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The Wartime Book Club by Kate Thompson

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The Wartime Book Club

The Wartime Librarians (Related to this series)

Publisher
Hodder & Stoughton
Publish Date
15 February 2024
Run Time
16 hours 29 minutes
Format
Audiobook

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What to expect

*BASED ON A TRUE STORY, CONTAINS 50+ PAGES OF EXTRA CONTENT ON THE REAL PEOPLE THE BOOK IS INSPIRED BY*

Jersey, 1943. When the German Army invades the tranquil island, librarian Grace La Motée is determined to keep her services running. Ordered to destroy books which threaten the Nazi regime, she refuses, instead hiding them away and fighting back by forming a book club: a lifeline to help islanders escape the terror of war, one chapter at a time.

But soon Grace's quiet acts of bravery become even more perilous. She's harbouring dangerous secrets - ones that put her life in danger - and when tensions turn to violence, she is forced to face the true, terrible cost of resistance . . .

Based on astonishing real events, The Wartime Book Club is a love letter to the power of books in the darkest of times - as well as a moving page-turner that brings to life the remarkable, untold story of an island at war.

EVERYONE LOVES THE WARTIME BOOK CLUB:

'Wish I could give it more stars' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I was utterly enthralled . . . it reminds us how strong we can be in the face of adversity' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Tears, laughs and genuine love for all the characters in this book' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A heartwarming tale . . . shows against all odds and hardships people can survive' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Full of wonderful characters and their determination to get through the worst times' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

AND SO DO YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHORS...
'One of the very best books I've read in a long time' PETER JAMES
'Engaging' RACHEL HORE
'Both heartwarming and heartbreaking' GILL PAUL
'A poignant masterpiece' MADELINE MARTIN
'A book to be savoured and remembered' GILL THOMPSON

Critics Review

  • One of the very best books I've read in a long time. A gripping, emotional rollercoaster and a true hymn to the power and spirit of novels

    Peter James

  • A beautiful wartime story of bravery and books

    The Sun

  • A poignant masterpiece that paints a vivid picture of Nazi-occupied life on the isle of Jersey and illustrates how books can truly provide hope in the darkest of times . . . raw and real, this story will pull at your heart

    Madeline Martin

  • An engaging, beautifully researched story of love, courage and resistance in time of war and danger

    Rachel Hore

See more reviews
  • A beautiful novel about love, courage, hope and friendship in the darkest of times . . . A book to be savoured and remembered

    Gill Thompson

  • At the core of the novel is the library, and a book group that met there, finding strength and solace in reading during the worst of times. Both heartwarming and heartbreaking, this is an unforgettable page-turner

    Gill Paul

  • Bravery, traitors, acts of defiance and compassion for others . . . with characters so real that I laughed and wept along with them

    Pam Weaver

  • A story of bravery and the cost of small acts of defiance, and it will stay with me for a long time. Simply outstanding!

    Andie Newton

  • A wonderful, poignant, heartwarming story of the power of books, the strength of the human spirit, and how selfless acts for the good of others is food for the soul

    Louise Fein

  • The courage and daring of [Kate Thompson's] characters was breathtaking . . . a stunning novel'

    Suzanne Goldring

  • This, for me, is historical fiction at its finest - a story of believable, vividly-drawn people trying to live in a world so very different from our own

    Anna Stuart

  • Engrossing and well-researched . . . A compelling story of resilience and rebellion in the most testing of times

    Jacquie Bloese

  • An absolute treasure of a read . . . it's a book about women first and foremost - their strength, their friendships, their profound courage - and it's also an extended love letter to books and libraries; the unique power stories have to unite people, to bring hope and comfort in the very darkest of times. By turns heartwrenching and harrowing, humorous and warm, it is completely absorbing and ultimately uplifting

    Iona Grey

  • I was captivated by this propulsive, darkly beautiful novel about love, wartime occupation, and the power of reading. Kate Thompson is a master storyteller

    Louise Treger

  • Kate Thompson delivers another heartfelt story with her signature impeccable research and cast of wonderfully endearing characters. She is the master at writing books about both the power of books and the power of women, a combination I adore

    Natasha Lester

  • A piercing novel . . . This book take its rightful place on the shelves dedicated to Jersey's war, and reminds us only too powerfully of the essential comfort of literature in despairing times

    The Lady

User Reviews

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Details

Author
Kate Thompson
Narrator
Imogen Church
Duration
16 hours 29 minutes
Release Date
15 February 2024
ISBN
9781399714945
Format
Audiobook
Publisher
Hodder & Stoughton
Genre
Second World War fiction, Historical fiction

Synopsis

*BASED ON A TRUE STORY, CONTAINS 50+ PAGES OF EXTRA CONTENT ON THE REAL PEOPLE THE BOOK IS INSPIRED BY*Jersey, 1943. When the German Army invades the tranquil island, librarian Grace La Motée is determined to keep her services running. Ordered to destroy books which threaten the Nazi regime, she refuses, instead hiding them away and fighting back by forming a book club: a lifeline to help islanders escape the terror of war, one chapter at a time.But soon Grace's quiet acts of bravery become even more perilous. She's harbouring dangerous secrets - ones that put her life in danger - and when tensions turn to violence, she is forced to face the true, terrible cost of resistance . . .Based on astonishing real events, The Wartime Book Club is a love letter to the power of books in the darkest of times - as well as a moving page-turner that brings to life the remarkable, untold story of an island at war.EVERYONE LOVES THE WARTIME BOOK CLUB:'Wish I could give it more stars' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'I was utterly enthralled . . . it reminds us how strong we can be in the face of adversity' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Tears, laughs and genuine love for all the characters in this book' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'A heartwarming tale . . . shows against all odds and hardships people can survive' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Full of wonderful characters and their determination to get through the worst times' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐AND SO DO YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHORS...'One of the very best books I've read in a long time' PETER JAMES'Engaging' RACHEL HORE'Both heartwarming and heartbreaking' GILL PAUL'A poignant masterpiece' MADELINE MARTIN'A book to be savoured and remembered' GILL THOMPSON

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