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The Last Bookshop in London

A Novel of World War II

ebook
74 of 74 copies available
74 of 74 copies available
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:

  • The Librarian Spy
  • The Keeper of Hidden Books

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      • Booklist

        February 1, 2021
        In August 1939, with war looming, Grace Bennett and her friend Viv follow their dreams to London. Ensconced in the home of a family friend, the pair set off to find jobs. Viv lands at Harrods, but Grace must settle for a dreary-looking bookshop called Primrose Hill, where the dust-covered offerings are maintained by the grumpy Mr. Evans. Grace isn't a reader, but that changes quickly when a handsome RAF officer recommends The Count of Monte Cristo. After subduing the dust and moving on to the haphazardly organized shelves--all the while powering through Jane Austen--Grace is shaping up nicely as a bookseller until war is declared, with the quiet of the Phony War gradually giving way to the Blitz. Martin capably portrays the horror of nightly bombings, but where she really shines is in depicting Grace's rebirth as a reader, which parallels her growth as a readers' advisor and book-club leader, her nightly readings providing welcome respite to the shell-shocked locals. This engaging mix of books, romance, and war is not without tragedy, but the unapologetically uplifting ending will find booklovers wiping away a tear or two.

        COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

      • Library Journal

        April 23, 2021

        Grace and Viv, two young women from Norfolk, travel to London on the eve of World War II to lodge with Mrs. Weatherford, the best friend of Grace's mother. Viv is hopeful of a job at Harrods; Grace doesn't have proper references, so she must content herself with a job at the local shop Primrose Hill Books (although she's not much of a reader). Primrose Hill's owner, Mr. Evans, grudgingly hires Grace at Mrs. Weatherford's behest. Mr. Evans sets out some conditions: Grace may stay for only six months, after which he will provide her with references and she can seek employment elsewhere. He didn't count on Grace's entrepreneurial and community spirit, or the imminent war, or people's insatiable need for words and stories during hard times. Grace's first task is to make effective blackout curtains for the shop, as the war and air raids begin. Decency prevails in Martin's (Borderland Ladies) historically accurate book, despite the horrors of the London Blitz, which Grace, as an air raid warden, witnesses firsthand. VERDICT During times of crisis, who can deny the comfort of books and reading? Deftly written, and testament to survival in a challenging time, this book is a soothing and reassuring read.--Penelope J.M. Klein, Edinburgh, Scotland

        Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

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