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The Library Thief
The Library Thief: A Novel | Kuchenga Shenjé
11 posts | 9 read | 4 to read
The library is under lock and key. But its secrets can't be contained. 1896. After he brought her home from Jamaica as a baby, Florence's father had her hair hot-combed to make her look like the other girls. But as a young woman, Florence is not so easy to tame—and when she brings scandal to his door, the bookbinder throws her onto the streets of Manchester. Intercepting her father's latest commission, Florence talks her way into the forbidding Rose Hall to restore its rare books. Lord Francis Belfield's library is old and full of secrets—but none so intriguing as the whispers about his late wife… Evocative, arresting and tightly plotted, The Library Thief is at once a propulsive Gothic mystery and a striking exploration of race, gender and self-discovery in Victorian England.
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julesG
The Library Thief: A Novel | Kuchenga Shenjé
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#WorstRead2024 @CSeydel

I'm not saying this book is absolut 💩, but it was the worst book I read in September.

50 likes1 comment
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lynneamch
The Library Thief: A Novel | Kuchenga Shenjé
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Only a few pages in, but already hooked on this book from my local #library. Pics of a few more libraries I've enjoyed: Boston Public, Rugby in Tennessee, Brooklyn Public, The Morgan, and New York Public. #SchoolSpirit @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs Beautiful 📚â¤ï¸ðŸ“š 3mo
33 likes1 comment
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julesG
The Library Thief: A Novel | Kuchenga Shenjé
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Panpan

It's 1896. Bookbinder's daughter Florence has fallen from grace and needs to use a ruse to be allowed to work at Rose Hall in Lancashire as a bookbinder. Soon Florence takes it upon herself to find out whether the lady of the manor really killed herself.

The book was too woke for 1896 and it felt like the woke topics were crammed into the novel to tick the boxes.

Anachronisms and too much telling.

This novel needed more editing.

Caroline2 Argh. I have this on my kindle. But it sounds v disappointing!! 3mo
julesG @Caroline2 I hope you got it for 99p. The story has good bones. Give it a try, you might not be annoyed by the anachronisms. 3mo
Caroline2 Anachronisms always piss me off. Esp if it‘s from a modern woke perspective. 3mo
julesG @Caroline2 then you might want to skim the book 3mo
60 likes5 comments
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Purpleness
The Library Thief: A Novel | Kuchenga Shenjé
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tpixie Wow! Impactful 💔 3mo
40 likes1 comment
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SW-T
The Library Thief: A Novel | Kuchenga Shenjé
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Mehso-so

Part of my latest #libraryhaul and one that had been on my TBR for a while. There were some things I liked and others that didn‘t work as well. Overall, an interesting story with a diverse cast and an exploration of Victorian LGBTQ issues, misogyny, gender roles, and identity. The mystery part was ok. Considering everything that happened the ending worked.

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Reecaspieces
The Library Thief: A Novel | Kuchenga Shenjé
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Mehso-so
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Reecaspieces
The Library Thief: A Novel | Kuchenga Shenjé
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SilversReviews
The Library Thief: A Novel | Kuchenga Shenjé
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Pickpick

Quite a few secrets were hiding within the walls of Rose Hall and many conniving characters. There are also some delicate subjects discussed.

The storyline and eloquent writing will pull you into this Gothic-themed book with a mystery to solve and somewhat likable characters. 4/5

https://tinyurl.com/y7pmm6cn

#kuchengashenjé
@hanoversquarepress
#harlequintradepublishing
@htp_hive

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ReadingisMyPassion
The Library Thief: A Novel | Kuchenga Shenjé
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Mehso-so

I did find myself struggling a bit with the execution of the plot. The story became overly complicated and somewhat tedious. Still, “The Library Thief“ is a captivating read with its haunting narrative and fresh take on the Victorian mystery genre.

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SilversReviews
The Library Thief: A Novel | Kuchenga Shenjé
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REVIEW 5/8.

According to Florence‘s father, she committed something so immortal he couldn‘t have her in his house anymore.

He kicked her out, but not before she saw a letter from a man who needed his books rebound.

Florence scooped up the letter and made her way to Rose Hall.

Quite a few secrets were hiding within the walls of Rose Hall and many conniving characters. There are also some delicate subjects discussed. 4/5