Especially in this season, I’m thankful for you, reader, and I hope you’ll have a few moments to reflect on who and what you’re thankful for.
This month, I’m pleased to offer both a book review and an interview with the author! I hope you enjoy them!
My Review:
In this moment, The Air Raid Book Club might be just the right read for you, as it was for me. Although the story is set in England during the dark days of the Blitz in World War II, many of this novel’s characters reveal a refreshing humanity and care for each other that often seems missing in the world today.
Many twists and turns, with both sparkling and grievous moments, immerse readers in the story of Gertie, an ordinary woman who owns a bookstore in Beechwood, a non-descript section of southeast London. She ponders, what can she can do to counter fear and despair? These are her eventual responses:
• She starts a book club, bringing people together to discuss books, forge ideas, and inspire history
• She takes in Hedy, a Jewish teen refugee from Germany
In spite of Gertie’s good intentions, Hedy doesn’t bond well with her host. One of this novel’s strong points is the clear portrayal of how their relationship, and those of other characters, evolve through the story.
Major Characters:
Gertie—protagonist, a humble heroine who brings people together
Harry—Gertie’s sweet husband
Charles—friend of Gertie’s husband, a supportive friend to Gertie after her husband’s death
Hedy—German teen whom Gertie takes in from the Kindertransport, saving her from the Nazis
Margery Fortescue—wealthy widow with a strong personality
Strengths:
Clear, heart-warming portrayal of how characters’ relationships evolve through the story
Satisfying ending
Variety of characters, each with a distinct personality and viewpoint
Author’s skill in weaving literature and bookshops into the story
Weakness:
Although this novel includes plenty of action to propel the story forward, it also includes passages containing characters’ reflections, so it probably won’t be a good fit for readers who prefer action adventure thriller stories
Content review:
Includes violence and death connected with World War II and the Blitz
My recommendation:
If you enjoy a historically accurate story that’s warm-hearted and life-affirming, while not shying from the tragic details of the Blitz in WWII, I would recommend The Air Raid Book Club.
Author Interview with Annie Lyons:
What triggered your decision to create this story?
There were many sources of inspiration for this book, one of them being Eudora Honeysett, the main character from my previous novel. I had so enjoyed writing the flashback scenes in that book, transporting the reader back to the Second World War and other moments in history, that I decided I wanted to write my first full historical fiction novel. It was 2021, in the middle of the pandemic and I had noticed how communities were supporting one another during these difficult times. It made me think about similarities with how communities rallied during the Second World War and the seed of an idea was planted. Added to this, I’ve always wanted to write a novel set in a bookshop about the power of books and reading and how important they can be in dark times. Gertie began to emerge as I found myself struggling to read or engage with stories for a while and I imagined a character who was ready to give up on her bookshop and move away. Hedy’s character came about after I read and listened to accounts of Jewish children who fled Nazi Germany before the start of the Second World War. It was their spirit of optimism and hope which inspired me to write this story as Hedy and Gertie’s bond grows through a love of books and reading.
It’s obvious that you do careful research in the development of your scenes and characters. What sources helped you fill in the details and context for this novel?
Research was tricky as I was writing this book during lockdown so the internet became my best friend! The Imperial War Museum online was a huge source of information. It’s a fantastic resource. Online, I listened to accounts of Kindertransport children, now adults, who came to live in the UK. Their stories and spirit were a big source of inspiration. I also love the BBC’s archived resource, The People’s War. It’s a treasure trove of personal stories which are often heartbreaking, often funny but all completely wonderful. I read a great deal too. Millions Like Us by Virginia Nicholson was a book which started as a springboard for the whole idea as it deals with the role of women during the war. I also had to understand bookselling from the start of the twentieth century and found a wonderful book called ‘The Truth About Bookselling’ by Thomas Joy.
What was the biggest surprise in researching this story?
How the role of women changed forever as a result of the Second World War. They literally went from sitting in the passenger seat to driving the truck!
What’s the ratio of fact to fiction in this story?
The bones of the story are all factual. I followed the course of the Second World War and its events as closely as I could. The fictionalized parts are the town of Beechwood itself and Bingham Books. As I was writing this novel during lockdown and couldn’t visit bookshops, it was a treat to be able to create one from my imagination!
What were the most challenging aspects of writing this novel?
Deciding which historical details to include and which to leave out! I love history and am particularly fascinated by the Second World War so I’d often get lost down research rabbit holes and probably have enough material for at least another five books!
What did you enjoy about writing this novel?
I loved so much of it. Losing myself in the past was particularly wonderful. I’d also always wanted to write a book set in a bookshop so this was a dream come true and choosing the books for Gertie and Hedy’s book club (and the quotations which start each chapter) really appealed to my booklover’s heart.
Beyond entertainment, what would you want a reader to walk away with after reading The Air Raid Book Club?
To remember this part of history and the profound effect it had on the world and to be proud of the role that women played during that time.