Reviews - The Librarian of Burned Books

789 reviews for:

The Librarian of Burned Books

Brianna Labuskes

4.01 AVERAGE

fortmeines's review against another edition

4.75

hopeful inspiring tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

inkwitchery's review against another edition

4.0

THE LIBRARIAN OF BURNED BOOKS by Brianna Labuskes

For being historical fiction the subject matter of this WWII story is pertinent to our current events. Censorship, book banning and burning is a way for the few to control the narrative and push their insidious agenda and beliefs onto the populace.

The story alternates between three different perspectives over an eleven year period.

1944 - Vivian Childs lives in New York working for the Armed Services Editions (ASE) program which ships books out to soldiers in the military in order to boost morale. She is currently trying to garner support for the ASE as Senator Taft has introduced a bill that will essentially censor all the books being shipped out.

1933 - Althea James is an American author who was invited by Joseph Geobbles to be part of a six month cultural immersion program in Berlin. She is young, naive, clueless about politics. She quickly learns her German host has not been upfront about his political views,

1936 - Hannah Brecht escaped to Paris from Germany shortly after Hitler came into power. She keeps to herself, working at the German Library of Burned Books.

While I wish this story was written in chronological order (at least in the beginning), the overall message and lesson is important: We cannot remain complacent or apathetic when it comes to the censoring or manipulation of our history, proven facts and information.

I usually don’t highlight passages in my ebooks, but I found myself doing so in this one.

If you like historical fiction and love books (obviously you do because you’re reading reviews), this would make for great read.

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️

Pub Date: 02.21.2023

ammcdonald1993's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

redmoran1's review

5.0

Full review to come

A must read to remember the past!

spinning_gold's review against another edition

4.5

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

maryforbes's review

5.0

A great book that includes censorship, WWII, and queer representation. The book is led by women, and I appreciate their drive, sensitivity, and creativity.