The Librarian of Burned Books by Brianna Labuskes *****

The Librarian of Burned Books by Brianna Labuskes is set in Berlin (1933), Paris (1936), and New York City (1944). In 1933, author Althea James was invited to Berlin by Joseph Goebbels as a guest of the Nazi party. She met Hannah Brecht who is a member of the Nazi Resistance. In 1944, Vivian Childs worked for the Armed Service Editions (ASE) program which ships books to soldiers. Senator Taft wanted to censor the popular ASE program to hurt Roosevelt’s bid for a fourth presidential term. The book follows the relationships of these three women and their fight against censorship--Nazi book burning and Taft. A potent amalgamation of strong women and the love of books.

Other important characters include:

Adam Brecht, brother of Hannah and resistance fighter. He was captured by the Nazis (1933) and executed (1936). His capture leads to the estrangement of Hannah and Althea.

Deveraux Charles, a movie star who is friends with Hannah and Goebbels (1933, 1936).

Librarian of Burned Books (1944). Works at the Brooklyn Jewish Center in the American Library of Nazi-Banned Books.

The book includes important historical events:

The Reichstag Fire (February 27, 1933)

Bebelplatz Book Burning (May 10, 1933)

D-Day (June 6, 1944)

In addition to censorship, the book explores the question of how Germany allowed Hitler to come to power. There was fear of Communists and Jews, the promise of a better life, but primarily small steps that didn’t frighten anyone and incredulousness. “Most people who paid attention to politics in those days expected him to fade into obscurity, his madness burning bright but then snuffing out quickly.”

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