La librera de Madrid

by Mario Escobar

Madrid, 1934. Soplan vientos de cambio en la España de la Segunda República cuando Bárbara, una joven alemana que ha conseguido huir de Berlín tras la victoria del partido nazi en las elecciones, abre una pequeña librería.

Esta se convierte en un lugar donde soñar con un futuro libre y esperanzador, pero el estallido de la Guerra Civil amenaza con destruir todo lo que Bárbara ha construido. Será su amor por las letras y por un joven republicano lo que la mantenga aferrada a un país que se enfrenta a una espiral de odio y terror que ella conoce demasiado bien y que la obligará a luchar por su vida una vez más.

Una novela apasionante y rigurosamente documentada por uno de los autores españoles más traducidos y leídos en el mundo. Una historia esperanzadora frente al horror de la intolerancia. Y, por encima de todo, un indiscutible homenaje a la literatura.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Spain, Fiction, Audiobook, Books About Books, World War II, Historical

384 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2025

About the author

Mario Escobar Golderos has a degree in History, with an advanced studies diploma in Modern History. He has written numerous books and articles about the Inquisition, the Protestant Reformation, and religious sects. He is the executive director of an NGO and directs the magazine Nueva historia para el debate, in addition to being a contributing columnist in various publications. Passionate about history and its mysteries, Escobar has delved into the depths of church history, the different sectarian groups that have struggled therein, and the discovery and colonization of the Americas. He specializes in the lives of unorthodox Spaniards and Americans. Books

Autor Betseller con miles de libros vendidos en todo el mundo. Sus obras han sido traducidas al chino, japonés, inglés, ruso, portugués, danés, francés, italiano, checo, polaco, serbio, entre otros idiomas. Novelista, ensayista y conferenciante. Licenciado en Historia y Diplomado en Estudios Avanzados en la especialidad de Historia Moderna, ha escrito numerosos artículos y libros sobre la Inquisición, la Reforma Protestante y las sectas religiosas.

Publica asiduamente en las revistas Más Allá y National Geographic Historia

Apasionado por la historia y sus enigmas ha estudiado en produndidad la Historia de la Iglesia, los distintos grupos sectarios que han luchado en su seno, el descubrimiento y colonizacíón de América; especializándose en la vida de personajes heterodoxos españoles y americanos.

Su primera obra, Conspiración Maine 2006, fue un éxito. Le siguieron El mesías Ario (2007), El secreto de los Assassini (2008) y la Profecía de Aztlán (2009). Todas ellas parte de la saga protagonizada por Hércules Guzmán Fox, George Lincoln y Alicia Mantorella.

Su libro Francisco. El primer papa latinoamericano ha sido traducido a 12 idiomas, entre ellos el chino, inglés, francés, italiano, portugues, japonés, danés, etc.

Sol rojo sobre Hiroshima (2009) y El País de las lágrimas (2010) son sus obras más intimistas. También ha publicado ensayos como Martín Luther King (2006) e Historia de la Masonería en Estados Unidos (2009). Los doce legados de Steve Jobs (2012). La biografía del papa Francisco. El primer papa latinoamericano (2013). La Saga Ione (2013) o la Serie Apocalipsis (2012).Saga Misión Verne (2013)

www.marioescobar.es
http://www.amazon.com/Mario-Escobar/e...
http://www.sagamisionverne.es/

Reviews

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bárbara Spiel has a degree in French Philology and she visits Francoise Frenkel in her French bookstore in Berlin and here she meets a young Spaniard.

Bárbara flees Germany when the Nazi's gain control, she moves to Spain, marries Juan Delgado and opens a bookshop called Libreria de Madrid and are expecting their first child. When unrest and fighting breaks out in the streets, between the Republican government and the Nationalist rebels, Bárbara is vulnerable due to her husband and father political ties and both the Germans and British put pressure on her to become a spy and she doesn’t want to be a double agent.

The Spanish Civil War ends, Bárbara and Juan want to leave with their son, their lives are in grave danger, and the second half of the narrative is about what they go through to flee, where they go and who helps them along the way.

I received a complimentary copy of A Bookseller in Madrid from HarperCollins Focus and all opinions expressed in this review are my own. I must admit I don’t know a lot about the conflict in Spain, and at times it was tricky for me to put it all together and it’s a lot to process.

The main character is a bookseller and so was her friend Francoise Frenkel and many novels were destroyed both in Germany and Spain and Bárbara wanted to protect the classics and literature.

Mario Escobar is one of my favourite historical fiction authors, he writes about topics such as war, political unrest, violence, imprisonment, fighting to survive and intolerance. Bárbara was a strong and inspirational woman and four stars from me.

[Book Riot Community]

The Best New Historical Fiction Books Out in July:

After the Nazi party wins the election in Germany, Bárbara flees to Spain and opens up the small bookstore she's always dreamed of running. But the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War threatens to upend Bárbara's life once again. Violence and terror, as it turns out, aren't as far from her new home as she once thought. Bárbara's done running, though. This time, she plans to stay and fight for the new life she's been building for herself. —Rachel Brittain

[Linda Galella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.


Real history, real bookstores, real booksellers; used to support a fictional main character and her mostly plausible story.

A BOOKSELLER IN MADRID is a different approach to Historical Fiction. I believe it’s a genre known as “METAFICTION”

It begins with a young editor finding an old copy of the book in a trash can along the street in NYC. She flips a few pages, is completely enthralled and the rest, as they say, is history. Readers are thrown headfirst into the story of Barbara Spiel, a German Bookseller.

The story begins in 1933 Berlin, with Barbara visiting Francoise Frenkel in her famous French bookstore, La Maison du Livre. Frenkel is a Polish Jew and already experiencing trouble from the Germans. They begin what becomes a life long friendship and she meets who becomes her future husband, Juan, a member of the Spanish Socialist Workers Party.

Author, Mario Escobar, was kind enough to include a timeline for the major events of the Spanish Civil War. It’s at the back of the book and readers will be well served to make use of it prior to reading the story. The first half is replete with historical information, much of which is political in nature. It was not familiar to me and I was often confused with things happening quickly. It was easier for me to focus on the characters rather than the political aspects.

The second half of the book is more character driven and focused on Barbara and her family trying to escape from Madrid. Her life and contacts as a bookseller come into play in wide ranging ways. Even more interesting are the ways her life as a German Christian facilitate safety for her entire family throughout this entire wartime period when so many of her friends and associates are not so fortunate.

In all honesty, I expected more from the bookstore angle but as I learned from the story, Spain was not a large reading population at this time nor were there many bookstores for regular people. Barbara’s dream to open a foreign language bookstore in Madrid and “to help people get access to books from other regions” was a gargantuan task. She goes on to say that “Books are the only companions that will never betray you.”

Besides a good amount of political information, there is also a fair amount of violence. It’s not written gratuitously or overly descriptive but does include sexual assaults, murder and beatings. There isn’t any romantic sexual content or foul language.

Kudos to Gretchen Abernathy. The translation is seamless!

A very good read for fans of political fiction, historical fiction, early WW2, Spanish history, bookstore culture📚

Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks

[Nora Currie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love nearly everything about this powerful and tragic story and I can’t describe this book because I am afraid I will give away major spoilers. However, I reached Chapter 50 and I can’t continue reading this book due to something I am currently going through irl. My thanks to my friend Michelle for this wonderful, heartbreaking and emotional book.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mario Escobar highlights the importance of embracing the power of resilience. His main character digs deep within herself to give wings to her dream, not knowing that it’ll involve resilience and perseverance that she’s yet to develop. Despite relocating, the world around her is in chaos and limitations surround her; it’s in this environment that she needs to learn to trust.

Not only did I deepen my understanding of the Spanish Civil War, I was also reminded about the power of words and the value of a dream.

I was gifted this book by Harper Collins Focus/Harper Muse and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Lucia Nieto Navarro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vuelve Mario Escobar y vuelve a demostrarnos su gran formación en historia, en su capacidad de narración con una obra que nos traslada como telón de fondo a la España de la Segunda República, a los años previos de la Guerra Civil, al fascismo alemán…
Bárbara, una joven alemana huye del fascismo de su país tras la victoria del partido nazi en las elecciones, llegará a España con un sueño, abrir una librería en Madrid, un lugar donde los amantes de los libros sueñan con un futuro libre, pero tras el comienzo de la Guerra Civil, todo se verá puesto en duda.
Su amor por las letras y su amor por un republicano se mantendrá en Madrid, aguantado y viviendo mucho odio y terror que ella ya conoce de su vida pasada. Cada página tendrá miles de detalles que te transportan a la época, ese cambio político (si, hay mucha parte política en este libro), ese temor de la sociedad por la guerra inminente.
A través de Bárbara, Mario va a rendir un homenaje a todos los libreros y libreras que fueron luz para muchas personas, y no solo nos hará un recorrido por las librerías mas importantes de Madrid (que me ha encantado) también, nos trasladará a otras mundialmente conocidas.
Como he dicho es una historia que tiene mucha carga política, necesaria o no para entender la situación, tiene una parte de romance que no es lo principal, pero si importante para muchas decisiones de la protagonista, pero para nada empalagoso.
En conclusión, una novela perfectamente documentada, por uno de los autores más leídos y traducidos en el mundo, una historia de esperanza, un homenaje a los libros.

[ZumoDeLibros (Mafalda) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Novela de ficción histórica que me ha gustado pero siento que le ha faltado algo.
Me ha gustado la historia, los personajes, … pero le ha faltado darle más sentimiento a la historia y a los personajes.
Han faltado muchos detalles, aún así no es un mal libro, y es muy fácil de leer.
Mi opinión en YouTube sin spoilers:
https://youtu.be/VlEgzfmbl2c?si=9ccPs...

[Jorge Quintas Jimenez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cómo crónica de sucesos está bien, pero como novela, carece de una trama. Personajes planos que son simples invitados.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking forward to reading The Bookseller in Madrid as it explores a genre of historical fiction not often explored in mainstream historical fiction—the Spanish Civil War. Unfortunately, this book didn’t work for me. While the Spanish civil war was a bloody and tumultuous part of Spanish history, I felt that the book failed to capture any sort of emotion or imagery of this period of history. I felt that the story was more a historical listing of the names of political parties, leaders, dates and government with a few characters thrown in to try and tell a story. At times, it read like a poorly written fictional spy story as the protagonist was bombarded by multiple members of every faction of the war to spy for them within moments of one another. And yet, despite this seemingly important part of the story, it also just felt like another sub-story that felt very underdeveloped. Any parts where any “action” was about to happen ended quickly with a swift resolution and barely any tension. I actually paused at one point to see if this book was classified as a young adult novel, because it read like YA fiction multiple times throughout the story.
The story bounced around from event to event without creating connection to the characters and their lives. As a result, I didn’t feel invested in the characters or their lives. The story didn’t feel believable, despite being based on a tumultuous period of actual history, and it also didn’t evoke any sort of emotion or feelings in me as I read it, despite knowing that this was a tragic and violent period of Spanish history.

The narrator of the audio production was pleasant to listen to during the English narration of the story, however, her multiple shifts into accents or gender roles of the characters were unbelievable or inaccurate. I would like to listen to her narrate again, but not with so many ambitious accents to tackle throughout.

Despite being disappointed in this book, I did enjoy a reoccurring theme that was discussed—the fact that books can be and have been used as weapons in society. Books open doors to critical thinking and can be used as an ideological influence responsible for shaping thoughts of a society. Reading is often considered a method of resistance, and I appreciate that theme in this story.

Thank you to Harper Muse Audiobooks, HarperCollins Focus and NetGalley for these copies. I received these copies for free in exchange for an honest review.

[Carol (Reading Ladies) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Bookseller in Madrid is the compelling and suspenseful story of a bookseller in the 1930s.

The story begins in Berlin as Barbara visits Francoise Frenkel in her famous French bookstore. They begin a lifelong friendship and Barbara meets her future husband who encourages her to flee to Berlin where she opens a small bookstore in 1934. The outbreak of the Spanish Civil War threatens to detail her dreams, but she’s done running and stays to support her husband and run her bookstore.

Putting the history into histfic. History fans will find a great deal to appreciate in this story as the author provides many historical and political details of life in Madrid during the 1930s. The latter half of the story is more character-driven.

Barbara is an interesting and compelling main character. She dreams big and is determined, resilient, brave, and persistent. Despite setbacks, Barbara is dedicated to opening and operating a bookstore in Madrid, and she believes in the power of books. She is a survivor and flights for the safety of her husband and family. The first half of the story is packed with historical facts and political intrigue, but Barbara emerges fully in the latter half.

History nerds and fans of Spanish history will find this well-written and well-researched story informative and suspenseful. Because I don’t have a great deal of background knowledge, much of the political intrigue was too complicated and nuanced for me to follow. I followed the gist, but I was more eager to follow the main characters.

Content Consideration: violence, imprisonment, murder, beatings

A Bookseller in Madrid is recommended for fans of political and historical fiction, readers who are especially interested in the history of Spain (Spanish Civil War and early WWII), and for those who like sides of intrigue, suspense, and survival.

Thanks #NetGalley @HarperMuseBooks for a complimentary eARC of #ABooksellerInMadrid upon my request. All opinions are my own.

For more reviews visit my blog www.readingladies.com where this review was first published .

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

El peor libro que me he leído en años, y me da pena decirlo porque la trama prometía y porque fue un regalo —de no haber sido por eso, no me lo habría acabado—. Me ofende que una historia tan sumamente mal construida, con tantísimas erratas y errores garrafales de edición esté publicada. Solo puedo valorar la investigación que hay detrás y que me haya descubierto que existió el Palacio de la Novela en Carabanchel, pero que el autor compare a los comunistas con los nacionales y ensalce tanto la religión lo ensucia todo. Un despropósito que me tiene muy enfadada.

[The Bookish Elf · Rating 4 out of 5]

In an era where historical fiction often struggles to balance authenticity with accessibility, Mario Escobar delivers a masterwork that transforms the tragic landscape of 1930s Europe into an intimate meditation on love, loss, and the transformative power of literature. A Bookseller in Madrid stands as both a gripping wartime narrative and a profound tribute to the enduring sanctuary that books provide in humanity's darkest hours.

A Journey Through Literary Exile

The novel opens with Bárbara Spiel, a young German philology student whose dreams of academic pursuits are shattered by Hitler's rise to power. Her flight from Berlin to Madrid in 1933 carries the weight of personal loss—the dissolution of her father's political career, the destruction of Jewish-owned bookstores, and the systematic erosion of intellectual freedom that would later consume all of Europe. Escobar's portrayal of Bárbara's transition from refugee to hopeful entrepreneur captures the resilience of those who refuse to let tyranny extinguish their fundamental humanity.

What distinguishes this novel from other World War II fiction is its focus on the often-overlooked Spanish Civil War and its connection to the broader European catastrophe. Bárbara's establishment of the Librería de Madrid near Ciudad Universitaria becomes more than a business venture—it evolves into a beacon of cultural resistance, a space where French and German literature can flourish despite mounting political tensions. The bookstore serves as both literal and metaphorical shelter, protecting not just books but the ideals they represent.

The Architecture of Love and War

Escobar demonstrates remarkable skill in weaving personal relationships through the fabric of historical upheaval. The romance between Bárbara and Juan Delgado, a Socialist parliamentarian, never feels forced or convenient despite their whirlwind courtship. Their relationship develops against the backdrop of increasing violence, with each political crisis testing their commitment not just to each other but to their shared vision of a democratic Spain.

The author's portrayal of Juan deserves particular recognition. Rather than creating a cardboard revolutionary hero, Escobar presents a man genuinely committed to peaceful reform, someone who represents the moderate voices drowned out by extremist rhetoric on both sides. Juan's political disillusionment mirrors Spain's broader tragedy—the impossibility of reasonable discourse when hatred becomes the dominant political language.

Their marriage ceremony, conducted amid the chaos of political uncertainty, symbolizes hope's persistence even as storm clouds gather. The presence of friends from across the political spectrum at their wedding reflects the Spain that might have been, where differences could be bridged through mutual respect rather than resolved through violence.

The Brutality of Ideological Warfare

Where A Bookseller in Madrid truly excels is in its unflinching examination of how civil war corrupts the soul of a nation. Escobar doesn't romanticize either side of the Spanish conflict. The checas—extralegal prisons operated by various Republican factions—receive the same condemnation as Francoist repression. The author's balanced approach reflects deep historical research and moral courage, refusing to sacrifice truth for political correctness.

The character of Ana Ortiz, the militiawoman who becomes Bárbara's nemesis, represents the personal vendettas that civil wars enable. Her pursuit of Bárbara stems not from ideological conviction but from wounded pride and sexual jealousy. This personal dimension prevents the novel from becoming merely a chronicle of historical events, grounding abstract political conflicts in recognizable human emotions.

The scene where Jaime is kidnapped by Auxilio Social—Franco's social welfare organization that systematically separated children from "red" families—ranks among the most heartbreaking passages in recent historical fiction. Escobar's description of Dr. Vallejo-Nájera's research into the supposed "red gene" illuminates the pseudoscientific racism that justified such cruelty, drawing clear parallels to Nazi racial theories.

Literary Sanctuary and Cultural Resistance

Throughout the novel, books function as both refuge and resistance. The Palacio de la Novela, with its contrast between popular fiction and literary classics, serves as a metaphor for literature's dual nature—its capacity to both enlighten and manipulate. Luis Fernández-Vior's commentary on mass literature as "opium of the people" provides philosophical depth without slowing the narrative's momentum.

Escobar's treatment of book burning—both literal and figurative—connects Spanish censorship to the broader European assault on intellectual freedom. The destruction of the Librería de Madrid's windows by Falangist students parallels the attacks on Jewish bookstores in Germany, reinforcing the novel's central argument that tyranny's first target is always independent thought.

The Protestant school El Porvenir and its library represent another form of cultural resistance. The Fliedner family's commitment to education and their protection of both Spanish and foreign refugees demonstrate how institutions can maintain moral authority even under authoritarian pressure.

Technical Mastery and Historical Accuracy

Escobar's prose demonstrates remarkable maturity, avoiding both the purple excess that mars some historical fiction and the dry academicism that can drain emotional impact from serious subjects. His descriptions of Madrid during the siege capture both the city's physical destruction and its residents' psychological trauma without resorting to gratuitous violence.

The author's research shines through authentic period details—from the rationing cards that barely sustained life to the specific locations where executions occurred. The integration of real historical figures like Indalecio Prieto and Juan Negrín alongside fictional characters never feels forced, suggesting deep familiarity with the period's political complexities.

Translation by Gretchen Abernathy preserves the novel's Spanish rhythms while making the text accessible to English readers. Her handling of dialogue maintains distinct voices for characters from different social backgrounds and political affiliations.

Areas for Critical Consideration

Despite its considerable strengths, A Bookseller in Madrid occasionally suffers from episodic pacing, particularly in the middle sections where political events overshadow character development. Some readers may find the detailed descriptions of Republican factional fighting overwhelming, though these sections serve the important purpose of explaining why the Republic ultimately failed.

The novel's length—over 400 pages—demands patience from readers expecting a simple romance or adventure story. Escobar's commitment to historical accuracy sometimes requires extended exposition that slows narrative momentum, though the payoff in authentic atmosphere generally justifies these slower passages.

Bárbara's transformation from naive academic to hardened survivor could have been explored more deeply. While her resilience is admirable, some crucial emotional transitions feel rushed, particularly her adaptation to life as a double agent and her psychological recovery from imprisonment.

Essential Reading for Historical Fiction Enthusiasts

A Bookseller in Madrid succeeds brilliantly as both entertainment and education, offering readers an accessible entry point into one of the twentieth century's most tragic conflicts while celebrating the enduring power of books to provide comfort, wisdom, and hope. Escobar has created a worthy addition to the canon of World War II literature, one that honors both the victims of fascism and the cultural traditions they died defending.

[Gabriella Saab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deftly captured and eloquently told, Mario Escobar's A Bookseller in Madrid is an important, powerful tale bringing tragic circumstances and resilient characters together in an often-overlooked time in Spanish history. This story is an impressive testament to literature's ability to provide comfort, strength, and hope even in the darkest of times.

[Toni Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Late 1930’s Madrid

Mario Escobar knows how to pull us into moments in history and has a way to mesmerise us with his rich and active narrative. His favourite topics bring us to Spain usually when the world is upside down. His latest is factional but the story is woven against a background of real people, places and events.

“The Bookseller in Madrid” pulls us into the world of Barbara Spiel, a German woman who fled Nazi Germany after witnessing the chilling Nazi book burnings events. She ended up in Madrid smack in the middle of political chaos to open a bookshop, a haven for free thinkers. She soon gets caught up in the politics between Franco’s fascists, Stalinist, republicans, communists and others fighting to maintain or gain political control. She also married Juan, a mid-level government official in the Second Spanish Republic at the time.

Just as Germany seems to be leading Europe toward a Second World War, Spain appears to be headed toward a brutal Civil War.

This is her story…

This story grabbed me from the start although slow moving at first with lots of insights of political atmosphere at that time, all the information can be overwhelming but I urge you to be patient the time is worth it. The last half is a real page-turner. It provides the challenges those who flee their own countries to live in unfamiliar places had to face, it was even tougher when the environment is unsafe.

In his notes, the author state that he made every attempt to accurately portray the primary setting and the political reality of Madrid at the time, a Madrid controlled by the checas that terrorized a vast number of citizens. I think he achieved his goal…

Interesting and captivating at the same time. Excellent read: well said and well done.

I received this ARC from Harper Muse via Netgalley for my thoughts: this is the way I see it.

[The Bibliophile Doctor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Bookseller in Madrid
A Novel
by Mario Escobar
Narrated by Lauren Ezzo

Audiobook rating : 4 stars
Book rating : 4 stars
Overall rating : 4 stars


I have read a book by Mario Escobar sometime back and I loved it. The book name is forgotten names. I enjoyed reading it and when I saw another book by same author I had to pick it up.

And I enjoyed this one as well. A bookseller in Madrid is about Barbara who is trying to live a normal life but being born in Germany in times of Hitler isn't easy and when struggle is for survival, one needs to go to any heights to protect themselves and their family.

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Muse audio for this wonderful audiobook ARC in exchange of an honest review.

[Sue Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐
While I have always been fascinated by the Spanish Civil War and its prescient role in global politics, I can't say that I truly understand all the parties and forces that contributed. This book is a fictional account of several actua thel women combined into one who emigrated to Spain and opened a bookstore. Bárbara Spiel, escaping Germany, goes to Spain to open a bookstore and eventually married a Spaniard elected to the legislature. Overall, I recommend the book with two caveats. The first is that I felt a step removed from connecting with the characters most likely caused by translating from Spanish. And the second is just the politics of that time are confusing to most readers and the book slows trying explain especially in the first third. Even so, there's a really good story there. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[The History Mom]

This book packs an emotional punch as you follow the horrific tale of Barbara as she moves from Nazi Germany to Madrid in the years before the Spanish Civil War. The streets of Madrid come to life in this novel where the love of reading is what saves even amidst so much devastation. I was holding my breath as Barbara encountered brutality from all sides and tried to find her way to peace. It’s a must-read for anyone trying to understand the complex Spanish Civil War.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my review.

[Marta Sánchez M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Parece el borrador de lo que podría haber sido. Personajes planos, escenas que terminan abruptamente sin un ulterior desarrollo, lenguaje básico y un escenario, que, aunque bien explicado, parece más un libro de texto que una novela y que no transmite sentimientos.

Me lo he terminado saltando párrafos completos por la curiosidad de saber el final de la familia protagonista

[mira · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me warn you: this review is purely subjective and may not be taken as objective truth.

Have you ever seen videos about expectation and reality during online shopping? Apparently it can be the same with the books. My expectation and the reality turned out to be two entirely different concepts, and I think that is the main issue, all the other troubles with the book experience stem from. Given the title and the description (at least the way I've read it) I expected the bookshop to be the key point in the plot. To be the safe haven. To be crucially important. However, it didn't feel that way. I heard more about the church, school, and the other places.

Another issue is that it feels like a history textbook. If we take some dialogues and put them next to a history textbook text, one will find it hard to figure out which was what. I wanted to live the historical events through the lives of characters, not through dry info-dumping.

For the first time in a while, I also had the complaints about audiobook narration. I'm not sure all the accents and different voices were necessary, the change between them wasn't smooth and sometimes painful to hear. That is not to shame the narrator — I think she put in her best — but to point out the thing that probably was part of the requirements but came out messy and seems unnecessary.

Thank you NetGalley, the author, the publisher, and the audio narrator for this book

[Cindy Fox · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of factual information about the politics leading up to the Spanish Civil War, but characters not well developed and storyline choppy.

[Brianna Barlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fictional story that was pretty accurate with the events taken place. This I found interesting due to my love of Spain. However I would not recommend to the average reader. Didn’t have much feeling and character development. Events seemed to jump from situation to situation. It was lacking something writers can do and I cannot explain…

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is set mostly in Spain, mostly in the 1930's, but also during WWII. Barbara has fled her home in Germany because of the rise of Hitler and fascism. Her father, who has been an outspoken opponent of Hitler's, had already been forced to leave Germany. She opens a bookstore in Madrid, and her love of books, as well as the power of books and stories, is a common theme throughout this novel. Barbara falls in love with a young man who is part of the resistance to the spread of fascism, and the dictatorship of Franco, as civil war erupts across Spain. The book banning, and then book burning, as well as increasing stories of torture and murder by Franco's forces, threaten Barbara's home and livelihood, as well as the lives of her husband and young son. This was an engaging story, and for me a look at fascism at a little different angle, being set in Spain. It is a sobering exploration of history, and of the human capacity for hatred and violence, as well as for love, compassion and resistance to evil.

[Alexandra Morales · Rating 2 out of 5]

****Many thanks to Netgalley and Harper Muse for an advanced eArc in exchange for my honest opinion****

There is a MASSIVE difference between storytelling and relaying facts and this book was definitely the latter..

The average person does not know the intricacies of which parties ran Spain, the parliament or how lower class citizens lived their lives. There was ample material to create a story but it was written so cut and dry I had a difficult time getting through a page let alone the entire book. The story is supposedly about Barbara? I had a hard time believing that... she was a secondary character to move the story (facts) along to the next scene. I was not captured whatsoever in this story.

If you want an intriguing story line and characters you will ACTUALLY care about and how Spain was in WWII I would definitely recommend Librarians of Lisbon.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. 3 stars for the narrative and the writing, which were not as compelling as I had hoped. 4 stars for how much information was packed into the story. This story had tons of potential. It is about a German Protestant bookseller who leaves Germany to follow her love to Madrid (and simultaneously flee the growing Fascism in Germany), where she hopes to open a bookstore. She lands in Madrid in time to encounter the eruption of the Spanish Civil War. I learned a lot about the Spanish Civil War, and for that I appreciated this book. However, the plot felt contrived and some of the situations the hero found herself in did not ring true. Often, it felt like a rote recital of events, with a female lead who felt more cardboard. I did not feel the male author captured her psyche, which was a shame. I did appreciate that some of the characters were actual historical figures (though not the female lead). I just wish the writing had been better and that the portrait of the lead character felt more realistic. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Bethany Mock (bethanyburiedinbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @librofm @harpermusebooks @bibliolifestyle #partner for the gifted copies of this book!

Lately I’ve been in such a historical fiction mood, and A Bookseller in Madrid by Mario Escobar felt like the perfect pick to scratch that itch. Like many WWII-era stories, this one shines a light on how difficult and dangerous life was, but through the lens of literature and resilience — which immediately hooked me.

We meet Barbara, who escapes Germany after witnessing a horrifying book burning (seriously...how rude). She makes her way to Spain after escaping that debacle and sets her sights on becoming a bookseller, which was not an easy dream back then. She meets her husband Juan once in Spain and he happens to be a member of the Spanish Republic’s government. Together they weather countless hardships and trials in a world that seems determined to make anything but easy for them.

I of course always love and mention that I love to learn when details are based on real people and events because not only am I entertained, I am educated! Yes! I especially appreciated the deep dive into the Spanish Civil War because honestly, it was a chapter of history I knew next to nothing about.

If I had one tiny wish? I would’ve loved even more detail about the bookstore itself. But even though I wanted a wee bit more on that I still felt this was a moving, powerful story about resilience, loyalty, and perseverance in the darkest of times.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ARC of this book. I devoured this is 2 days! It is a story of Barbara Spiers, a German woman who wants to open a bookstore. Due to all of the unrest in Germany in the 1930’s, she heads to Madrid. Barbara opens her shop, but encounters several dangerous encounters as the Spanish Revolution emerges.
This is a story of survival and the will to fight for your family. Although the main characters are fictional, many of the others are not. They are people who actually lived duress this time.

It is such an amazing story written by Mario Escobar. If you liked “The Women” by Kristen Hannah, you’ll love this book as well. I can’t recommend it enough!!

[B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great historical fiction with a bit of nonfiction thrown in. May have to add to my book club for 2026

[Karen Volz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Ashley Cyr · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2*

[Arno Ruusalepp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oli selline naisteka moodi lugu põimitud reaalsetesse ajaloo sündmustesse ja isikutesse. Suht uus teadmine selle aja hispaaniast.