The Last Bookshop in London: A Moving WWII Historical Fiction Novel of Community, Survival and the Sanctuary of Literature in Troubling Times

This was a very sweet, endearing story of a bookstore operated by lovely people during WWII. The facts of the war taking place in London were accurate. The heart of the English people was well described by the author. You felt as though you were right there with the characters. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to be fully immerced in a great read.

What was life like in London during the relentless bombing of WWII? An exciting story is told through the eyes of a young woman, whose courage, determination, and perseverance help her survive. The British do not quit and this period piece includes tragedy, resilience, and a love story. Very good read! Characters are well developed. Enjoy!

One of the most heartfelt stories I’ve read this year so far. I have always loved stories about bookshops. “The Last Bookshop in London” has all the elements that draw a reader in. For example, historical content – WWII; a historical place – London, England. The characters tug at you heartstrings and get you vested in their emotions thru their words and actions. Every line of dialogue moves the story along. There are gems of wisdom on the meaning of why we love to read. For example, taking us somewhere we have never been or taking us away from our daily trials and tribulations. Most of all to remind us what is really important; what matters and unites us. Tragedy strikes in war times, lives and loved ones are lost, but life goes on. The quality of life depends on you and how you share with those in need, even if it as little as reading them a story. This is a must read.

This book was a treat for me! Love of books, historical fiction and the message of hope during tough times. I am asking Madeline Martin to " Please, please write more historical fiction. Carefully researched and written with a great deal of love, this book is exactly what I need right now. Set in London in August 1939, Grace Bennett and her best friend head from the countryside to inside London. Her uncle refused to give her a letter of recommendation even though she had worked at his store, not because she was a poor worker but to sum it up, he was a mean person. That made getting a job in London very tough but her landlord. Mrs. Weatherford, who I grew to love, made sure that she was hired at the Primrose Hill Bookshop. The owner only agreed to a six month job as a bookclerk for her. And it she had to really talk him into it. The shop was dusty and there were piles of books and even she wasn't a reader, she set about cleaning, and putting the books in order, trying to get a good recommendation. A romance s began between her and one handsome male book browser. War comes, and many changes happen and Grace becomes an avid reader. Learning that during times of grief and suffering, books give you hope. I listened to this historically detailed book and cried and smiled and loved this book so much. I do hope that you read it.

Loved, absolutely!

This is not your typical WWII novel; the focus is not the war, the Holocaust, soldiers, battles, Nazi Occupation, etc. Instead it is a beautiful story about how books can unite, inspire, and encourage people even in the worst of times. Grace and her friend Viv move to London from the countryside hoping to begin a life of glamor and adventure only to find themselves drawn into the start of England's involvement in WWII. While Viv volunteers with the ATS, Grace stays in London with her late mother's best friend. We get a detailed account of what life was like in London during the Blitz. Grace works at a small Bookshop where she finds a new love of reading which she shares with others as her position in the store grows. This novel is a true testament to the power of books; how they provide an escape from reality and the strength to carry on. I know personally books have been my escape from reality when life is just too much. I know others feel the same way.

Like Belle in Beauty and the Beast, I have just read the most wonderful book. This is the story of Grace who has lost her home after her mother died. She moves to London with her best friend, Viv, to live in the home of her mother's best friend, Mrs. Weatherford. War is looming and London is not what they expected since everything is being prepared for Hitler's invasion. Grace gets a job at a bookshop. It is messy and disorganized, but she organizes it, and it becomes a place to come during the war. Even with the Blitz, Primrose Hill Bookshop is the place to go. I could not put this down. I loved and identified so much with Grace. Viv is the total opposite of Grace but best friends forever. Mrs. Weatherford and her son, Colin, are great. In her, Grace and Viv have found a mother. Colin is so gentle, not made for the war. Mr. Evans, owner of the bookshop, is full of wisdom but with a gruff exterior. Grace wins him over, and he trusts her with his bookshop and secrets. George Anderson, a customer at first, teaches her about books before going to war as a pilot. So many characters touch Grace's life as she does theirs. Grace becomes an air warden and I learned so much of what they did which is a lot more than telling people to douse their lights. Grace and Mr. Stokes, her partner during her scheduled times as a warden, become friends. There is so much here that I don't want to spoil the story. There are many layers and good feelings I got from this book. I will tell you keep a box of kleenex by your side. You'll never know when you'll need them. This is definitely on my top 5 list of books I read this year. I cannot encourage you enough to read this. It is wonderful!

A great story idea but the writing left me out in the cold. Why do Americans think they can write books in English settings and then trip themselves up by saying ‘faucet’ instead of ‘tap’ or ‘sidewalk’ instead of ‘footpath’? Grrr, so annoying. Rosamunde Pilcher the author is not.

It takes a wild talent to craft a novel about WW2 that leaves the reader sincerely and truly uplifted, changed, and more openhearted. Just beautiful, never gratuitous, always endearing and wise. Amazing book. Thank you!

第二次世界大戦時のナチスドイツによるロンドン大空襲（The Blitz) 下でのロンドンの人々の生活を描いた物語。このテーマは、 Pat Barker の Noonday などを読んで、当時のロンドンの人々の苛酷な中にも勇敢な行動について知った。本書は、その時期、書店で働く若い女性を主人公として、読みやすく感動的な物語となっている。 書店を少しでも居心地のよい場所にしようと、懸命にとりくむ Grace。最初はかたくなな態度だった書店主Mr. Evans とのやがて生まれる深い心の絆。書店を訪れる人々との交流。しかし温かな生活も束の間、戦争が始まる。Norfork の田舎町から一緒にロンドンに来た親友の Viv は Harrods に職を得ていたが、やがて ATS (国防婦人部隊）に入る。 寄宿先（亡き母親の友人）の息子 Colin は戦地へ赴く。Grace も昼間は書店で働く傍ら、夜間は ARP warden (空襲監視員）となって活動する。パートナーの Mr. Stokes に最初は疎んじられるが、命がけの行動を共にしていく中で、強い信頼関係が生まれる。 空襲警報が鳴るたびに人々はシェルターに駆け込み、地下鉄 Farringdon Station のホームも避難所となる。書店で知り合った空軍兵士 George の影響で、読書に魅入られていった Grace は、書店で、あるいは地下鉄の避難所で、いろいろな本を朗読し、人々に安らぎを与えるのだ。 本書は、Grace の成長とともに、人々との温かな繫がり、戦争の苛酷さ、その中でも勇気や希望を失わないロンドンの人々の気概を描いて、良質な作品となっている。

If there are times when you need something to lift you from the mundane to the extraordinary, to inspire and cheer you up or to bring tears of sheer emotion to your eyes, then read this book. A study of human nature and the strength of the human spirit , it is a story to make you feel blessed, alive and motivated.

It is magically unique in its portrayal of compassion and fortitude. Seldom one reads such an emotional, powerful, journey told in such a straightforward style, truly superb!

What a wonderful read! Grace Bennett arrives with her lifelong best friend in London just as war breaks out. The next five years bring love, loss, and a whole new world of literature into Grace’s life, all written in a way that transports you back to an afternoon in Primrose Hill Books listening to Grace’s latest reading session. For anyone with a love of everything books, especially traditional bookshops, this is a must read that never failed to keep this reader spellbound from start to finish.