The Little Wartime Library: A gripping, heart-wrenching WW2 page-turner based on real events

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Any more of these and I'll be on the floor', laughed Alice. 'It's delicious; what's in it, Ruby Red Lips'?

Kate Thompson ни вкарва в лондонското метро, което след ужасяващите бомбардировки над Лондон се превръща в приют на бездомни, уплашени и бягащи от несигурността хора. Всъщност става дума за Бетнал Грийн - недовършена спирка на централната линия на метрото, свързваща Майл Енд с Ливърпул стрийт стейшън. Който познава добре столицата на Великобритания, може би ще разбере за какво става дума. И там, 78 фута под земята, хората намират единственото място, където не се чуват бомбите, взривовете и воят на сирените. Създават своето тайно село и се превръщат в сплотена общност, опитваща се да оцелее. В тази станция се открива приют с тройни легла за 5000 човека, театър за представления, кафене, медицински пункт със сестри и лекари, зала за танци с роял. И с библиотека. Която е биещотото сърце на хората, решили да не оставят войната да им отнеме човешките нужди. The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson is a wonderful WWII-era historical fiction saga that is based on true events and is so gri From a journalist to a ghost-writer, British author Kate Thompson has published a range of books over the last 20 years. In her most recent publication, Thompson has penned a story about strength, resilience, resistance, courage and the power of the written word. Drawn from real life events, The Little Wartime Library is an engrossing title that will rouse all Second World War fiction fans. This is such a beautiful story, set during World War 2 it shows the strength and courage that a librarian goes to, to make sure that people have books to read and what’s more friendship and support through some of the toughest times England has seen, when the Bethnal Green Library is bombed during the blitz, librarian Clara Button creates a new library underground in the disused Bethnal Green tube station along with thousands of bunk beds and many more services for the people of Bethnal Green, this was a book I found very hard to put down. A library is the only place you can go—from cradle to grave—that is free, safe, democratic and no one will try to flog you anything. You don’t have to part with a penny to travel the world. It’s the heartbeat of a community, offering precious resources to people in need. It’s a place just to be, to dream and to escape—with books. And what’s more precious than that? So, here’s to all library workers. We need you.”

This is a story about love, loss, forgiveness, acceptance, sacrifice, the importance of the human bond, having faith in oneself, finding your place and purpose in life. There was mystery, suspense, history, and of course so much about the amazing institution of the Library. This takes us into the heart and soul of what it means to be a part of something bigger than oneself. The underground library becomes the center of the community. In addition to living in constant threat of bombing, the librarians have to deal with their patrons' controlling, abusive husbands; administrators bent on censorship; unsupervised children; and safety concerns, such as a rapist roaming the streets. Most of the men in this story have a Gaston-like attitude that women shouldn't be reading books and getting ideas. Their responsibility is to be beautiful, get married, have babies, and essentially be mindless slaves to their husbands; nevermind all the war widows, there's little compassion for them. With a cast of colourful East Enders the novel is a deep dive into an unrecognisable time and place. Running throughout the story is an emphasis on reading for pleasure and as entertainment and escapism to take one away from the harsh realities of the wider world. Clara soon finds herself at odds with the posh library committee manager when he implies she would be doing a better service to keep her patrons away from romance and point them towards more educational fare. This is the first of many battles that Clara and Ruby have with their snooty boss, Mr Pinkerton-Smythe, who has the temerity to dismiss Clara as “just a Children’s librarian” and soon find himself on the wrong side of half of Bethnal Green! Chapters alternate between focusing on Clara and Ruby and, as two very different but quite complex characters, this works well and keeps the story moving along at a pace. Although both women find themselves with male admirers it’s far from plain sailing with turmoil aplenty along the way, and not just in their love lives. This has to be one of my best books of 2022. Yes I realise we’ve barely woken up from the new year celebrations but this is such a wonderful story, beautifully told that I am sure I am going to be hard pressed to find a match to this.

Kate Thompson’s exploration of what the ‘little’ person can achieve in the face of adversity is truly inspirational. Acaptivating tale about the power of libraries and how they connect us. . . [a]fascinating slice of history. author of The Girls from the Beach Andie NewtonThe author’s note at the end was as enjoyable as the novel! This is essential reading for bibliophiles around the world. Well, the book club belter, as I've called it, is made up of three key ingredients. Gin, gin and gin. I'm joking. There is a bit of orange cordial in it', she said, winking as she topped Pat up. 'But I don't like to go too heavy handed on the cordial'. Kate Thompson редуваше лекотата на общуването между всички герои със страшните моменти на обреченост. Толкова много мили персонажи загинаха безпричинно и заради това, че бяха на неподходящо място в неточния момент. Но както винаги живите трябва да продължат напред , дори ако едва преодоляват загубата, спомена или болката! The Little Wartime Library was a haven for people. It did so much more than hand out books. It helped children to learn to read, to come to terms with loss of family to help those living in the underground to bear the long hard years that war brought to their homes and cities.

Informative and enlightening, heart-wrenching yet hopeful, this is a story that will stay with me. Fans of historical fiction and stories revolving around libraries would certainly enjoy this novel. Heartbreakingly, that home was tinged with horror one night in March 1943 when 173 people died in a human crush on the uneven steps down to the shelter. ARP wardens worked alongside housewives and boy scouts to save the injured. Mrs Chumbley wrenched children free from the crush with such force their shoes were left behind. It was three hours before the last casualty was pulled out. I absolutely loved the story of the underground community and learning more about the heart of soul of this community: the library, its Librarian, and its people. The narrations were split between Clara and Ruby. Clara stands up to injustice – particularly when it comes to lending out what have been deemed ‘restricted’ books.This is such a beautiful, heartwarming, heartbreaking, and inspirational book on so many different levels. The Little Wartime Library was such an immensely heartwarming read. I laughed and cried through the entire thing, completely enraptured. The characters were so endearing, and the true story behind the underground library is absolutely incredible. People who love books about books must read this gem!"

The Little Wartime Library - мнозина могат да си направят извода, че тя предлага сладък разказ за малка библиотека някъде из Лондон по време на войната. Но ще сбъркат фундаментално!Beautifully written with emotion this story is based on true events is heart-breaking and heart-warming at the same time as we see Clara and Ruby stand up for the people who need this library, Clara is the most caring person as is Ruby both have been through so much and deserve happiness. I loved getting to know the people who live in this underground world, I cried with them and cheered them one, anyone who loves reading and loves a library must read this story, it truly shows what a library means to so many people. I highly recommend this story, I loved it.