Kate Thompson’s exploration of what the ‘little’ person can achieve in the face of adversity is truly inspirational. The author visiting the spot in Bethnal Green Underground where the library once stood, in the pandemic. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

True story from the East End of London during WWII: The Bethnel Green library was destroyed by German bombs during the Blitz, and much of the surrounding neighborhood was destroyed as well. In a bit of serendipity, the Bethnel Green Tube station had not yet been put into service, so the space became the underground home for the community's displaced people. There was a cafe, a theater, ranks upon ranks of bunk beds, and a library. I’ve become rather jaded by book titles containing the word ‘little’ but here it is incredibly apt. Great book and I learned a great deal, especially about the tragedy that happened at Bethnal Green in 1943. I did a bit of reading up on it, and I love the memorial that was created to honour those who lost their lives.These ‘youngsters’ are now in their nineties, and memories of the little library are embedded in their hearts. “It was a sanctuary to me,” Pat, now 92 and living in Berkshire, told me. “By 1943, I was 14 and there had been so much horror, the Blitz, the Tube disaster. You can’t imagine what that library represented to me as a place of safety. It sparked a life-long love of reading.”

The author’s note at the end was as enjoyable as the novel! This is essential reading for bibliophiles around the world. Along with her glamorous best friend and library assistant Ruby Munroe, Clara ensures the library is the beating heart of life underground. But as the war drags on, the women's determination to remain strong in the face of adversity is tested to the limits when it seems it may come at the price of keeping those closest to them alive.These ‘youngsters’ are now in their 90s, and memories of the little library are embedded in their hearts. “It was a sanctuary to me,” Pat, now 92 and living in Berkshire, told me. “By 1943, I was 14 and there had been so much horror: the Blitz, the Tube disaster. You can’t imagine what that library represented to me as a place of safety. It sparked a life-long love of reading.” The crowd murmurs in anticipation. There is a drumroll. The presenter is given the envelope. It’s opened and I say….. A gripping and heart-wrenching novel set in London in World War Two, following the two women who run a secret underground library Romance sat alongside literary classics, children’s books, poetry and plays. Treasure Island, The Secret Garden and many other classics, including Enid Blyton, nourished young minds and helped children to escape the nightmares above. During the war, the facilities were amazing down the Tube; it had everything you needed. There was even a mobile hairdresser, who used to come down the tunnels doing people’s hair out in rags before bed so they woke up with nice curly hair. Terrific!

Beautifully written with emotion this story is based on true events is heart-breaking and heart-warming at the same time as we see Clara and Ruby stand up for the people who need this library, Clara is the most caring person as is Ruby both have been through so much and deserve happiness. I loved getting to know the people who live in this underground world, I cried with them and cheered them one, anyone who loves reading and loves a library must read this story, it truly shows what a library means to so many people. I highly recommend this story, I loved it.

Bethan Green’s magical library with Kate Thompson

Based on real life events, Kate Thompson has penned a beautifully written fictional story, which oozes strength and courage, resilience, resistance, and defiance. And the mainstay at the heart of this story is Clara Button. This is such a beautiful, heartwarming, heartbreaking, and inspirational book on so many different levels. While the book is filled with a lot of heart-wrenching moments, it left me feeling so much love for the characters and story. The writing was perfection and it was easy to devour. The Little Wartime Library is easily one of my favourite books this year and absolutely worth the read. This book is a shining testament to the strength of women during the war. Clara Button is a young widow and the librarian at a wholly underground library. There is a whole community which has sprung up in a disused underground station - a good place to hide when there are bombs falling up above which are destroying your community and killing your friends and family. Clara's best friend is Ruby, a girl who couldn't be more different from Clara if she tried. Despite their differences in personality, they are very close and it is their friendship which gets them both through. Both young women have been through trauma in their pasts and Ruby is still trying to help her mum deal with her abusive second husband. The enforced silence just compounded the survivors’ feelings of guilt. Rescuers’ hair turned grey overnight, whole families were torn apart – Patsy lost five members of her family on her father’s side.

In September 1940 after a bomb damaged their local library branch, librarian Clara Button and Ruby Munroe created the country’s only underground library in the unfinished Bethnal Green tube station, 78 feet below ground - the only place where the bombs couldn’t be heard. Their aim was to offer solace and foster a joy of reading amongst the East Enders. My favourite character throughout was Ruby. Bold, brassy and brave she epitomised the bulldog tenacity of the Eastend people. She's certainly someone you would want to have as an ally. She was, almost, like Clara's conscience. Encouraging her and pushing her to do things she might have let go. The friendship between them was special.Well, the book club belter, as I've called it, is made up of three key ingredients. Gin, gin and gin. I'm joking. There is a bit of orange cordial in it', she said, winking as she topped Pat up. 'But I don't like to go too heavy handed on the cordial'. He added: “In the library the youngsters are vocally busy with their book-selection, but why should they not chatter to their heart’s content?” The role of the library during war -- based on a true story -- is revealed in this gripping historical novel featuring courageous librarian Clara and her lively assistant Ruby: