Author: Madeline Martin
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Hanover Square Press
Release Date: 2023
Pages: 407
Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: A heartwarming story about the power of books to bring us together, inspired by the true story of the underground library in WWII Warsaw, by the New York Times bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London.
All her life, Zofia has found comfort in two things during times of hardship: books and her best friend, Janina. But no one could have imagined the horrors of the Nazi occupation in Warsaw. As the bombs rain down and Hitler’s forces loot and destroy the city, Zofia finds that now books are also in need of saving.
With the death count rising and persecution intensifying, Zofia jumps to action to save her friend and salvage whatever books she can from the wreckage, hiding them away, and even starting a clandestine book club. She and her dearest friend never surrender their love of reading, even when Janina is forced into the newly formed ghetto.
But the closer Warsaw creeps toward liberation, the more dangerous life becomes for the women and their families – and escape may not be possible for everyone. As the destruction rages around them, Zofia must fight to save her friend and preserve her culture and community using the only weapon they have left - literature.
My Review: Zofia and her best friend, Janina, are librarians who always had a passion for reading. When the Germans bombed Warsaw, her home, Zofia was separated from her friend Janina who was forced to move to a Jewish ghetto. In an effort to save her friend, Zofia joins the resistance movement. She not only tries to save her friend, but also save thank books that are threatened from being destroyed. Both Zofia and Janina work together to save the written word.
I found both Zofia and Janina to be very relatable and likable. Both of them lived under different circumstances during the Germans’ occupation of Poland. However, they both have a love of reading and have formed a secret book club. They also worked tirelessly to save the books and to promote the written word. I admired their passion, determination, courage, and strength. I liked how both of them were able to make the best of their difficult and troubled times. They were very awe-inspiring characters! Therefore, I was curious to see how their ending would be!
Overall, this book is about friendship, loss, and resilience. I found all of the characters to be very realistic. The setting was very realistic, dark, and gritty! It showed the horrors and tragedies of WWII. I also loved the writing style because it was very evocative and thought-proving! I also liked how the novel discussed banned books! The only thing I did not like about this book was that it was slow, and it took me a while to get invested in the story. Nevertheless,The Keeper of Hidden Books was an emotional journey that was dark but filled with hope! For fans of WWII, you will not want to miss out on this book! I recommend this for fans of The Book Thief, The Blackout Book Club, The Little Wartime Library!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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