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The Underground Library - by Jennifer Ryan - 1 of 1

The Underground Library - by Jennifer Ryan (Hardcover)

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Highlights

  • When the Blitz imperils the heart of a London neighborhood, three young women must use their fighting spirit to save the community's beloved library in this novel based on true events from the author of The Chilbury Ladies' Choir.
  • About the Author: Jennifer Ryan is the author of The Chilbury Ladies' Choir, The Spies of Shilling Lane, The Kitchen Front, and The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle.
  • 368 Pages
  • Fiction + Literature Genres, Historical

Description



About the Book



"On the day Juliet Lansdown reports to work for the first time at Bethnal Green Library, it isn't the bustling hub she's been expecting. But in the face of German attacks, she's determined to make it a place where all of their neighbors feel safe and welcome. Katie Upwood is thrilled to be working at the library too, though she's only there until she heads off to university in the fall. But after the death of her beau on the front lines and unexpected family strife, she's more in need of support than ever. Sofie Baumann, a Jewish refugee without any family to lean on, finds comfort and friendship in Bethnal Green's quickly growing literary community and escapes to the library every chance she gets. But her asylum in London is tied to a domestic work visa issued by an unscrupulous employer, leaving her vulnerable and uncertain where to turn when her work environment becomes unbearable. So when a slew of bombs damage the library, Juliet can't bear to give up on her safe haven of books and relocates the stacks into an Underground station where the city's residents shelter nightly, determined to keep lending out stories that will keep spirits up. But tragedy after tragedy strikes, threatening to unmoor the women and sever the ties of their community. Will Juliet, Kate, and Sofie be able to overcome their own troubles to save the library? Or will the beating heart of their neighborhood be lost forever?"--



Book Synopsis



When the Blitz imperils the heart of a London neighborhood, three young women must use their fighting spirit to save the community's beloved library in this novel based on true events from the author of The Chilbury Ladies' Choir.

When the new deputy librarian, Juliet Lansdown, finds that Bethnal Green Library isn't the bustling hub she is expecting, she becomes determined to breathe life back into it. But can she show the men in charge that a woman is up to the task of running the library, especially when a confrontation with her past threatens to derail her?

Katie Upwood is thrilled to be working at the library, although she is only there until she heads off to university in the fall. But after the death of her beau on the front line and amid tumultuous family strife, she finds herself harboring a life-changing secret with no one to turn to for help.

Sofie Baumann, a young Jewish refugee, came to London on a domestic service visa only to find herself working as a maid for a man who treats her abominably. She escapes to the library every chance she can, finding friendship in the literary community and aid in finding her sister, who is still trying to flee occupied Europe.

When a slew of bombs destroys the library, Juliet relocates the stacks to the local Underground station where the city's residents shelter nightly, determined to lend out stories that will keep spirits up. But tragedy after tragedy threatens to unmoor the women and sever the ties of their community. Will Juliet, Kate, and Sofie be able to overcome their own troubles to save the library? Or will the beating heart of their neighborhood be lost forever?



Review Quotes




Praise for The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle

"[Jennifer] Ryan has dug into a fascinating closet of World War II history. . . . Her emphasis is on how people, especially women, manage to keep life (and love) going when so many others are intent on destroying it."―Historical Novel Society

"A deliciously warm and heartrending tale . . . It's empowering to see women helping women. . . . A lovely reminder that helping others is one of the things that make life so satisfying."―Martha Hall Kelly, New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls

Praise for The Kitchen Front

"A charming tale that will satiate a lot of different tastes . . . This story had me so hooked, I literally couldn't put it down to cook."―NPR

"World War II-era England wasn't a happy place, but one can always find joy in cake and tea. . . . Four women, who have different reasons for competing, take solace in one another as they create recipes out of rationed ingredients. It's like re-watching old episodes of The Great British Baking Show."―The Washington Post

Praise for The Spies of Shilling Lane

"Quick and delightful . . . Ryan's subtlety shines in her acknowledgment of the importance of remembering the people who pass through our lives and in her descriptions of how war and conflict can teach empathy and change people for the better."―The New York Times Book Review

"Richly detailed . . . This tale swept me away!"―First for Women



About the Author



Jennifer Ryan is the author of The Chilbury Ladies' Choir, The Spies of Shilling Lane, The Kitchen Front, and The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle. She was previously a nonfiction book editor. Originally from Kent and then London, she lives in the Washington, D.C., area with her husband and two children.
Dimensions (Overall): 9.46 Inches (H) x 6.35 Inches (W) x 1.35 Inches (D)
Weight: 1.25 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 368
Genre: Fiction + Literature Genres
Sub-Genre: Historical
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Theme: World War II
Format: Hardcover
Author: Jennifer Ryan
Language: English
Street Date: March 12, 2024
TCIN: 89397488
UPC: 9780593500385
Item Number (DPCI): 247-27-7818
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Shipping details

Estimated ship dimensions: 1.35 inches length x 6.35 inches width x 9.46 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 1.25 pounds
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Additional product information and recommendations

4.5 out of 5 stars with 2 reviews
100% would recommend
2 recommendations
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
22 March, 2024

Loved this book about books

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for a digital advance reader's copy. All comments and opinions are my own. This book has all the good things: A book about a library. About people who love books. Saving books during the London Blitz. People who come together around this makeshift underground library and form a community despite the dangers of war. Of course I wanted to read this one! And it checked all the boxes – heartwarming, friendships, historical fiction, books and book lovers, a bit of romance, and based on actual events. Many of the characters were endearing, engaging, and resourceful. Main plot, sub plots, and all threads tied up happily at the end. A satisfying, well-researched read that left me more knowledgeable about this time period and wartime in London. And I appreciated how the characters expressed their love of books throughout the novel. I enjoyed and agreed with so many comments of the characters expressing their thoughts about books and libraries and their importance in their lives. Here are a few quotes: “To Juliet, a library was more than just a repository for books. It was a spiritual and intellectual adventure, a place to delve into the rich treasure trove of life.” She explains to a friend: “To me books are like old friends, telling us great truths, holding our hands through the difficulties, showing us light and joy at the end of every tunnel. Sometimes all I need is to see my battered copy of Pride and Prejudice to know that the characters are there inside me, warming my spirit, telling me to live life on my own terms, comforting me that everything will be all right in the end. Books are the only thing that keep me going, a kind of home inside my heart.” I loved the way author Jennifer Ryan was able to show how the books, and the underground library, had created a community during this extremely stressful and dangerous time. Friendships and romances were formed, families were reunited, and people developed courage and strength – all from the books and the library. After I began reading “The Underground Library” I noticed this novel’s premise of Bethnal Green Library being bombed and relocating to the nearby underground tube station was the same as "The Little Wartime Library" by Kate Thompson but with a different fictional deputy librarian and a new cast of readers and volunteers. They’re each great novels, different enough that they complement one another, and you’ll be glad you read them both!
PhyllisE
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4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
12 March, 2024

A Great Book Pick!

This book alternates chapters between the following women: Sofie was the first in her family to obtain a British Visa to go to work in London in order to escape life as a Jew in Berlin. Sofie is employed as a maid for a man who overworks her and threatens to send her back if she doesn’t meet his standards. She was hoping her older sister Rachel and her father would not be far behind. Will she ever see her family again? Can she keep her employer happy or will she be sent away? Juliet is in charge of the Bethnal Green Library, but was told it might shut down at any time due to the war. She secretly holds a book club every Saturday as her boss doesn’t approve. When everyone starts using the underground for shelter, she accidentally starts an underground library. Will she be able to keep this running despite the odds? Katie works at the library and is about to go off to college. She is left in a predicament when she is notified that her beau has been killed in the war. She then realizes she is pregnant. She knows she could be shunned by her family and community. Will she be able to keep her baby and live the life she wants? As the story unfolds, you find out these ladies’ friendships, that were made through the library, are what keeps them going. Did they manage to survive WWII and live the lives they envisioned? This book highlights how horrific WWII was, how women came together to support each other, and proved that women can do men’s jobs just as well. This author did an excellent job conveying the hardships, and emotional toll that existed during WWII. If you love reading Historical Fiction, be sure to check this one out! A great book club pick as there is so much to discuss!
Akbaird
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