The Librarian of Saint-Malo by Mario Escobar
Inspired by true events, this World War II historical fiction novel takes place during the 1940’s in Saint-Malo, France. As France is torn apart by war and libraries are being ransacked, Jocelyn, a French librarian is determined to resist. When her husband is drafted to fight against Germany, Jocelyn works to comfort her community with books.
Hoping to someday reach the outside world with her story, Jocelyn’s voice is passionate and determined in the letters she writes and secretly has smuggled to an author in Paris. Through these letters she recounts the brutality of the Nazi occupation of her small coastal village, as well as describing the extraordinary measures she and others take to fight back.
As the occupying German commander begins destroying parts of city libraries, burning and/or stealing books declared unsuitable or priceless, Jocelyn and her small group of resisters secretly network and organize. Risking arrest and/or death, they help protect the people of Saint-Malo, as well as hide some of the precious books.
Meanwhile her husband is now a prisoner in a German camp and she anxiously awaits any news of his wellbeing. Through Jocelyn’s words, Escobar re-creates the emotionally intriguing story of the will to fight and survive in the worst of circumstances.
Mario Escobar is the bestselling author of Auschwitz Lullaby and The Teacher of Warsaw. His stories transport the reader to a time and place in history, with characters who will be missed when the story concludes. Mr. Escobar lives in Madrin, Spain- for a list of his books and more information, go to his website https://marioescobar.es/ [in Spanish], or check out https://freshfiction.com/author.php?id=43088 .
