The Library Book / Susan Orlean - 4****

[Book Concierge]

The Library Book – Susan Orlean
Book on CD read by the author.
4****

On April 29, 1986, there was a disastrous fire in the Los Angeles Public Library. The conflagration reached 2000°F and burned for more than seven hours. It was the single biggest library fire in U.S. history, consuming 400,000 books and damaging 700,000 more. This is the story of the fire, the investigation, and the building / rebuilding of the library.

Like many of us, Orlean spent many of her formative years in her local public library. She devoured books and came to know the librarians. But she had all but abandoned libraries in college and young adulthood. When she moved to Los Angeles her son was six years old. A school project to interview a city worker inspired him to interview a librarian. So Orlean took him to the local library and shortly renewed her love and fascination with public libraries. On a tour of the Los Angeles central library her tour guide casually mentioned the fire. Orlean had never heard of it! She was living in New York at the time, but how could she have missed such a major story? (How could I have missed it?!) Orlean began looking into it and this book is the result.

Orelan did extensive research, interviewing past and present librarians, including survivors of the fire, scientists and fire marshals, and family members of the primary suspect. The result is a comprehensive story, not just of the fire, but of libraries in general.

There is much to like about this book, especially for a library fan such as myself. Orlean alternates chapters focusing on the story of the fire and the investigation into it with chapters that outline the history of the Los Angeles Public Library. Both story arcs were interesting, and I was happy to learn about the history of the LAPL, the historic city librarians, and the politicians or bureaucrats who championed or hindered the development of the library. But … I really wanted mostly to know about the fire, the investigation and the rebuilding of the library. All the detail about how this or that city librarian fought for a share of the budget, instituted innovative programs, built the collection and promoted the public library, however interesting, was, to me, a distraction and disruption from the main story of the fire.

I guess I should have realized that would be the case from the title. It’s NOT called “The Library Fire” but “The Library BOOK” (emphasis mine). Still, it’s a fascinating book and my F2F book club was enhanced by our own City Librarian’s presence and contribution to our discussion.

Orlean narrates the audiobook herself. She is not a trained voice artist and I didn’t like the tone and timber of her voice to start out with. By the second disc I had gotten used to it, and just focused on the story, but I think it would be a better audio experience with a professional voice over.



My full review HERE