The Wartime Book Club cover art

The Wartime Book Club

a gripping and heart-warming new story of love, bravery and resistance in WW2, inspired by a true story

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The Wartime Book Club

By: Kate Thompson
Narrated by: Imogen Church
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About this listen

 *BASED ON A TRUE STORY, CONTAINS 50+ PAGES OF EXTRA CONTENT ON THE REAL PEOPLE THE BOOK IS INSPIRED BY*

Jersey, 1943. When the German Army invades the tranquil island, librarian Grace La Motée is determined to keep her services running. Ordered to destroy books which threaten the Nazi regime, she refuses, instead hiding them away and fighting back by forming a book club: a lifeline to help islanders escape the terror of war, one chapter at a time.

But soon Grace's quiet acts of bravery become even more perilous. She's harbouring dangerous secrets - ones that put her life in danger - and when tensions turn to violence, she is forced to face the true, terrible cost of resistance . . .

Based on astonishing real events, The Wartime Book Club is a love letter to the power of books in the darkest of times - as well as a moving page-turner that brings to life the remarkable, untold story of an island at war.

EVERYONE LOVES THE WARTIME BOOK CLUB:

'Wish I could give it more stars' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I was utterly enthralled . . . it reminds us how strong we can be in the face of adversity' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Tears, laughs and genuine love for all the characters in this book' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A heartwarming tale . . . shows against all odds and hardships people can survive' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Full of wonderful characters and their determination to get through the worst times' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

AND SO DO YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHORS...
'One of the very best books I've read in a long time' PETER JAMES
'Engaging' RACHEL HORE
'Both heartwarming and heartbreaking' GILL PAUL
'A poignant masterpiece' MADELINE MARTIN
'A book to be savoured and remembered' GILL THOMPSON©2024 Kate Thompson 20th Century Fiction Friendship Genre Fiction Historical Fiction War & Military Women's Fiction Feel-Good Heartfelt

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Critic reviews

One of the very best books I've read in a long time. A gripping, emotional rollercoaster and a true hymn to the power and spirit of novels
A beautiful wartime story of bravery and books
A poignant masterpiece that paints a vivid picture of Nazi-occupied life on the isle of Jersey and illustrates how books can truly provide hope in the darkest of times . . . raw and real, this story will pull at your heart
An engaging, beautifully researched story of love, courage and resistance in time of war and danger
A beautiful novel about love, courage, hope and friendship in the darkest of times . . . A book to be savoured and remembered
At the core of the novel is the library, and a book group that met there, finding strength and solace in reading during the worst of times. Both heartwarming and heartbreaking, this is an unforgettable page-turner
Bravery, traitors, acts of defiance and compassion for others . . . with characters so real that I laughed and wept along with them
A story of bravery and the cost of small acts of defiance, and it will stay with me for a long time. Simply outstanding!
A wonderful, poignant, heartwarming story of the power of books, the strength of the human spirit, and how selfless acts for the good of others is food for the soul
The courage and daring of [Kate Thompson's] characters was breathtaking . . . a stunning novel'
This, for me, is historical fiction at its finest - a story of believable, vividly-drawn people trying to live in a world so very different from our own
Engrossing and well-researched . . . A compelling story of resilience and rebellion in the most testing of times
An absolute treasure of a read . . . it's a book about women first and foremost - their strength, their friendships, their profound courage - and it's also an extended love letter to books and libraries; the unique power stories have to unite people, to bring hope and comfort in the very darkest of times. By turns heartwrenching and harrowing, humorous and warm, it is completely absorbing and ultimately uplifting
I was captivated by this propulsive, darkly beautiful novel about love, wartime occupation, and the power of reading. Kate Thompson is a master storyteller
Kate Thompson delivers another heartfelt story with her signature impeccable research and cast of wonderfully endearing characters. She is the master at writing books about both the power of books and the power of women, a combination I adore
A piercing novel . . . This book take its rightful place on the shelves dedicated to Jersey's war, and reminds us only too powerfully of the essential comfort of literature in despairing times
All stars
Most relevant
Wonderfully written and beautifully narrated. Get caught up in the lives of family, friends and allies on the island of Jersey during the WW2 occupation.

A book I will return to, especially with the plethora of resources provided.

Keep doing what you do Kate

Immersive story

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My enjoyment of this novel was enhanced by the knowledge that it was based on real facts. I quickly became invested in the characters and was very impressed by the bravery of individuals who put their own lives at risk to save others during the occupation of Jersey. I learned a great deal about the courage of those working for the Post Office and the libraries. I found learning about the reasons for the banned books so interesting and I have driven friends crackers by sharing my ‘did you know’ facts. Without giving anything away in the story, I was appalled by the Jersey residents who gave up their own people to the Germans. What an awful thought, but war is a terrible process and some people’s moral codes were tested to the limit too! I found the story compelling and also enjoyed the extra information from Kate Thompson at the end. What a lot of research she undertook to make events as real as possible. Informative and enjoyable, I’d thoroughly recommend this book as I would The Little Wartime Library by the same author.

Selfless bravery

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A vey interesting and emotional story completely ruined by the narrator, the way some of the characters were portrayed would be better suited to the narration of a children’s book.

Terrible narration

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A fabulous story to listen to, it’s takes to you back in time were you could only imagine how people felt when they woke up to another day knowing what ever they did or who they talked to could be there last.

Worth it

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If I could give this 6 stars, I would. As a Channel Islander of a post-war generation, I think this book is beautifully written and reflects a lot of what happened. I think this book should be read by anyone who doesn’t know what happened in the Islands In WWII

Brilliantly executed

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