The Echo of Old Books: A Novel

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains mentions and descriptions of mental illness, death by suicide, and antisemitic sentiments.

The title The Echo of Old Books refers to Ashlyn’s ability to feel the emotions of a book’s previous owner. This leads her to Hemi’s and Belle’s books, which recount their tragic romance—a romance that serves as the main story’s central mystery. In two separate timelines, Barbara Davis tells a tale of deep heartbreak and misfortune, and through her characters, she explores how one starts over afterward.

In some ways, Hemi and Belle’s coupling is a difficult one from the beginning. They belong to different worlds, with different socioeconomic upbringings and political leanings. Despite the sparks that fly between them at their very first meeting, it is still an orchestrated one—a result of Hemi’s attempt to learn more about her father, Martin, for his article. When this ruse is eventually revealed, Belle’s sense of betrayal is heightened not only by Hemi’s deception, but also by his apparent willingness to exploit a personal tragedy: the loss of her mother to suicide.

This kickstarts a series of miscommunications that drive Hemi and Belle apart for more than four decades.