"Torrance Shipman" is a fictional character from the book "The Last Bookaneer" by Matthew Pearl. The story revolves around the world of rare book dealers and the quest for a lost manuscript by the famous author Robert Louis Stevenson. In the narrative, Torrance Shipman is portrayed as a passionate and determined book thief, navigating the competitive landscape of literary treasure hunting. His character embodies the themes of obsession and the lengths individuals will go to for the love of literature and history.