The Wartime Book Club by Kate Thompson
This engaging new release tells the story of two best friends Bea Rose and Grace La Mottée and the dangerous turn their carefree lives undertook when German soldiers occupied the island of Jersey from 1940 until the end of World War Two.
Grace, gentle and dreamy, is the only librarian left on the island and has hidden books banned by the Germans and which are at constant risk of discovery. Grace has also been instrumental in starting up a Book Club where villagers can meet and discuss books, as well as connect with others. Bea works in the Post Office and is wilful, headstrong and betrothed to Grace’s brother Jimmy. When Bea suffers a terrible loss, she channels her hate of the Germans into hiding letters but more importantly she and other postal workers uncover letters from their fellow countrymen and women denouncing their neighbours. Bea uses her role as a post office delivery person to warn those in danger and persuades Grace to help her while she delivers books to homes. Both girls come under the scrutiny of Gestapo officer, Heinz Carl Wolfe (The Wolf) who stalks them until tragedy strikes. Grace then makes a momentous decision which changes her and Bea’s life, and the lives of the people closest to them.
Throughout this book, the passion and joy Grace has for her library, the books and her patrons is at the fore. She provides a safe haven for the people of Jersey as well as ensuring books make it into the right hands. Grace also meets Red, a downed American pilot hiding from the Germans. Their story plays out over the course of the novel and brings with it a sense of hope. Bea’s story is deeply connected to Grace’s and her determination to do as much as she can to thwart and outwit the German Army, while placing herself and her family in terrible danger, leads to some difficult and dangerous situations.
The dreadful abuse and deprivation inflicted by the Germans on the island of Jersey, completely cut off from the rest of the world, is well-researched and sensitively presented by author Kate Thompson. At the end of the book, she provides detailed background information about true events that took place on Jersey and shares snippets of stories from people who survived the vicious occupation.
It was enlightening to read at the beginning of each chapter about one banned book. Chapter 19 tells of banned books by author Alfred Kerr who was forced into exile in Great Britain. His daughter is author Judith Kerr who wrote The Tiger Who Came to Tea and When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit based on her escape from Nazi Germany.
The Wartime Book Club is a wonderful read for those who love books and war genre as well as those who work in libraries. Many will appreciate the references to well-known books throughout and the vital role libraries and books play in times of great despair.
Themes: Jersey, World War Two Occupation, Nazis, Loss, Suffering, Cruelty, Libraries, Books, Book Club, Hope, Friendship, Resistance.
Kathryn Beilby
