The Little Wartime Library

By: Kate Thompson

Narrated by: Sarah Durham

Length: 12 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

An uplifting and inspiring novel based on the true story of a librarian who created an underground shelter during World War II, perfect for fans of The Paris Library or The Last Bookshop in London.

London, 1944: Clara Button is no ordinary librarian. While war ravages the city above her, Clara has risked everything she holds dear to turn the Bethnal Green tube station into the country’s only underground library. Down here, a secret community thrives with thousands of bunk beds, a nursery, a café, and a theater—offering shelter, solace, and escape from the bombs that fall upon their city.

Along with her glamorous best friend and 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 may come at the price of keeping those closest to them alive.

©2023 Kate Thompson (P)2023 Forever

Critic reviews

"A heartwarming story of how friendship and the written word sustain us in the toughest times."—Janet Skeslien Charles, USA Today bestselling author of The Paris Library

"Gripping, emotional and uplifting."—Gill Paul, USA Today bestselling author of The Secret Wife

"A captivating tale about the power of libraries and how they connect us . . . [a] fascinating slice of history."—Andie Newton, author of The Girls from the Beach

Love this book!

I had no knowledge about this long term underground existence. I knew they took shelter in the underground but not that they lived there. The story brings you into the experience.

Profound and moving

Now that I have finished this audiobook, I sit here a bit bewildered. What a powerful, deeply meaningful book. I love books that shake me like this and leave me wondering what is next when I finished. I can’t speak highly enough of the story and I grew to love the narrator as well.

Thank you

For this interesting piece of history, where I have traveled through on the underground, not knowing the story, and not too far from where my mother was born in 1925.

Ok hear me out…

I LOVED this book- seriously loved it- but I had a thought:

You know how you read a book and think that a movie would never do the book justice? As I was listening to this book, I could not help thinking that this story told through a movie would actually make it BETTER. Just a thought!

The Farmer’s Daughter Loved this book, the author and the narrator!!!

I loved everything about this book! this book, Including the author and the narrator!!! I will be watching out for more of their work!

Great Book Lover’s Book

I absolutely loved this book. Just enough mystery, love, history, and book-love! The narrator was perfect for the book.

Captivating story!!

I LOVED this book!! The narrator did an amazing job portraying different characters. I was riveted throughout the whole book, wanting to drive for hours without stopping.

Love This Book!

First of all, I love all the research the author did prior to writing this book. This was such a great story and to know that actual historical facts were weaved into the book made it even more endearing. The author notes at the end was astounding and shed so much light. The narrator was awesome. I do recommend this book.

Highly recommend!!!

Was captivated from the start. Could not stop listening! Story, characters, and narration was excellent! So far my favorite Audible Book to date!

A great story for book lovers

What a wonderful work of historical fiction, I loved learning about the underground library, and the authors note at the end were terrific