The Last Library: 'I really loved this . . . a brilliant first novel' Katie Fforde
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The Last Library: 'I really loved this . . . a brilliant first novel' Katie Fforde
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The Last Library is absolutely irresistible! Curl up and indulge in Freya Sampson's charming novel about a shy librarian in a small town with a great cause. You'll have such a good time and you'll love the unexpected twist at the end! * Nancy Thayer, New York Times bestselling author of Family Reunion * June Jones emerges from her shell to fight for her beloved local library, and through the efforts and support of an eclectic group of library patrons, she discovers life-changing friendships along the way. The Last Library made me laugh, cry, cheer and want to champion all of our fabulous libraries' Clare Pooley, author of The Authenticity Project This was going to be a solid 4 or 5 stars book until about 50% into the story. The setup was wonderful. Old manor that used to be an abbey, the moors and the fog, the cold and unwelcoming servants, and a mysterious library... What is there not to like about this?
At the beginning of the book we are introduced to June, a librarian assistant at Chalcot Village library. Following in her mum’s footsteps, June has been working at the village library for a number of years. She’s a quiet, hard working and kind librarian assistant. June has a lot of patience when dealing with the regular, more mature, village residents. Bringing the story to life are fascinating and complex characters like the bookish and cautious widower forty-three- year-old Runit Happerman. Compliant, honest, honorable and non-aggressive the last librarian soon develops a brave and rebellious heart in his struggle to save the books and his son. Eighteen-year-old Grandyn Happerman is his loyal but stubborn son who’s determined to be a TreeRunner rather than go to college; feisty, intense and tough Chelles Andreas the revolutionary in love with Runit; her contentious and defiant brother Nelson Wright his best friend; and brilliant but paranoid Deuce Lipton the money and influence behind their scheme. After a year, Legg emerged from federal prison, chastened and wiser, and began anew. More than twenty-five years later, he’s now using all that hard-earned firsthand knowledge of conspiracies, corruption and high finance to weave his tales. Legg’s books pulse with authenticity. The small town Chalcot library is one of a handful of libraries that has been threatened with closure. There is just so much money that the council has to disperse. It’s thought that perhaps a mobile library or volunteer library would provide the residents with the books that they want and/or need. A wonderful DEBUT from Freya Sampson, who lives in London with her husband, two children, and her own, antisocial cat! 😼The book begins with the anchoress choosing to hide her writing due to the actions of unscrupulous men. The evil at the abbey exists because the anchoress, instead of choosing to share her knowledge with the women around her, chose to write everything down instead and a mad monk found it.
I’m delighted to share my Book Review of The Last Library by Freya Sampson. This is the authors debut novel, published by Zaffre in September 2021. The story reminded me of the benefits and importance of supporting local libraries. As a result of reading The Last Library, I have re-joined my local Library in North Swindon. Freya Sampson works in TV as an executive producer. Her credits include two documentary series for the BBC about the British Royal Family. Also a number of factual and entertainment series. However, June's world begins to shift slowly when her library, along with others, is earmarked for closure and the building set to be sold. She is warned that as a council employee, she is forbidden to take part in or get involved with a protest action group that is has been set up to fight the closure, and at the beginning she adheres to this rule. An old schoolfriend, lawyer Alex Chen arrives in town to help run The Golden Dragon, his father is getting a hip operation, and as June recommends books for him to read, she listens to his advice about her quandry and he tells her to ask herself about a favourite fictional character, what would Roald Dahl's Matilda do? This spurs June to help the FOCL (the Friends of Chalcot Library) campaign, giving advice, information and ideas covertly as Matilda, but when a beloved daily library user, Stanley Phelps starts a sit in protest, she openly joins the protests. I simply loved it! I won't write the plot of the book because it'll give the story away! It's not something that I would usually read, but I was drawn in by the title and the beautiful and interesting cover. I'm very happy that I did read it.His best friend Nelson is an author, he offers to help and gets his sister Chelle Andreas involved too. Runit is concerned about his son Grandyn becoming embroiled in the rebellious act, but is unable to prevent him joining the growing team and also bringing his girlfriend Vida along, as well as his Treerunner colleagues. Surely all those would be enough to achieve the saving of 100,000 books. That's the major problem with this book. No matter how much the author tries to show Ivy taking some action, and making some decisions, like organizing a book lending club, she isn't an active player in this story. She doesn't push the story forward. None of her actions progress anything. Things happen to her. In essence, she has no agency in this story at all. I understand that it was supposed to convey her dismay and confusion at progressively loosing her memories, but it misses the mark here, in my opinion. She comes across and pathetic and helpless, yet also stubborn and pigheaded when she shouldn't be. She gives up all resistance the moment she encounters any difficulty. Since her mum passed away June has retreated into herself, surviving on Chinese takeaways for one and rereading her favourite books at home. This story is a great reminder of the many benefits of belonging to, and supporting your local library. Unfortunately, things go downhill from there. And not in small part because of the protagonist's actions. For someone who constantly says that she doesn't need anyone to take care of her, because she was doing that just fine on her own, thank you very much, she sure makes a lot of stupid decisions.
The ‘virtual’ world is not a place that feels very secure to me. It’s too difficult to tell what is real. This might work for some readers, but this passivity made the book more and more boring to me. To the point that I started skimming ahead to see if Ivy would even try to fight for he freedom and sanity, but by 75% of the book she was just as pathetic - a prisoner in her own home... And I didn't care to find out what would happen in the end. So I gave up.My heart was in my throat -- no more libraries -- no more print books. Now we all know how I love to read--and even the thought of this sends shivers down my spine!! Oh I now read E-Books-but that is actually pretty recent--and I may not go to libraries anymore--but if you asked my Mom she would tell you that whenever she happened to ask what I wanted to do--I answered "let's go the the library!" Whether it was the NYC Library or the little one in our town--that's where I wanted to go!! So, when a few of the patrons start a group called FOCL (Friends of Chalcot Library) to save the library and the books that have touched them, June decides to step out of her shell and campaign with them. Not only will this give her a chance to break out of her comfort zone and shine, but she might be able to move past the funk she’s been in and find happiness within herself and with the help of those she lets in. A] winsome debut...Sampson convincingly brings her characters to life, as well as the importance of their collective crusade to save the library. Readers will be touched by June's transformation * Publisher's Weekly * Though not extraordinary in itself, this book sets a new - as yet unparalleled - standard. Its brilliant execution is equal parts fast-paced, heartfelt, purpose-centred and never overdone. Its characters are not only endearing (and perhaps idiosyncratic) but as much protagonists of the story - with a history and a beating heart; a soulful existence - as the Library itself. The literary references are from contemporary fiction and Classics across all genres, and beautifully complement the story. Adding an extra dose of texture and enjoyment is also the Occupation initiated by Stanley - the chapters I read most avidly. As a massive fan of books, reading and libraries, I was immediately drawn to this book and it certainly didn't disappoint. It is a heart-warming story, centring around the friendships that can be formed within a small community fighting for its library.
- Fruugo ID: 258392218-563234582
- EAN: 764486781913
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