"People without books are like houses without windows"

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.

Things I liked:
- 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

 (Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)

The Little Wartime Library is a book that moved me on a variety of levels. Firstly, the sexism Clara and the women in this book have to endure is heart wrenching. This historical fiction book takes us back to a time - or maybe not even so far - when the sexism against women's literary taste and their 'expected behavior' was incredibly conservative. Conversations about what they should be reading and what 'bad ideas' they were reading about in books - like emancipation, agency, and pleasure. 

My blood was boiling on an almost daily basis as Clara fought not only for women's right to reading, but also to the education of children. Additionally, the literary elitism and classicism from the antagonists in the book was another source of rage. How clearly it tried to use books or the access to books against the poor. To not see the ability of reading for transformation, dreams, and ambition all the way to pleasure, enjoyment, and escapism. 

The Little Wartime Library is a heartwarming - if flawed - fictionalised look at life during the Second World War for the residents of London's East End.

It is told from the viewpoint of two women - Clara Button, the librarian of the underground library at the disused Bethnal Green tube station shelter, and her assistant, Ruby Munroe. Clara is a widow with a passion for making reading accessible to everybody, whilst hiding a tragic secret about her late husband. Ruby presents a cheery, devil-may-care attitude, but this is a front. She grieves the

loss of her sister in a tragic accident

and constantly worries about

her fragile mother, married to Ruby's stepfather, who is an abusive, violent alcoholic

.

If that wasn't enough, there are multiple bombing raids, a

would-be rapist on the loose

, a misogynistic, small-minded bully of an administrator

making Clara's life hell

, and two young evacuee sisters fleeing the Nazi occupation of Jersey.

Kate Thompson is an accomplished writer, and is clearly passionate about libraries and the role they play in society. The chief thing that I felt was really well done is depicting the changing roles of women (granted, mostly white women, but still) during this period in history - using the books they read as inspiration to make changes in their own lives.  Also depicted well is the trauma of the bombing raids and the senseless loss of life, and also the glimpse we got into the lives of the East End's Jewish population. This novel had more depth to it than I was expecting, which was refreshing.

I mentioned earlier in my review that this novel was flawed. The reason for this, I feel, goes to the fact this novel was far longer than it needed to be, and there was too much of well, everything. Thompson, as I have already stated, is a highly competent author, but in my opinion, she tried to cram too many issues into the novel - which meant some of them weren't given space to breathe.  The happy endings given to each character felt too predictable and in the case of

Clara's relationship with ambulance man Billy

, very problematic.

Overall, this novel has a lot of passion and heart - but it could have done with some editing.