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The humor, which is not directly related to running the bookshop, is excellent (although it has its weaker moments), but the gags, which are directed at how Bernard treats his customers, are excellent gems of infinite proportions, which I feel like watching five times in a row to really absorb them. Why? Because I worked in a bookstore for a year and this is one endless déjà vu I see myself in dangerously often. It's not that I was behind the counter drinking wine and smoking cigarettes, but I really did beg desperately several times for someone to lock the door and not let anyone in. The "No Time Wasters" signs need not even be mentioned... yet after the first series (so far) I’m only giving it 4 ½. Edit: I still give it the same rating. It was great fun, but even though it touches on a subject so close to me, I won't be going back to the series any time soon... I think. (01.01.2010)

Although Black Books doesn’t rely solely on the Bernard/Manny duo, in view of the fact that they are a wonderful comedy duo, they are more than enough to make this first-rate entertainment. Especially that cynical Irish book buyer, Bernard Black, has become my idol. Of eighteen episodes, most are brilliant, unfortunately a couple of purely average ones crop up here and there. And personally, I think one of the negative sides is the unexploited potential of a bookstore. The entire series could just as easily have taken place in any other type of store, which is a huge shame. (13.10.2006)

Every good bookstore owner loves their customers, because they make their living off of them. Bernard Black is not a good bookstore owner, and he hates his customers with all his heart. Moreover, he rarely tolerates anyone around him, so it's a miracle that his randomly hired subordinate Manny and socially awkward friend Fran are able to navigate his presence without (serious) harm to their health. But thank goodness they can, because with this mismatched trio, the fun is absolutely magnificent. It may not be as skillfully crafted a gem as the series The IT Crowd would become for Graham Linehan a few years later, but that's not even the point. The beefy voice and rubber face of Dylan Moran can elevate even the most overcooked lines into pleasant entertainment, and the best episodes then become a family comedy festival. It's no wonder, then, that more than a decade later, at a time when genuinely funny sitcoms are becoming increasingly rare, Black Books is remembered as a legend. (13.09.2015)

I take back the fairly critical review I had until now. I’ve recently rewatched Black Books and it’s a brilliant sitcom. 10/10 (31.01.2009)

Typical British sitcom based on distinct characters, dry witty lines, and sarcastic black humor. Unconventional actors, original plots, an atmosphere of pervasive absurdity. The only thing that sets this show apart from a five-star rating is the uneven quality. Brilliantly humorous moments alternate with duller moments and awkward grimaces. Overall impression: 80%. (26.10.2007)