Genre: Historical Fiction - WW2

Narrator: Christa Lewis

Literature matters. Librarians matter. The protest of right minded citizens matters. Love matters. All of these and more are illustrated through Brianna Libuskes’ The Lost Book of Bonn. When librarian Emmy Clarke travels to Germany at the close of WWII to work towards restoring books that the Nazis confiscated to their owners, she is mourning the death of her soldier husband. Her response to a beautifully inscribed book of poetry - her desire to return it to its home feels so logical. She sneaks the book out and sets out on a quest to find the owner. Other chapters explore the wartime lives of Annelise and Christiana Fisher and their very different experiences. Annelise is part of the Edelweiss Pirates-a German resistance group, and Christiana is following the nazi party line. They love each other, but the differences between them lead to betrayal and heartache - particularly involving Eitan, whom Annelise loves. This book is a multilayered look at the tragedies of WWII.

Because I read so many books about it, I often wonder who I would have been in WWII. I would love to think I’d be an Annelise - a rebel, who instinctively knows very early on that Hitler has all the wrong ideas. And no matter what family or friends say, I would have no fear in working toward resistance and freedom. I think, though, that I’d likely be a Christiana, seeking refuge and belonging in the following of rules and looking for approval from the folks in charge. Brianna portrays these girls both beautifully. While you might side with one, you understand both. The love the sisters have for each other in many ways transcends their differences. When the ultimate betrayal happens, I mourned for both and railed at the war that fostered such pain. Eitan has lost his family and his love. Emmy is a young widow. Tragedy and sadness abound. Lubuskes’ characters are beautifully wrought and offer insight into the darkness of war.

I appreciate here - so much - the value that is assigned to literature. I worry most days now about censorship and book banning - thinking it would never be a common “thing” in the United States. Now…sometimes I wonder. Authors are being challenged more and more. Without being political (see…Christiana here) I hate the idea that anyone in government feels they have the right to decide what I, my children, and my grandboy read. As always when the novel is about war, I leave The Lost Book of Bonn by Brianna Libuskes exhausted by the evil that comes with this kind of conflict. But also, I am in awe of the resilience of the people working to combat the evil. The Lost Book of Bonn serves as a timely reminder of the importance of culture - literature matters.