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daisyslibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I could say so much about this book and even that wouldn't be enough to describe how this book made me feel and what wonderful meaning this story carries.
This book is based on true events from the Second World War and is about a wonderful underground community in a subway shaft in London and a library that has given so many people endless comfort in difficult times. We are guided through the story by fictional characters like Clara and Ruby, who work in the library and are so much more than just librarians for those people, they are also social workers, teachers, doctors, heroines but above all friends. The two protagonists are such strong and impressive personalities who also have their own burdens to bear and that makes them so authentic and approachable. I have grown very fond of them.
The supporting characters who find refuge in this library are also so tangible and their stories all touched me deeply. I especially took the children, who are also affectionately called "tunnel rats", to my heart and this book often moved me to tears and tore me apart inside.
Of course, some of the characters also drove me mad because they are dripping with misogyny and unfortunately that was also quite authentic because women had even less say at that time and were only seen as weak and irrational.
This book is a declaration of love for books and libraries and their importance in times of crisis and I can only recommend it.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicide, Violence, Gaslighting, and War
bookish_ghost_girl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Minor: Death, Suicide, Violence, Grief, and War
calamitywindpetal's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, and War
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual content, Stalking, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence and Murder
haren_k's review against another edition
3.5
Moderate: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and War
amberlfaris's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, and War
Moderate: Suicide and Death of parent
beachbookbabe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Minor: Physical abuse and War
moodreadswithmoe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
- Found family trope and the cast of characters were easy to connect with.
- Multiple POV
- The examination of grief and it's crossover/resonance to today.
- The bookish theme was spot of and carried throughout very well
- The authors note and bookclub discussion on extended context of the wartime library the book was based on.
Things that were a miss for me:
- Past/present setting and the ending was 'wrapped up' in a bow.
- Multiple relationship tropes to follow.
- The time period & language (this is always a miss for me and part of why historical fiction is not usually my go-to.
- Predictability of plot
Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Antisemitism, Grief, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Suicide
harmonygracie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
readingwithcats's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse and War
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Miscarriage and Suicide
theadorek9's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism