The Library Girls of the East End by Patricia McBride - #bookreview #blogtour

 

Lady Carmichael looked at her daughter in dismay. 'You're not serious! The East End of London? Why on earth would you want to work there? All sorts of unsavoury people live there. Poor people, immigrants, criminals, Jews.' She frowned. 'And where is this Silvertown? I've never heard of it. Is it the principal London centre for making jewellrey?'

'No Mother. It's part of the East End, between Canning Town and the Thames.'

Her mother's eyes widened. 'Really, Cordelia, that sounds just dreadful...'

***

1940, London

When Cordelia accepts the post of head librarian in Silver Town Library, her mother is more than a little disapproving. The East End has high levels of poverty and illiteracy, and her mother says it’s no place for a woman of her status.

But Cordelia is determined to make a difference in these times of strife, and along with her colleagues, Jane and Mavis, she begins to help the local community, making sure everyone knows what the library can offer them.

And maybe even a romance will blossom, giving Cordelia the strength to make it through the chaos and destruction that constantly threatens their livelihood.

Against a background of war, air raids and rationing, it becomes clear the library is more than a building filled with books - it is the beating heart of a community refusing to be torn apart.

***

The older I get the more I like this kind of feel-good fiction. Or maybe, it is just that there is just so much misery in the world at the moment, that I love to escape into a world that lifts my spirits. Whatever the reason, I was delighted to be part of the blog tour for this book. 

The main characters in this book, Cordelia, Mavis and Jane are a wonderful mix of personalities.  I loved the straight talking East Ender, Mavis. I was born and grew up not too far from where the book is set and I certainly recognised Mavis, as well as many of the secondary characters.

Through both the narrative and dialogue, the author has imbued an authenticity to the setting of this book. I have vivid memories of my parents describing the East End during the Second World War, and it was very easy for me to slip this story into those descriptions.

There are lots of themes running throughout this book; rape and domestic abuse are mentioned (although not witnessed on the page) and the author deals with them with sensitivity and compassion. However, alongside this there are happier themes of friendship and a good dose of romance thrown in.

All in all, it was a delightful book which I highly recommend. This is the first in a brand new series from Patricia McBride, and I can hardly wait to see what comes next.

ISBN: 978 1785139918

Publisher:  Boldwood Books

Formats:  e-book, audio, hardback and paperback (currently available on Kindle Unlimited)

No. of Pages:  248 (paperback)

About the Author:

Patricia McBride is the author of the very popular Lily Baker historical saga series. She is now writing a new WW2 series for Boldwood, based in the East End of London during the Blitz, the first title of which, The Library Girls of the East End, will be published in November 2023.

(ARC and media courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)

(all opinions are my own)