The Last Bookshop in London
Madeline Martin’s The Last Bookshop in London is a story of hope. It captured my heart and is a lovely tribute to the people of London who survived the Blitz during World War II.
Synopsis: Inspired by the true World War II history of the few bookshops to survive the Blitz.
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 blackout curtains that she finds on her arrival were 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.
What appealed to you the most in this story?
Ummm….Everything! This was a story about hope and a community of people who were there for each other as they live and survive the war in WWII London. From the very beginning I fell in love with each of the characters equally, and by the end of the story I definitely was not ready to let them go. The best part was how Martin highlighted what we often forget - the role ordinary people play in helping their neighbors and keeping up morale.
Did the lead character
In the midst of the war and the blitz, Grace Bennett truly shines in every way. She begins reading aloud to fellow Londoners while taking shelter in the train station and this really brought so much heart to the story and was such a poignant reminder of the power of books! We can't all be a Nancy Wake (Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon - must read) or a Virginia Hall (The Invisible Woman by Erika Rebuck - another must read), but we can be a Grace Bennett. We can show up. We can look out for our neighbors. We can be a compassionate soul to those in need.
How was the pace?
Fast! I could not put this book down once I started it and flew through the pages. Jenny and I both flew through this story and loved every page in it!
Do you recommend this book?
Oh my goodness yes! This is a must read for all, and I know all you historical fiction readers will gobble it up!
Thank you Hanover Square Press for this gifted book in exchange for my honest review.
