The Librarian of Burned Books: A Novel

Viv puts her plan into motion, arranging interviews with Althea in local papers. She shares letters from soldiers who read Althea’s book, including one who says that reading her book gave him a will to survive the war. They go out to eat and discuss Althea’s next novel, and the difference between a story’s plot and its theme. Viv reiterates the importance of sharing stories with soldiers abroad.

After Hannah and Otto leave, Althea goes home and considers her predicament, including what she has lost with Hannah. She finds her rescued copy of Alice in Wonderland and sets it aside as she packs up her things. On her way to the station, she leaves the book outside Hannah’s apartment with an inscription quoted from the story.

Viv wakes the morning of her event. On her way out, she roars out the window, remembering when Edward encouraged her to let her tensions out that way before.

She arrives at the hall, where Taft and his associate Danes are already waiting. Mr. Stern re-introduces them, and Viv goes to greet the other accumulated guests, which include prominent reporters and politicians, publishing house staff, colleagues of Hannah’s from the library, an ASEs author, and Hale.