description The Library Book Overview
"The Library Book" is a 2018 nonfiction work by author Susan Orlean that blends true crime and historical narrative. The text investigates the devastating 1986 fire at the Los Angeles Central Library, which burned for over seven hours and destroyed hundreds of thousands of books. Orlean uses this disaster as a framework to explore the broader history of the LA library system and the societal value of public libraries. The book appeals to readers of narrative non-fiction who appreciate detailed historical investigations.
help The Library Book FAQ
What event does The Library Book investigate?
Susan Orlean investigates the April 29, 1986 fire at the Los Angeles Central Library. The fire burned for more than seven hours and destroyed or damaged more than one million books.
Who was Harry Peak in The Library Book?
Harry Peak was an actor and frequent library patron who became a major suspect in theories about the 1986 fire. Orlean examines the evidence and uncertainty around his possible involvement rather than presenting a simple fictional mystery.
Is The Library Book only about the Los Angeles library fire?
No, the 2018 book combines true crime with the history of the Los Angeles Public Library and reflections on why libraries matter. The fire provides the central investigation, while chapters also explore librarians, architecture, collections, and public memory.
Who wrote The Library Book?
The author is Susan Orlean, a New Yorker writer known for narrative nonfiction. The 2018 book follows her earlier nonfiction work The Orchid Thief, but its subject is the Los Angeles Central Library and the culture surrounding libraries.
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