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A review by midnightbookreading
The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green
3.0
The Blackout Book Club is an endearing historical fiction novel based in WWII.
I have read many war time book club books set during the Second World War but rarely have I found a story that was based in the United States. This charming novel will appeal to many who are interested in the sub genre: books about books.
Set in Maine, the story follows four main characters: Avis, Louise, Ginny, and Martina. Avis reluctantly steps into the role of head librarian in the interim while her brother is away at war. Louise is a wealthy spinster who owns and sponsors the local library, a legacy and passion project of her father. She is determined to shut down the library to transform the space into a daycare center for the children of working mothers who are supporting the war effort. Ginny works in the munitions factory. She has lived within the fishing community her entire life. During the war, the government acquisitions her family's land to build a navy base. Martina is involved in a tumultuous marriage and escapes her husband’s cruelty by moving to Derby to work in a munitions factory.
In effort to keep the library open, Avis Montgomery (the head librarian) forms a book club to keep local towns people interested in the library. The story discusses the hardships the women faced during war. The story is slow paced but heart warming. The novel included sprinkles of faith based elements, which I did appreciate, but I felt like there was a missing element with the characters. I think the book needed a bit more character development. I did not feel the emotional hook with the characters compared to other books within the same genre. It's a definite 3.5 but well worth reading (as most books are).
I will say that I did enjoy Martina and Louise's stories the best.
I have read many war time book club books set during the Second World War but rarely have I found a story that was based in the United States. This charming novel will appeal to many who are interested in the sub genre: books about books.
Set in Maine, the story follows four main characters: Avis, Louise, Ginny, and Martina. Avis reluctantly steps into the role of head librarian in the interim while her brother is away at war. Louise is a wealthy spinster who owns and sponsors the local library, a legacy and passion project of her father. She is determined to shut down the library to transform the space into a daycare center for the children of working mothers who are supporting the war effort. Ginny works in the munitions factory. She has lived within the fishing community her entire life. During the war, the government acquisitions her family's land to build a navy base. Martina is involved in a tumultuous marriage and escapes her husband’s cruelty by moving to Derby to work in a munitions factory.
In effort to keep the library open, Avis Montgomery (the head librarian) forms a book club to keep local towns people interested in the library. The story discusses the hardships the women faced during war. The story is slow paced but heart warming. The novel included sprinkles of faith based elements, which I did appreciate, but I felt like there was a missing element with the characters. I think the book needed a bit more character development. I did not feel the emotional hook with the characters compared to other books within the same genre. It's a definite 3.5 but well worth reading (as most books are).
I will say that I did enjoy Martina and Louise's stories the best.