Publishers Weekly
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The immersive latest from White (A Portrait of Loyalty) sees two book lovers’ lives collide in WWII Paris. Sorbonne professor Corinne Bastien has never been one to comply blindly with authority, so after the Nazis take control of her city in 1940, it’s not long before she’s passing encrypted messages back and forth with her students and keeping a protective eye on “The Library of Burned Books,” a collection of titles banned by German officials. When Christian Bauer, a German professor who’s been unwillingly designated the Nazis’ bibliotheksschutz—charged with controlling libraries and the “dangerous” ideas they contain—arrives at the Sorbonne, they’re thrown into each other’s paths as he searches for books checked out under her mother’s name. After spending time together, the two come to realize they may be more similar than they think. But as the chemistry between them builds, so do the stakes, and when a secret of Christian’s threatens to come to light and the danger surrounding them mounts, both must draw on their faith to do what’s right. Propulsively plotted and richly detailed, the narrative depicts how dangerous it can be under fascism to entertain ideas deemed “different”—and how deeply necessary. The result is a captivating historical romance and a resonant ode to the power of literature in dark times. (July)

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From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

As the Nazi Party’s appointed “Library Protector” in occupied Paris, Christian Bauer is tasked with removing forbidden books from Parisian libraries—beginning with Corrine Bastien’s beloved but blacklisted Library of Burned Books. When Corinne’s roles as professor and book-smuggler are slowly dismantled by the newly arrived German librarian, her hatred for what Christian represents burns as fiercely as the books condemned by his orders. But there is more to the librarian than even she realizes. As suspicion closes in around them, hidden truths reveal an unlikely common ground that may be their only hope against the cultural and moral darkness of war. The Collector of Burned Books is a fervent and timely defense of the freedom of thought, discourse, and books. White (An Honorable Deception, 2024) is a favorite for good reason, and she triumphs again with her mesmerizing literary range showcased through characters’ impassioned debates about history, literature, and philosophy. This WWII novel explores the far-reaching cultural impacts of book burnings, strength through Catholic faith, and dignity among differences. Brilliantly written and bursting with suspense and anxious vigilance, it captures the volatile intersection of art, academia, and authoritarian control, with the spark of unexpected romance bringing warmth to an unforgettable novel.