Miss Morgan's Book Brigade

A Novel

By: Janet Skeslien Charles

Narrated by: Marin Ireland, Sarah Gadon, Jackie Sanders, Cassandra Campbell

From the New York Times bestselling author Janet Skeslien Charles and based on the true story of Jessie Carson—the American librarian who changed the literary landscape of France—this is “a moving tale of sacrifice, heroism, and inspired storytelling immersed in the power of books to change our lives” (Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author).

1918: As the Great War rages, Jessie Carson takes a leave of absence from the New York Public Library to work for the American Committee for Devastated France. Founded by millionaire Anne Morgan, this group of international women help rebuild destroyed French communities just miles from the front. Upon arrival, Jessie strives to establish something that the French have never seen—children’s libraries. She turns ambulances into bookmobiles and trains the first French female librarians. Then she disappears.

1987: When NYPL librarian and aspiring writer Wendy Peterson stumbles across a passing reference to Jessie Carson in the archives, she becomes consumed with learning her fate. In her obsessive research, she discovers that she and the elusive librarian have more in common than their work at New York’s famed library, but she has no idea their paths will converge in surprising ways across time.

Based on the extraordinary little-known history of the women who received the Croix de Guerre medal for courage under fire, Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade is a “rich, glorious, life-affirming tribute to literature and female solidarity. Simply unforgettable” (Kate Thompson, author of The Wartime Book Club).

©2024 Janet Skeslien Charles (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

The impact of the written word.

I loved the hope that was found in the written word. How important out language is to us.

What a great escape.

I loved the narration and the flow between past and present. The French voices by the narrator were excellent!

Who were the CARDS?

Interesting premise. Enjoyed learning about the CARDS. But, I didn’t have any trouble putting it down.

WONDERFUL history and accurate description of the Women that helped France in WWI

Really well written, interesting characters. Details were captivating. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes to read about strong and brilliant women in history !

So very good

i listen to a lot of books and every now and again you find a gem.
When telling people about the story I described the writing style to a beautiful singer who’s voice and heart paint such a picture you are drawn in.
Well that is what happened with this story... this a one that I will never forget...!

Heartbreakingly Beautiful

This novel is based on an amazing true story. It will appeal to any reader/listener who has an interest in WWI France, librarians, bibliophiles, women’s roles during the time period. It is a beautifully written book with vivid descriptions of the conditions faced by French villagers, soldiers, and those who volunteered to help, the CARDS. Although the topic could be grim, for example the suffering of soldiers who were gassed, the story manages to convey the realities of the setting while at the same time focusing on fiercely determined women who gave everything to help the people of France. Through the use of powerful quotes from many books, it feels as the heroine says, “libraries are rivers”, the story flows from the love of books and libraries and their power to change lives, and ultimately spins quite a beautiful tale.

This is what defines great historical fiction

4.5 STARS. HYBRID-FORMAT REVIEW. In 2023 sometime (it's all a blur), I remember being so excited to hear about Janet Skeslien Charles's forthcoming THE LIBRARIANS OF RUE DE PICARDIE. I absolutely adored THE PARIS LIBRARY, and from the sound of it, this next book would also include many of my favorite ingredients, namely books, libraries & librarians, and France & French language elements. Add to the mix strong and intelligent women characters who bust out glass ceilings to get things done, and SCORE! MAGNIFIQUE! MISS MORGAN'S BOOK BRIGADE (which is what the title ended up being on US copies) checks all my boxes with the bonus of the characters and actions being based on real people and the nearly unimaginable things they accomplished during WWI.

In my review of THE PARIS LIBRARY, I noted that the book was a reminder that there were many unsung heroes and heroines doing extraordinary things and making extraordinary sacrifices during World War II. The same holds true for MISS MORGAN'S BOOK BRIGADE, but it enlightened me to a completely unknown-to-me chapter of World War I. I learned so much about the roles served in France by women from all different countries during the war and about some French history I hadn't learned in my many years of French coursework. Several of the things I read about prompted me to learn more (including about CARD, JP Morgan's daughter Anne, and France's Zone Rouge), and I think that's always the mark of great historical fiction: make me want to learn more.

There is a wide cast of characters in MISS MORGAN'S BOOK BRIGADE, and each of the two timelines have more than one storyline happening. It's a lot, and given the length of the book, there just wasn't time to fully flesh out them all. I enjoyed the dual storylines and points-of-view and how parallels in the lives of Kit and Wendy, some eighty years apart, are revealed. The author does a terrific job of connecting their paths and wrapping up the loose ends, though I was left wanting a bit more about a couple of the main threads.

And HOLY COW. Kit's Readers' Advisory and books she handed out in 1918 are still some of the best, must-read titles of all time (and a nod to the author's librarian skilz). Included were so many beloved titles that I've read, recommended, or still have on my TBR. I really wish I had started writing a list of them as they popped up in the book. Maybe another reader has compiled one? Or perhaps, when I re-read/re-listen, I will make the list myself! (Because retired! And because I can't remember diddly squat. Please don't ask me to tell you any of them.)

I was certain I would like this book, and once I started reading it on NetGalley just before it published, the day it published, I not only bought it in hardcover (from BookPeople in Austin), but also as an audiobook, and those are the formats I primarily used. I'm very glad that I indulged in buying both because it allowed me to go back and forth between formats so I could keep reading -- but with my ears -- when I had other tasks to take care of while wearing my domestic goddess hat (that old chestnut).

I ended up finishing the book -- I thought -- with the audio version, but I wanted to double check something and picked up the hardcover copy to find it. And it's a good thing I did! The print version has an Author's Notes section that is twelve FASCINATING pages long; had I only had the audiobook, I would have missed it entirely. The author's thorough and thoughtful research is even more apparent after reading this section, and it also brought Charles's personality and passion to the page. She's my favorite Francophilian & bibliophilian (I might have created those words just now?) author, and I'm thrilled there's a third book planned in her library trilogy. *grabby hands*

ABOUT THE AUDIOBOOK: There were four narrators, and unfortunately, I don't know which was which! All of them had great pacing, and each character had a distinct voice. Naturally, I really enjoyed the characters who spoke with French accents, and in both the print and audio, I LOVED, LOVED the inclusion of French words and phrases (a nod to the author's French skilz). However, in the audiobook, it was disappointing to hear mispronunciations of French words by characters who were supposed to be fluent/well-schooled in French. And there were some peculiar and clunky English pronunciations scattered in the mix as well. So the audio left a bit to be desired, and the narration faux pas in addition to the omission of the Author's Notes section lead me to recommend reading with your eyes, not your ears, malheureusement.

Overall, reading MISS MORGAN'S BOOK BRIGADE was time very well-spent between the pages, and I anxiously await whatever's next from Janet Skeslien Charles. Her writing is pure gold.

A genuinely beautiful book so worthy to read as well as listen to on Audible

This author has written another masterpiece. It was an absolute pleasure to read this story about extraordinary women. The addition of the mention of so many books I remember reading in my childhood could not have pleased me more. Mention of the precious dog warmed my heart. This author has worked hard to research a story from the past and entertain readers royally. Rereading and listening to this story again is on my to do list. I should have known this book would be the rich read that it is. It exceeded my expectations. Readers will be missing out if they pass up the opportunity to read this exceptionally exquisite book. Thank you, Janet Skeslien Charles for the hard work,time,and effort you put into the writing of this book.

Great story line

I Liked the story about the lives and trials of the Cards. Liked the use of different voices playing the parts.

This true story is sadly not well known.

The author brought these brave women to life and championed their struggles and successes so the world will take notice.