The Library of Leaving

by Emily Dunlay

The Library of Leaving, a new Fourth Estate book, full description to follow when available.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical

Audible Audio

Published August 27, 2026

Reviews

[rhema joy]

“The Library of Leaving,” set in the 1920s, follows a lonesome librarian who’s confronted with decisions she made to survive WWI. How’d her past catch up with her? Her ex, a WWI soldier she met while volunteering as a nurse, wrote a book spilling aaalll the details about their separation. Besides being a masterclass in how to be a majorly messy ex — on a serious note, this novel delivered a touching meditation on the power of storytelling as a comfort or tool for alchemy. Loved that, while Helen was the clear protagonist, the supporting characters had a strong foundation, too. The story did feel like it could be more concise at some points, which is always a risk with books that follow this format. Regardless, the story is packed with suspense and references to beloved literature – truly a book lover’s book.
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Disclaimer: advance copy provided courtesy of the publisher.

[Sue]

Wrong book, wrong time for me. I couldn’t latch onto the book from the beginning and this is a book I thought for sure I would love. DNF

[Annie]

Like many who had direct experience of World War I, Helen Fox never really recovered from the trauma. Years after the war ended and the combatants went home, Helen is still holed up in Geneva, Switzerland. She lives a lonely life these days in the American Library. She receives books from deceased Americans who don’t have heirs, keeping them organized for anyone who might visit the library looking for something to read. She occasionally goes out for drinks with an Austrian baron who does his level best to retain the elegance of pre-war culture. And she tries very hard not to think about the American soldier she fell in love with during the war. But in the opening pages of Emily Dunlay’s emotional and gripping novel, The Library of Leaving, a message arrives at the American Library that indicates that Helen’s secrets are about to be exposed...

Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.

[Lyn]

This was an intriguing book, set in 1926, but with links to events that happened in 1916. As information is slowly revealed, the search for an effective lightweight gun is the thing all participants in the war want. Helen is delegated the job of finding what Leo Lambie knows and is designing. However, her experiences change her perspectives and she falls in love with a fellow American. This story is about cultivating people, reading stories, and the portrayal of truth. At times, I wasn’t sure who to trust, but the eventual ending puts everything into context . This was a different type of story, with several timelines and the use of a novel in progress as well as a diary to provide information and perspectives, some of may have been unreliable. Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for allowing me to read this book.

[Heather]

⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper for the ebook!

Summary:
In the 1920s, Helen Fox is living a quiet life as a librarian in Switzerland when a package from someone in her past forces her to revisit the choices she made during the war and the life she has tried to leave behind.

My Review:
I secretly love the 1920s, and historical fiction is such a favorite of mine, so there was a lot here that I enjoyed. I loved the setting, the books, and the way Helen’s past slowly started coming back into the story.
Some parts just fell a little flat for me and did not completely pull me in the way I wanted. I still enjoyed it overall, but I think I wanted a little more from the story emotionally.

Would I Recommend?
Yes, especially if you love historical fiction, the 1920s, books, and slower stories about memory, love, and the past.

[Madeline Church]

3.5 stars! Of course I am going to pick up a historical fiction surrounded around librarians/libraries. There was no other option! I loved the first half; I truly did. I felt very immersed in the story and entertained by the characters. The historical aspect was really interesting to me. However, the second half seemed to lose that momentum for my reading experience. I enjoyed the writing more than I anticipated, but I wish I loved the second half as much as I did the first. I do recommend picking up this book if you love historical fiction!

Thank you NetGalley, Harper, & Emily Dunlay for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Library of Leaving is released on September 8, 2026!

[Judi]

I really enjoyed this story. While it is set in WWI, it is unique from other war stories I have read. The story opens with a woman who is the keeper of books that have arrived from estates of people who have passed on. Then it takes a major shift as the life of the librarian begins to be revealed. For quite a while, I wasn't sure where this was going, but I was intrigued. Once things start to move along, I was completely hooked and I raced through the second half of the story. Nearly a 5 star read for me. Highly recommend.

[moevisbooks]

Rezensionsexemplar
DNF

Leider war dieses Bauch nichts für mich. Ich fand den Schreibstil sehr gut, dennoch gab es viel zu lange Sätze, welche unnötig waren. Dadurch wurde es für mich etwas anstrengend der Textpassage zu folgen. Ich habe auch gedacht, dass es mehr um Helen und August geht und seine Bücher und nicht noch Bücher bzw. Tagebücher von Fremden.

[J W]

Absolutely amazing…

Emily’s second novel is a complex yet deeply humane story that raises provocative existential questions about what is done in the name of love or self preservation. An amazingly compelling WWI tale set mostly high in the Alps where the weather is as icy as the characters. Recommend.

[Teresa A. Mauk]

I enjoyed this book! It begins with an American woman living in Geneva in 1926, who is in charge of the American library there. Once a month, she receives a box of books that belonged to an American ex-pat who has passed away. She has a secret regarding her role in WWI and as the book progresses, her past catches up to her.

[Jenny]

A well written historical fiction book that unfortunately just wasn't for me. It will definitely find its readership though.