by Janet Skeslien Charles
What reader doesn’t love a book with a bookish angle? This sort of sub-genre is one that Skeslien Charles does exceptionally well.
Told in a dual timeline, we meet Kit Carson in 1918. She has taken a leave from her post as a children’s librarian at the New York Public Library to join the American Committee for Devastated France, affectionately referred to as CARD and the women involved, the Cards. She is invited to join them overseas to initiate a library. In 1987, we meet Wendy Peterson. An aspiring writer, she is working at the NYPL when she comes across a reference to Kit Carson. She instantly becomes enamoured and does all she can to uncover more info about her and the Cards.
“I always had friends in fellow readers.”
Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade, p. 17
Kit Carson endeared herself to me quickly with an early mention of Anne of Green Gables as one of her favourite books, and it is a source she will think of often. Kit is thoughtful and caring but painfully self-conscious. She is always doubting herself to the point of it almost feeling repetitive. Wendy isn’t troubled with the same insecurity but has her own healing to reconcile. Neither of these women gave themselves much credit but proved to be more than capable of making a tangible difference. Their confidence might not have been strong to start with but when they surround themselves with people who are simply kind, they begin to see potential within themselves.
What Kit and Wendy have in common is their affection for the underdog. I think this is why Kit is such a wonderful children’s librarian as she sees and values their perspective when others might overlook them. Kit also sees unsung heroes every day in her work through the war, without realizing she is one herself. Wendy meanwhile does recognize the important work the Cards did and throws herself into learning all she can to share their story.
Anne Morgan, daughter of the millionaire J.P. Morgan, is the founder of CARD but is a background character. She is described as a formidable woman and the dedication of the Cards is a reflection of that. This is a group that pulls together fast and shuns their societal differences from back home to rebuild French communities destroyed in the war.
“Sometimes I, too, felt that books were the only things that kept me from drowning.”
Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade, p. 252
This was so well-researched. I loved how context and background information were folded into the story. With Wendy carrying out her own research the two timelines were seamlessly bridged. Skeslien Charles shows more of her efforts with her in-depth Author’s Note containing additional details about the real-life Cards.
Historical fiction is a comfort genre for me but I realize I have read far more about WWII than WWI and this timeframe change was a welcome reminder that there is so much variety to choose from. Thank you very much Simon & Schuster for gifting me this arc!
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