" Deeper still was the profound understanding for mankind as she lived in the minds of the characters. Over time, she had found such perspectives made her a more patient person, more accepting of others. If everyone had such an appreciation for their fellow man, perhaps things such as war would not exist. Such considerations were easy to muse over there in a rare beam of sunlight, but far more difficult to hold tight to in the blacked-out streets of London with Mr. Stokes. The improved weather brought with it an influx of bombers who sailed easily through the clear skies to unload their destruction. "

― Madeline Martin , The Last Bookshop in London: A Novel of World War II