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mamamelreads 's review for:
The Last Bookshop in London: A Novel of World War II
by Madeline Martin
This is a sweet little book that made me think a lot about how removed we are from the realities of war in our country. I cannot even begin to fathom what it would be like to live in constant fear of nightly bombing runs that indiscriminately target civilian homes and businesses more than actual strategic targets. I can't imagine living in a world where the government has to ration food items like sugar and meat and cheese. I can't even imagine a time of war where thousands of men die in a single campaign, forever altering the lives of those loved ones who are left behind. But that is the world Grace lives in. This novel spans the years of World War II in London, from the moments where the citizens of London are preparing for war and bombings to the days where they struggle through the horrors of daily bombings, and finally ending with the joy and hope that comes with the end of the war. The story is told through the experiences of Grace as she takes a job at a local bookstore, a bit grudgingly, but then puts her all into her job and improves the store, drawing in new customers. Grace does her part and volunteers to help her community as she patrols the streets at night, helping in the aftermath of bombings. It's a fascinating look at what life might have been like during this difficult time in history. There is just enough of a mixture of good and tragic in this story. There is a sweet (but muted) love story as well, so Grace is able to find joy in the midst of sorrow.
What can I say about this story. Not a lot. There is a lot of heart here with lots of sweet moments and memorable side characters. But I have to say that it's impossible to hear about a character named Mrs. Nesbitt without thinking:
It was a bit distracting.
Overall, I'd say that there are books that focus on this era in a deeper and more lasting way ... books like The Book Thief or The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. But this story was still very good, and I did enjoy the audio version read by Saskia Maarlveld. It was a nice change of pace from the books I usually read. I'll give it four stars. I really liked it.
What can I say about this story. Not a lot. There is a lot of heart here with lots of sweet moments and memorable side characters. But I have to say that it's impossible to hear about a character named Mrs. Nesbitt without thinking:
It was a bit distracting.
Overall, I'd say that there are books that focus on this era in a deeper and more lasting way ... books like The Book Thief or The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. But this story was still very good, and I did enjoy the audio version read by Saskia Maarlveld. It was a nice change of pace from the books I usually read. I'll give it four stars. I really liked it.