The Last Bookshop in London: A Novel of World War II
August 1939. As Hitler’s forces sweep across Europe, Grace Bennett finally achieves her dream of moving to London. But the city she finds is nothing like she imagined. Bunkers line the streets, blackout curtains hang in every window, and war looms on the horizon.
When Grace reluctantly takes a job at Primrose Hill Books, a dusty little bookshop tucked away in the heart of London, she has no idea how much her life is about to change. She’s never been much of a reader. The shop’s grumpy owner wants nothing to do with her. And the world outside is growing darker by the day.
Then the Blitz begins.
As German bombs rain down on London night after night, Grace discovers something extraordinary. Stories have the power to bring people together. They offer hope when everything seems lost. And in the darkest hours of the war, a single bookshop can become a beacon of light for an entire community.
Inspired by the true history of the few bookshops that survived the Blitz, this unforgettable novel is a celebration of courage, friendship, and the remarkable power of books to sustain us through even our darkest days.
Interesting Facts
Instant Bestseller Success: The Last Bookshop in London became a New York Times and USA Today bestseller immediately upon its April 2021 release. The book resonated deeply with readers during the pandemic, offering comfort through its celebration of books and community during crisis.
Five Million Books Burned: On the night of December 29-30, 1940, an estimated 5 million books were lost in the fires caused by incendiary bombs when Paternoster Row, London's publishing heart, was destroyed.
Author’s First WWII Fiction: This was Madeline Martin’s first World War II historical fiction novel. Before this, she had written over 30 Scottish historical romance novels, skills she used to craft Grace’s emotional journey of falling in love with reading.
Protagonist Starts as Non-Reader: Grace Bennett begins the story having never been much of a reader. Martin deliberately chose this to celebrate the transformative power of books and let readers experience falling in love with reading all over again through Grace’s eyes.
Audiobook Narrated by Award Winner: Saskia Maarleveld narrates the audiobook with exceptional skill. Raised in New Zealand and France, she has narrated over 700 audiobooks and seamlessly switches between accents, bringing authentic British voices to the characters.
Author Grew Up in Germany: Madeline Martin spent most of her childhood as an Army brat in Germany, living in Darmstadt, Würzburg, and Bad Kreuznach for about 12 years collectively. This experience sparked her lifelong fascination with history.
Meticulous Historical Accuracy: Aside from the characters and Primrose Hill Books itself, everything in the novel is historically accurate. Even the locations and timing of bombings match historical records, with only one exception Martin made for narrative purposes.
Corporate Career to Full-Time Author: Martin graduated from Flagler College with a business degree and worked in corporate America for years. She wrote at 4:30 AM before work and late at night, averaging five hours of sleep, before finally becoming a full-time author after about 15 years.
Written During the Pandemic: Martin wrote The Last Bookshop in London during the COVID-19 pandemic without being able to travel to London for research. She relied on previous visits, extensive reading, personal accounts, and historical records to bring wartime London vividly to life.
Quotes
"Reading is… It’s going somewhere without ever taking a train or ship, an unveiling of new, incredible worlds. It’s living a life you weren’t born into and a chance to see everything colored by someone else’s perspective. It’s learning without having to face the consequences of failures, and how best to succeed. I think within all of us, there is a void, a gap waiting to be filled by something. For me, that something is books and all their proffered experiences." - George
"It is the duty of the rest of the world to ensure they will never be silenced." - Mr. Evans
"Deeper still was the profound understanding for mankind as she lived in the minds of the characters. Over time, she had found such perspectives made her a more patient person, more accepting of others. If everyone had such an appreciation for their fellow man, perhaps things such as war would not exist." - Madeline Martin
"Ugliness in a person was not born, but created." - Madeline Martin
"Having knowledge is the best way to fight off fear." - Mrs. Weatherford
"You can’t save the world, but keep trying in any small way you can. Such as an old man collecting battered and singed books to keep voices alive. Or finding a story to help a young mother forget her pain. It doesn’t matter how you fight, but that you never, never stop." - Mr. Evans
"There was a special scent to paper and ink, indescribable and unknown to anyone but a true reader. She brought the book to her face, closed her eyes and breathed in that wonderful smell." - Madeline Martin
"Books are what have brought us together. A love of the stories within, the adventures they take us on, their glorious distraction in a time of strife." - Madeline Martin
"Where they burn books, they will ultimately burn people as well." - Madeline Martin
"The spine, not yet stretched, creaked open, like an ancient door preparing to unveil a secret world." - Madeline Martin
"Never apologize for feeling." - Madeline Martin
"You can’t save the world, but keep trying in any small way you can." - Mr. Evans
"No one told her finishing the book would leave her so bereft. It was as though she’d said goodbye for the last time to a close friend." - Madeline Martin
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