Escobar’s desire to show the suffering of the common people during the German occupation of France has resulted in a heart-wrenching, emotional book that may seem hopeless and depressing at times, but leaves the reader grateful for those who endured such difficult times with commitment to life, love and doing what was right, as well as thoughtful about how to face today’s challenges with as much integrity and fortitude as the characters Escobar portrays.

The story is inspired by real facts, and the characters come alive on the pages. I took a short break halfway through the book, but then stayed up way too late to finish reading it. If you want to learn more about the effects of World War II on people just trying to live their lives under occupation, I highly recommend this book.

I think one of the most powerful quotes from the book is this: “...my hope is that someday, when humanity regains its sanity, people will know that the only way to be saved from barbarianism is by love: loving books, loving people, and, though you may call me crazy, loving our enemies. There’s no doubt that love is the most revolutionary choice and, therefore, the most persecuted and reviled.”


"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
#TheLibrarianofSaintMalo #NetGalley

"The Librarian of Saint-Malo" by Mario Escobar
Release Date: 6.1.2021

Jocelyn and Antoine are best friends and childhood sweethearts. After marrying on September 1, 1939 (which is the day Germany invaded Poland), Antoine is drafted. To help her community, Jocelyn recommends books from her library in Saint-Malo. She corresponds with the author, Marcel Zola, and those letters give her strength when Joceyln doesn't feel she has hope left. Her husband was taken as a POW in Germany.

The Nazis take over France, and the Nazis occupy the northern part of France. Part of the German commander's job is to destroy the subverse books inside the country's libraries. Jocelyn decides to hide books, protecting them until they can be shared again.

I loved this story. Jocelyn was an everyday lady; she married her sweetheart and worked as a librarian. The strength of her and her friends during this time of turmoil should be noted. What a unique, fresh story!


Thank you to @NetGalley for the opportunity to read in exchange for my honest review.

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I was given the opportunity to read and review this through Net Galley and I am so glad I did. I love books about WWII and this was no different. This book was beautifully written and I can't wait to read more by this author!!

The Librarian of Saint-Malo by Mario Escobar is an excellent WWII-era historical fiction novel that was fresh, unique, gripping, inspiring, and heartbreaking all wrapped up into one fabulous novel.

I really enjoyed this novel from Mr. Escobar. This is the third book that I have read from him (Auschwitz Lullaby and Remember Me of which I truly loved) and this is a great addition to his portfolio.

I loved the concept of bringing to light an “ordinary citizen”, a “lowly librarian” within a small port town in France and her individual life, struggles, and story during war. The fact that it is truly the polar opposite: a strong, unique, fiery, selfless, brilliant, brave, and heroic woman is what really is depicted.

Following along the wartime story of how Jocelyn, the main librarian, deals with personal and professional losses, how she reacts to adversity, fear, physical and emotional obstacles, and how she keeps her fortitude and strength helping the people of Saint-Malo during this horrific time was fascinating and anything but ordinary.

I loved reading about the landscapes, the people, and the events that surrounded this picturesque and historical town. Many things were hard to read, however necessary and needed to see what people experienced during the atrocities of occupation during the war.

I loved the intrigue, the suspense, the mystery, the cast of characters, the threads of romance, and the bittersweet ending. Jocelyn is an excellent main character and has been well-crafted for this narrative. I loved her letters and the concept of the need for her to leave her imprint on the world for the future, if even just in her own letters, correspondence, and selfless actions. It was truly beautiful and unforgettable.

I loved this!

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Thomas Nelson for this wonderful ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

This is a beautiful love story, not just between two people, Jocelyn and Antoine, but this is also about the love of books, and love for the town and people of Saint-Malo. Antoine is away fighting in the war, and Jocelyn finds solace working in the library, and in the books themselves. Despite the ravages of war she helps comfort the residents of Saint-Malo with book recommendations. When the Nazis occupy the town, they begin purging the library of books they deem subversive. Jocelyn is determined to hide and preserve as many books as possible to protect them from ruin. She begins writing and receiving letters from Marcel Zola, a famous author, and the correspondence gives her hope and strength. Meanwhile, Antoine is captured and sent to a German prison camp. What unfolds is a beautiful story of love, faith, sacrifice, and hope. I highly recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Jocelyn and Antoine are childhood sweethearts, but just after they marry and are hoping for a child, Antoine is called up to fight against Germany.
the Nazis occupy the town and turn it into a fortress to control the north of French Brittany.
Jocelyn manages to hide some of the books while waiting to receive news from Antoine, who has been taken to a German prison camp. She tries to protect herself and the books she holds near and dear.

This was an ok book. I really didn't connect with these characters and felt the story ran at in some areas.
The story is there. I guess it just wasn't for me.
Overall its a good story.

THE LIBRARIAN OF SANT-MALO by MARIO ESCOBAR tells the really moving story of courageous people in Saint-Malo during WW11 who stood up against the Nazi invaders and French fascists while lives were being lost, atrocities, especially against the Jews, were taking place, hunger was rife and their town was being blown up around them.
Antoine and Jocelyn were married in Saint-Malo on the first of September 1939, the same day Hitler invaded Poland leading to the second world war. Very quickly their lives are turned upside down, first of all by Jocelyn's illness and then by Antoine's deployment. This couple's poignant love story and love of books and reading is inspirational, and so is the strength and commitment shown by Jocelyn and her friends who resist the enemy placing themselves in great danger.
It is a book about the power of love and also of words as we see Jocelyn's determination to save the irreplaceable books in the library where she works. The author expresses Jocelyn's emotions extremely well as she writes her story to the author, Marcel Zola. Although Jocelyn was brought up in a Huguenot family as a protestant, she is quite confused in her opinion of God and tries to work out His part in the tragedy she is living through.
There is so much in this very well written novel, based on true stories, some real people and the history of WW11 that I found it most inspirational and cannot recommend it highly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.