A library book that was due back in 1983 has finally found its way home, more than four decades later. The Greater Victoria Public Library shared the remarkable return on social media, saying the book may be one of the most overdue items it has ever had returned. The book is “War and Remembrance,” Herman Wouk’s Second World War novel, published in 1978 as the sequel to “The Winds of War.” The story follows the extended Henry and Jastrow families through the Second World War, picking up on Dec. 15, 1941, and continuing through Aug. 6, 1945. Library records show the book had been checked out multiple times over the years, dating back to the late 1970s. Its last recorded checkout was Sept. 1, 1983. It is not known who returned the book or where it had been during the years in between. And there’s one mystery still hanging over the book’s long overdue return: whether it comes with any fines. The library’s message was a gentle reminder that there is no need to be embarrassed about bringing an old library book home. “If you’ve discovered a long-lost library book at home, a friendly reminder that you can return library materials at any branch, any day, any time. No judgment, just happy reunions,” the Greater Victoria Public Library said in a social media post. CTV News Vancouver Island has requested an interview with the library for more details about the book’s return. And after 43 years, this book has finally had its own happy reunion. “War and Remembrance” is back at the library, ready for whatever chapter comes next.
