The Keeper of Hidden Books: A Gripping Historical Novel about a Woman's Fight to Save Books and Friends from War
Description
A NATIONAL BESTSELLER--for fans of All the Light We Cannot See and The Tattooist of Auschwitz!A BookBub Pick for Best Historical Fiction of Summer 2023
A heartwarming story about the power of books to bring us together, inspired by the true story of the underground library in WWII Warsaw, by the New York Times bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London.
All her life, Zofia has found comfort in two things during times of hardship: books and her best friend, Janina. But no one could have imagined the horrors of the Nazi occupation in Warsaw. As the bombs rain down and Hitler's forces loot and destroy the city, Zofia finds that now books are also in need of saving.
With the death count rising and persecution intensifying, Zofia jumps to action to save her friend and salvage whatever books she can from the wreckage, hiding them away, and even starting a clandestine book club. She and her dearest friend never surrender their love of reading, even when Janina is forced into the newly formed ghetto.
But the closer Warsaw creeps toward liberation, the more dangerous life becomes for the women and their families - and escape may not be possible for everyone. As the destruction rages around them, Zofia must fight to save her friend and preserve her culture and community using the only weapon they have left - literature.
"Readers will be on the edge of their seats as they are transported...with Madeline Martin's vivid and inspiring characters." --Kelly Rimmer, author of The Warsaw Orphan
"Madeline Martin immerses us in the expertly rendered and fascinating worlds." --Natasha Lester, author of The Riviera House
Don't miss Madeline Martin's next heartwarming historical novel, The Booklover's Library!
Also by Madeline Martin:
- The Librarian Spy
- The Last Bookshop in London
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Community Reviews
This book was one of the best novels I have read this year. Although the historic background is the Nazi occupation of Poland/ the creation of the Jewish ghetto/ the resistance of the Polish people to Nazi efforts to destroy them and their cultures, for me the novel was about more than this. The power to unite people and to create empathy through literature and a free exchange of ideas resonates strongly in The Keeper of Hidden Books. It’s a theme that those who wish to ban books /censor libraries fail to understand. It’s one reason why this reader will always resist book bans. The courage of ordinary citizens working in the Polish Public Library truly moved me and I recommend this book to all.
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This story was so good!
It tells of the bravery, strength and resilience of the people back in a time of heartache and darkness. I loved the characters and was drawn into the story from the beginning. There is very little romance in this book, but mostly love in family, friends and others. It reminds us how important education, books and art are, especially when familiar culture is being threatened. And to make sure we pass on this knowledge so it isnt repeated. Very relevant to today. The authors' epilogue and note at the end are great to hear. I can't wait to read more of her work.
Saskia Maarleveld does such a beautiful job narrating. She is one of my favorite narrators, none is better.
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