The Underground Library

A Novel

By: Jennifer Ryan

Narrated by: Fenella Woolgar

When the Blitz imperils the heart of a London neighborhood, three young women must use their fighting spirit to save the community’s beloved library in this novel based on true events from the author of The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir.

When the new deputy librarian, Juliet Lansdown, finds that Bethnal Green Library isn’t the bustling hub she is expecting, she becomes determined to breathe life back into it. But can she show the men in charge that a woman is up to the task of running the library, especially when a confrontation with her past threatens to derail her?

Katie Upwood is thrilled to be working at the library, although she is only there until she heads off to university in the fall. But after the death of her beau on the front line and amid tumultuous family strife, she finds herself harboring a life-changing secret with no one to turn to for help.

Sofie Baumann, a young Jewish refugee, came to London on a domestic service visa only to find herself working as a maid for a man who treats her abominably. She escapes to the library every chance she can, finding friendship in the literary community and aid in finding her sister, who is still trying to flee occupied Europe.

When a slew of bombs destroys the library, Juliet relocates the stacks to the local Underground station where the city’s residents shelter nightly, determined to lend out stories that will keep spirits up. But tragedy after tragedy threatens to unmoor the women and sever the ties of their community. Will Juliet, Kate, and Sofie be able to overcome their own troubles to save the library? Or will the beating heart of their neighborhood be lost forever?

©2024 Jennifer Ryan (P)2024 Random House Audio

True story heartfelt

I loved everything about this story! I have no words! I do you don’t stop listening . The narrator was the best I’ve ever heard. Her ability to switch between languages was incredible. I will research if she has narrated any other books.
I will listen to this story again, very emotional I became not wanting to stop to sleep! Listened to well into the early
Morning hours . Just beautiful best I’ve ever listened to or ever will.

Great characters who stay with you after the story is over

Great characters with integrity trying to solve really difficult lives during WW2
The first third of the story is so hard to listen to because their situations are so dire…lots of action in the middle and then each persons story eventually worked out in believable ways
Really great at setting the Blitz and all people endured in an accessible way
I love this writer’s style and research that is embedded in her stories

A WWII novel with hope

This book with leave you with a renewed hope. People are quite capable of overcoming the very worst. It shows that God bring triumph out of tragedy.

The Power of Women

Great historical fiction. the characters are strong and show the power of having good friends.

beautiful story!

Story of love books, and community. Highly recommended. Great story and the reading was very well done. A very positive t I've story.

The underground library by Jennifer Ryan.

I love historical fiction and this was really well written and informative about what went on in England during World War II. I have loved all of Jennifer Ryan’s books that I have read so far.

Very Satisfying

I’ve read a lot both fiction and nonfiction about WWII. It was refreshing to read about something that I knew nothing about. I enjoyed the characters and their stories but most importantly I was reminded of the injustices of book banning in Nazi Germany and how it has garnered so much attention and success in our current society. It is indeed a step backward to free thought and ideas and the myriad stories we’ve enjoyed and have yet to read. Book banning must be banned.

The spirit of all of these women.

As soon as I started the book, I knew I was going to love it, and I did. I listen to it. The narration was so amazing and perfect. What a story of strong women who not only persevered but became stronger because of each other. I love the way. The story demonstrated how important books are to us and our community a book lovers, regardless of where it is and what we’re going through we can always escape into another world and receive inspiration from it. One of the best books I have read in a long time.

Storytelling excellence and historical facts wrapped into one.

I loved the story & especially all of the relationships, also her attention to detailed to the historical facts of the time. Her stories are always on point, but have a lightness and a happiness to them even though it was such a dark time. Thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Sad to see this end!

It was over too soon! I had trouble stepping away from this book, as I kept thinking about the characters when I wasn’t reading it. It does get a bit preachy, not In a religious way but more of the rousing a patriotic crowd kind of way. A really good read about women coping with the Blitz.