The Underground Library

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What to expect

Read by Fenella Woolgar, known for her role as Sister Hilda in BBC series Call the Midwife.

Three women united by their love of books. One library that has the power to change lives, even in wartime . . .

When Juliet begins work ats Bethnal Green Library, she discovers it is far from the bustling hub she was expecting. But, in the face of German Blitz attacks, she’s intent on making it a place where everyone feels safe and welcome.

Katie is thrilled to be working at the library, too. But, after the death of her sweetheart on the front line, she’s in desperate need of support.

Sofie, a Jewish refugee, escapes to the library every chance she gets. Though she finds comfort and friendship there, her position in London remains vulnerable.

When bombs wreck the library, the books are relocated to an underground station. As the war rages, can the women use their fighting spirit to overcome their own troubles and keep the library open to all?

Inspired by the true story of Bethnal Green Library.

PRAISE FOR JENNIFER RYAN:

'[Ryan's] 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' Martha Hall Kelly, New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls

Critics Review

A delight! Jennifer Ryan cooks up a fresh take on the popularity of World War Two fiction and brings the battle into the heart of the wartime home. A charming blend of intriguing characters and a high-stakes cookery competition, served with the perfect amount of pathos and humour
Hazel Gaynor, bestselling author of The Bird in the Bamboo Cage, on The Kitchen Front
What a dream of a book! Absolute perfection! Nostalgia, rivalry, friendship and fun – a real treat. Beautifully detailed – you will be right there with a cast of vivid characters, cooking their way to a new life
Veronica Henry, author of The Secret Beach, on The Kitchen Front
Delightful . . . it manages to be sad and funny, exciting and heartwarming, all at the same time. Quite an achievement
Barbara Erskine, author of The Ghost Tree, on The Chilbury Ladies Choir
Evocative, nostalgic and comforting with a wonderful story of female friendship. A delight
Alex Brown, author of The Secret of Orchard Cottage, on The Kitchen Front
Delightful . . .
People Magazine on The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir
The writing glows with emotional intelligence. This atmospheric debut, based on the author’s own family history, had me sniffing copiously
Daily Mail on The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir
[A] quick and delightful mystery . . . 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
Intrigue, romance and an unforgettable cast of characters who aren’t always as they appear . . . a charming slice of English wartime life that warms the soul like a hot toddy
Martha Hall Kelly, New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls on The Chilbury Ladies Choir

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