The Last Bookshop in London: Historical Fiction Set in London During the Lead-Up to WWII
The New York Times bestseller--for fans of All the Light We Cannot See and The Tattooist of Auschwitz!
"An irresistible tale which showcases the transformative power of literacy, reminding us of the hope and sanctuary our neighborhood bookstores offer during the perilous trials of war and unrest."--KIM MICHELE RICHARDSON, author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
August 1939: London prepares for war as Hitler's forces sweep across Europe. Grace Bennett has always dreamed of moving to the city, but the bunkers and drawn curtains that she finds on her arrival are not what she expected. And she certainly never imagined she'd wind up working at Primrose Hill, a dusty old bookshop nestled in the heart of London.
Through blackouts and air raids as the Blitz intensifies, Grace discovers the power of storytelling to unite her community in ways she never dreamed--a force that triumphs over even the darkest nights of the war.
"A gorgeously written story of love, friendship, and survival set against the backdrop of WWII-era London."--JILLIAN CANTOR, author of In Another Time and Half Life
"A love letter to the power of books to unite us, to hold the world together when it's falling apart around our ears. This fresh take on what London endured during WWII should catapult Madeline Martin to the top tier of historical fiction novelists."--KAREN ROBARDS, author of The Black Swan of Paris
Don't miss Madeline Martin's next heartwarming historical novel, The Booklover's Library!
Also by Madeline Martin:
"An irresistible tale which showcases the transformative power of literacy, reminding us of the hope and sanctuary our neighborhood bookstores offer during the perilous trials of war and unrest."--KIM MICHELE RICHARDSON, author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
August 1939: London prepares for war as Hitler's forces sweep across Europe. Grace Bennett has always dreamed of moving to the city, but the bunkers and drawn curtains that she finds on her arrival are not what she expected. And she certainly never imagined she'd wind up working at Primrose Hill, a dusty old bookshop nestled in the heart of London.
Through blackouts and air raids as the Blitz intensifies, Grace discovers the power of storytelling to unite her community in ways she never dreamed--a force that triumphs over even the darkest nights of the war.
"A gorgeously written story of love, friendship, and survival set against the backdrop of WWII-era London."--JILLIAN CANTOR, author of In Another Time and Half Life
"A love letter to the power of books to unite us, to hold the world together when it's falling apart around our ears. This fresh take on what London endured during WWII should catapult Madeline Martin to the top tier of historical fiction novelists."--KAREN ROBARDS, author of The Black Swan of Paris
Don't miss Madeline Martin's next heartwarming historical novel, The Booklover's Library!
Also by Madeline Martin:
- The Librarian Spy
- The Keeper of Hidden Books
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Community Reviews
I know that I should read more of them, for educational and social purposes, but I don't tend to choose war-themed novels because I find them upsetting. I made an exception for this book, however, as I was intrigued by the bookshop element. And I am very glad that I did. Madeline Martin has written a beautifully descriptive novel with gorgeous little details that transports the reader to wartime London. The book presents like real war, where the reader never knows when tragedy will strike next and who will be affected. But, that said, it also celebrates the perseverance of the British People and the diamonds in the rough - the times a generous heart can make all the difference to someone in need.
The reader follows the life of Grace Bennett, a young single women who has recently moved from the country to London, as she experiences the various stages of World War II, from just before war was declared to just after peace was reached. It was very informative in a very personal way. I didn’t study a lot of history at school and this was an easy and compelling way to learn new details about the war. For example, I had not heard of "incendiaries" and what they could do, and I did not what an ARP Warden’s responsibilities were and how dangerous that work could be. I also found myself pausing the story to look up a YouTube movie of Churchill’s famous Dunkirk speech.
The Last Bookshop in London is a gorgeous tale of friendship, love and patriotism in the purist and most positive form. It was also extremely thought-provoking and made me contemplate all the ways that life was different then. They were on the brink of a second war with Germany, carrying gas masks everywhere and passing Public Air Raid shelters as they walked the London streets, sleeping each night of the Blitz deep down in the over-populated, noisy, odorous London Underground stations. Some things felt very relatable, however, like the mention of posters encouraging people to continue book their holidays despite the threat of impending war (I am writing this during the COVID19 pandemic when travel guidelines and reservations are forever changing and just as uncertain).
If you are like me, and avoid historical war fiction, I would recommend this as a rewarding way to give it a go.
The reader follows the life of Grace Bennett, a young single women who has recently moved from the country to London, as she experiences the various stages of World War II, from just before war was declared to just after peace was reached. It was very informative in a very personal way. I didn’t study a lot of history at school and this was an easy and compelling way to learn new details about the war. For example, I had not heard of "incendiaries" and what they could do, and I did not what an ARP Warden’s responsibilities were and how dangerous that work could be. I also found myself pausing the story to look up a YouTube movie of Churchill’s famous Dunkirk speech.
The Last Bookshop in London is a gorgeous tale of friendship, love and patriotism in the purist and most positive form. It was also extremely thought-provoking and made me contemplate all the ways that life was different then. They were on the brink of a second war with Germany, carrying gas masks everywhere and passing Public Air Raid shelters as they walked the London streets, sleeping each night of the Blitz deep down in the over-populated, noisy, odorous London Underground stations. Some things felt very relatable, however, like the mention of posters encouraging people to continue book their holidays despite the threat of impending war (I am writing this during the COVID19 pandemic when travel guidelines and reservations are forever changing and just as uncertain).
If you are like me, and avoid historical war fiction, I would recommend this as a rewarding way to give it a go.
Show more
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