This book is an emotional story about a librarian in Berlin who, along with her friends and co-workers, strives to protect as many books as possible from destruction by Hitler's regime. The story also details the highs and lows of her family life as she works to balance her work and personal life while avoiding capture. Escobar is a wonderful storyteller who engages his readers emotionally and sensorily. One cannot read his work and remain detached or passive.
I am one of those people who read historical fiction, frequently fact checking to determine which parts are true and which are fiction. I was unable to find much at all about librarian Helene Nathan.At the end of the book, Escobar offers clarifications from history, revealing that very little of Helene Nathan's story matches the story told in Library of Forbidden Books. To say that that was a big disappointment is an understatement. If the notes at the beginning of the book had given a heads up, or if the author had chosen to make the character fully fictional, this let down could have been avoided. That is the only drawback to this intense read.
I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.
