4 people found this helpful
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Sumayyah Talibah
3.0 out of 5 stars Never Meet Your Heroes - Or Gods
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2021
Faythe has enjoyed a lovely 200 years in the pre life, but is now, as humans get, bored. She leaves her companions behind, and begins walking The Road in order to get to The Shop, the magical place where people choose traits to with them to Earth when they're born. On the way, she is accosted by 2 men who claim to "represent Management" and pressed into a 1,000 contract as Apprentice to The Shop. There, Faythe must learn the do's and don'ts of Customer Service, as well as thwart what appears to be a TERRIBLE plan that could change the prelife forever.
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Hricko
5.0 out of 5 stars Not my usual genre
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2021
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This book is not my usual genre but it was a nice change and break from vampires, werewolves, dystopian and others. I couldn't stop reading and couldn't put it down even in my unusual reading time. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I think you will too!
2 people found this helpful
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Dennis Stevenson
4.0 out of 5 stars Slow but interesting
Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2021
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I almost gave up midway through. In the long run, the story was worth it. There is eventually mayhem. But the brains of the outfit is the Gardener.
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LibraryLisa
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, quirky story
Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2021
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This was right up my alley, as I loved Monty Python’s Meaning of life and many other witty and irreverent books by British authors. The author has a marvelous perception about pre-life (ha!) and definitely life. I loved every bit of this book. Keep writing!
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Top reviews from other countries

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William
5.0 out of 5 stars Muito bom!
Reviewed in Brazil on April 20, 2020
Verified Purchase
Livro de rápida leitura, mas muito bom. O livro conta como seria uma "pré-vida" na qual podemos escolher as personalidades que carregamos ao nascer. Adorei todos os personagens! A escrita é bem cativante e gostosa de se aproveitar. 10/10!
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Nicholas Lees
5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful Comic Fantasy
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 12, 2019
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The Shop Before Life is a classic 'What If?' tale, imagining the consequences of the existence of the opposite of the afterlife: a pre-life in which individuals exist before being born on Earth. As you might imagine, for some in the pre-life, existential questions such as 'who am I?' and 'what might I become?' loom pretty large. At the Shop Before Life, the yet-to-be-born can shape their future selves by choosing attributes that they would like to possess during their Earthly existence - although few know anything about life on Earth or, indeed, how the different pieces of the multiverse all fit together. Few seem to care, except the protagonist, Faythe, who allows her curiosity to take her to the Shop and sets her on a series of adventures that reveal the dangers and secrets that lurk in the pre-life...
At its heart, The Shop Before Life is a warm, witty, humanistic coming of age story. Fans of comic fantasy authors such as Tom Holt and Terry Pratchett will enjoy the witty asides and the whimsical setting. I can see the book appealing to readers of young adult fiction, due to the empowering character arc and sense of wonder the story features. The plot moves briskly and the prose never drags, with some good cliffhangers and twists along the way. Hughes must have picked up a jar of 'Witty Writer' and 'Amusing Storyteller' when he passed through the Shop.
4 people found this helpful
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konarciq
4.0 out of 5 stars What traits did you pick from the Shop Before Life?
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 8, 2019
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I stumbled upon a mention of this book in one of my favourite blogs, and checking it out, the premise instantly piqued my interest. I read through the book in one go, and enjoyed it very much. It's kind of a quest tale, in that we follow the development of the protagonist's character throughout a varied set of problems she encounters. The classical quest tale however is riddled with inventive, thought-provoking and totally unexpected twists, keeping the tale very much alive at all times. Add to that a pleasant writing style and a good dose of humour, and you've got a great feel-good fantasy story which leaves you wondering in the end: what traits did I pick from the Shop Before Life?
All in all highly recommended for anyone who enjoys some light-hearted soul-searching wrapped in a gentle, yet action-filled fantasy tale.
3 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Thought Provoking Page Turner
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 7, 2019
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This is a wonderful thought provoking story interlaced with Neil's playful humour. A real page turner and very cleverly written to make you think about life and the way we feel. I highly recommend!
2 people found this helpful
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Philip Power
3.0 out of 5 stars Good theme and narrative style, but lacks something
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 13, 2021
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Such a good idea for a story, and such a skill with words in its telling. Bits of it feel like a dream. But i think i was expecting it to be funnier/more insightful (a touch more Terry Pratchett or Douglas Adams), and i feel an opportunity was missed here - for a bit more satirical thrust or a humorous philosophical angle to explore? I have to say there is far too much "anxious young woman working in a big shop" going on, and not enough depth or plot. But if i were a teenage girl prone to anxiety and self-doubt this would be soul food.
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