The Librarian of Burned Books: A Novel

Hannah is the title character of The Librarian of Burned Books, and arguably the central protagonist as she is the only character to appear prominently in all three storylines. She is introduced first in her own midpoint narrative of 1936, almost four years following the start of Althea’s narrative and roughly seven years preceding the start of Viv’s narrative. Her influence is strongly felt in both characters’ stories, making her the central axis around which each storyline revolves.

At the start of her story, Hannah is bitter and jaded, having been betrayed by someone she came to care for very deeply. Although her romance with Althea was brief, it was intense enough to leave a permanent mark. As Hannah reflects, “‘You only fall in love like that once, and then forever you love with a fractured heart. Healed though it may be’” (97). Although Hannah does later become involved with other women, she learns to love more cautiously and with less of herself on display than she did previously.

Although Hannah has clear ideas of right and wrong, she is guarded and does not easily extend herself for others. She attends the “study group” resistance meetings yet is unwilling to participate in the more drastic and violent measures undertaken first by Adam and, later, by Otto.