Disclosure: This book was provided to me at no cost in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recently I have been enjoying some fiction books set in war time. I'm not interested in combat details but I'm fascinated with the ways women contributed to war efforts and morale. Amy Lynn Green's new book entitled The Blackout Book Club combines my interest in libraries and books with fictionalized accounts of how women might have stayed busy during war.
Set in 1940, The blackout Book Club introduces us to Avis, who promises her librarian brother she will work at the town's private library so it doesn't have to close. It's important to note it is a private, not public library. It's owned by wealthy spinster Louse, who only keeps it running because it was important to her late father. Louise wants to do her part for the war, and decides it would be best to close the library and convert it into an affordable child care centre for mother who are now working. She informs Avis of this plan. but in an attempt to save the library, Avis blurts out that she is starting a book club to give people something to do in the evenings, when blackout restrictions are enforced. Louise agrees to this, but only for a certain length of time, until renos are set to begin. What's more, Louise wants to attend the meetings! But Avis was a bit hasty in her plan, since she doesn't actually know anyone who would attend book club. She manages to recruit a couple women, and slowly their little club grows. But is this newfound purpose enough to change Louise's mind about closing the library? As we read about the importance of literature we are introduced to other characters, Ginny, Martina, and Freddy who, along with Louise, have their own secrets and pasts they are trying to move on from.
What I liked:
As I said, I'm fascinated by the domestic and community minded efforts of women during war time. We often hear about those who worked in factories or on farms, but not so much about the other roles, perhaps the less official roles. Avis is the model of domesticity, reading her women's magazines that tell her how to treat her husband, what not to do, and even how to handle an air raid drill or attack. She is neat and orderly and the picture of calm in chaos. But when her marriage is threatened by the terrible advice she reads, Avis really learns that she can speak her mind and be honest with her husband. Avis is also a caring friend and she really pulls the community together with her book club. I liked how there are multiple main characters and we get to know more about them and their struggles. They are all unique and likeable. I'm glad this book didn't go into gory details about war because that is not what I'm interested in. I've noticed war time women are often portrayed as the picture of "keep calm and carry on", almost acting as if war is not happening at all. They are trying to keep a sense of normalcy and ignorance. But Avis is not like that, none of the characters are. Avis knows a war is happening, knows what's at stake, and she is preparing for it. But she also does her best to keep living her life as normal as possible.
What I didn't like:
I would have liked to hear more of a wrap up with all the players, not just Avis. This book is a Christian book but there were no mentions of God, besides Martina saying her rote Catholic prayers. No Bible verses either. This is a very clean story, even suitable for teen readers, but it's not fair to call it Christian fiction. We read that a church has blackout curtains draped over their stained glass windows, but nobody in the story actually attends church. Nobody prays, again besides Martina, during difficult times.
I found this book a little slow going but once I got a few chapters in I was hooked. It is a great read and I recommend it if you enjoy books about librarians, classic literature, or war efforts. It should be noted this is probably a women
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."
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