#Blogtour The Keeper of Hidden Books by Madeline Martin

It's a pleasure to take part in the Blogtour The Keeper of Hidden Books by Madeline Martin.

About the Author

Madeline Martin is a New York Times and International Bestselling author of historical fiction and historical romance novels filled with twists and turns, adventure, steamy romance, empowered heroines and the men who are strong enough to love them. Follow @MadelineMMartin on X (the artist formerly known as Twitter)

About the book

A heart-warming story about the power of books to bring us together, inspired by the true story of the underground library in WWII Warsaw, by the NYT bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London.

It is 1939, and nothing could prepare Marta and Janina for the Nazi occupation of their homes and families in Warsaw. Friends since childhood, the two women couldn’t be more different – Marta is Polish and a stubborn, practical planner; Janina is half-Jewish with fanciful ideas of war and heroism.

But as the bombs rain down on Warsaw and Hitler’s forces surround the city, a series of tragedies spur them to action. Both avid readers, they find ways to join the war efforts using one of the only weapons that still feel safe to them: literature.

While Marta and her father become active in the underground and work to salvage books in danger of being destroyed, Janina aids a secret library in the ghetto, lending and delivering books to orphans.

As the round ups and executions intensify, these books become a life preserver for members of their community. But the closer Warsaw gets to liberation, the more dangerous it becomes for the women and their families – and escape may not be possible for everyone. Through the destruction and death raging around them, Marta and Janina must fight to preserve their culture and community, finding hope in each other in order to survive.

Review

In 1939, Marta and Janina are aware of another possible German encroachment, but matters of education and reading books on the banned books list seem far more important. Overnight their world is changed to one of destruction, fear and intimidation, as Warsaw loses the battle to hold off their enemy and oppressor.

Jews are targeted, opposing voices are silenced, and the underground resistance begins a fraught battle of survival. Small moments and actions become monumental, such as saving books from the hands that seek to destroy them. The same hands who plan to systematically eradicate Poland's leaders and intellectuals, their culture and their literature. To break the country by breaking the spirit of its people.

I think it's important to keep revisiting certain moments in history, especially if there is a possibility of  avoiding the same atrocities again. It's equally important to remember the victims, the losses and both the named and unnamed people who tried to save, help, comfort and oppose. This book does all of that, and also gives a glimpse into the planned and well executed destruction the Nazi regime showered upon its own country and the many countries they invaded.

Kudos to the author for creating a story around the perhaps lesser known historical facts and situation in Warsaw, during the German occupation in WW2. When I say lesser known I mean outside of the more commonly known facts, because they are certainly known the people of Poland. That includes the interesting connection of the Guides and Scouts and their involvement during this period in history.

It's a riveting story of perseverance, of resistance, friendship, loss and tragedy - one based on factual historical events, which makes it even more poignant.

Buy The Keeper of Hidden Books at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher ‏: ‎ Hanover Square Press pub date 1 Aug. 2023. Buy at Amazon com.