The Air Raid Book Club
Annie Lyons
Reviewed by Helen
This is heart-breaking and heart-warming story all rolled into one, it is 1938 in London and It appears that another war is close, Gertie Bingham is still struggling after the loss of her beloved husband Harry and is running Bingham Books with a couple of staff, books mean so much to Gertie and she has a very good clientele in the small village.
Times are hard but when Gertie is asked by close friend Charles who is working for the Red Cross to take a young German Jewish child after they have been evacuated from Germany in, although worried she says yes and fifteen year old Hedy Fischer arrives, at first it is hard for them both Hedy is missing her family and Gertie is unsure about caring for a child and is worried she will not be able to do it.
Once war is declared and the bombs start dropping Gertie and Hedy along with Hemingway the dog become very close especially while spending many hours in the bomb shelter they both love reading and soon they bring more and more people in when they start The Air Raid Book Club with many books discussed, the varied personalities of the members makes for some wonderful times together.
This is a beautifully written story that will have you in tears and cheering them all on with what they go through, I loved it very much, it shows that books can make a big difference to people’s lives. I loved all of the characters in this book young, old, grumpy and easy going. I do highly recommend this one it is a wonderful story of strength and courage.
Times are hard but when Gertie is asked by close friend Charles who is working for the Red Cross to take a young German Jewish child after they have been evacuated from Germany in, although worried she says yes and fifteen year old Hedy Fischer arrives, at first it is hard for them both Hedy is missing her family and Gertie is unsure about caring for a child and is worried she will not be able to do it.
Once war is declared and the bombs start dropping Gertie and Hedy along with Hemingway the dog become very close especially while spending many hours in the bomb shelter they both love reading and soon they bring more and more people in when they start The Air Raid Book Club with many books discussed, the varied personalities of the members makes for some wonderful times together.
This is a beautifully written story that will have you in tears and cheering them all on with what they go through, I loved it very much, it shows that books can make a big difference to people’s lives. I loved all of the characters in this book young, old, grumpy and easy going. I do highly recommend this one it is a wonderful story of strength and courage.
5 stars
July 11, 2023 by Hachette Australia
