Based on the true World War II story of the American Library in Paris, an unforgettable novel about the power of books and the bonds of friendship–and the ordinary heroes who can be found in the most perilous times and the quietest places. Paris, 1939. Young, ambitious, and tempestuous, Odile Souchet has it all: Paul, her handsome police officer beau; Margaret, her best friend from England; … her best friend from England; Remy, her twin brother who she adores; and a dream job at the American Library in Paris, working alongside the library’s legendary director, Dorothy Reeder. When World War II breaks out, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear–including her beloved library. After the Nazi army marches into the City of Light and declares a war on words, Odile and her fellow librarians join the Resistance with the best weapons they have: books. Again and again, they risk their lives to help their fellow Jewish readers, but by war’s end, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal.
Montana, 1983.
Odile’s solitary existence in gossipy small-town Montana is unexpectedly interrupted by her neighbor Lily, a lonely teenager craving adventure. As Lily uncovers more about Odile’s mysterious past, they find they share not only a love of language but also the same lethal jealousy. Odile helps Lily navigate the troubled waters of adolescence by always recommending the right book at the right time, never suspecting that Lily will be the one to help her reckon with her own terrible secret.
Based on the true story of the American Library in Paris, The Paris Library is a mesmerizing and captivating novel about the people and the books that make us who we are, for good and for bad, and the courage it takes to forgive.
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Thanks to Atria books, I got to read The Paris Library well ahead of release day. This wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but I found it a rewarding read. Based on a true story, The Paris Library is set in 1983 Montana but goes back in time to tell of The American Library in Paris in 1939. A time when the desire was to keep the library open and to make sure both civilians and soldiers could have access to books. While told in dual timelines, Odile’s timeline in 1939 gets more of the story than Lily because her story ties into the present.
The book is well-researched, and it spoke of the naivety of those that lived a rather sheltered life. Odile didn’t fully understand what was going on in her backyard. While she considered herself close to her brother, she was more consumed with her first job than his concerns with Hitler. It was when she finally found the truth that she realized the repercussions of some of her actions. This tied into Lily, who made an unwise decision that hurts Odile, as it brings back the wrongs Odile committed during her youth.
This had a bit of a slow start for me, but I think that’s just because of the overall pacing of the book. Everyone that worked at the library had unique personalities and a role to play in Odile’s life. I liked the dual timelines and thought this was well-written. Overall, an enjoyable read.
I love WWII stories, and as a former librarian, of course I love libraries as well, so this was a novel I couldn’t pass up. I love the fact that so much of the story revolved around the American library in Paris; it was so fascinating to see how the library operated and to get glimpses of the patrons and employees. I also loved how the book took place in two time periods, and how Odile tried to pass along some things she’d learned to Lily–and how Lily also imparted some wisdom to Odile. The writing has an elegance to it that makes me wish I were more eloquent; while I’m hopelessly blunt American in my language, I adored the graceful French feel of the book. The characters in the book were realistic, with both virtues and flaws, and while I wish it were possible to dig deeper into some of their backstories, what I did get to see of them made me want to scoop them off the pages and bring them into my life. They’re also the sort of characters you desperately want to discuss with someone, so this is definitely a book to share with friends and book clubs!
4.5 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Historical fiction is my favorite genre. I search out novels that are set about, in or around books, libraries, book stores etc. I really wanted to love this book but I was somewhat disappointed overall. However a 3 from me means that it was a good book just not a great book, for me.
The novel is set during dual timelines, one in the past in 1939 through 1944 and the other in the more current time of 1983-1989.
The first is set in Paris as we follow Odelie through the years, first starting work at the American Library in Paris and then through the years of Nazi occupation in Paris. This was definitely the most interesting part of the novel, learning how the librarians continued to support their Jewish subscribers by delivering books to them since they could no longer use the library. They also sent boxes with books to soldiers that they could reach who were entrenched in the war effort. I didn’t feel the need for the romance between Odelie and Paul and their afternoon trysts in abandoned apartments i.e. “Paul kissed my hands, my cheeks, my lips. I wanted more. His skin on mine, our bodies entwined”, it felt as though I was reading romance. I didn’t think that this really added to the story and just took away from the seriousness of the subject. I would have liked more details about life in Paris under the occupation, not just how it affected the library.
The second timeline involves Lily, a high school student who has decided to try to interview their older French neighbor, Odelie, who keeps to herself most of the time. When Lily approaches her for an interview she is surprised that Odelie is going to grant her the interview. It seems that Odelie sees a lot of herself in Lily “ the same love of language, the same longings, the same lethal jealousy “. Lily learns a lot about how things were during the war for the Parisians involved with the library, how some were forced to leave after the occupation and how they continued to serve their subscribers. At one point however Lily and her best friend invade Odelie’s privacy and find letters that they don’t understand the meaning of. They are interrupted in their rummaging by Odelie who had returned to her home and discovered the girls there. Everything changes after that.
I really enjoyed the author’s notes and learned that many of the characters in the story were real people and the events actually occurred. The author worked as the programs manager at the American Library in Paris in 2019. She was told the story of what occurred during the occupation and spoke to members of the families of some of the characters. It is obvious that much research was done in writing this book.
One of my problems with the book was that I felt as though it moved very slowly and I think it would have been a stronger book without the second story line involving Lily. I found myself rushing through those chapters to get back to what I considered the “main story” presented in this novel.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher.
This novel is set to publish June 2, 2020
The Paris Library is a wonderful story based on true life during World War 2.
This strong cast of characters due their utmost to keep the American Library open while at the same time hiding books to save them from the Nazi’s and making sure those that have been banned are getting books delivered to them at their own risk.
The book is full of characters that love books , have their own demons that they are dealing with . It is a book of friendship, courage , love .
The book is also told from the prospective of years later when Odile , one of the main strengths for THe Paris Library , her story continues and you get more insight.
Loved this book, well written, the pages fly
You will cheer them on, you will cry with them and you will laugh with them .
Please take time to read the author’s notes at the end of the book.
Thanks to Net Galley and Simon and Schuster Canada for this informative and wonderful read.
bibliophilia, historical-novel, historical-research, Paris, Montana, family-dynamics, friendship, small-town, library, librarian
I felt as if I was there in the library in Paris with books and friends as war came not so slowly into lives. There were ways to serve others, patrons and soldiers and those fearfully waiting for whatever came next while hoping and praying that the journalists were wrong. And when the nazis came and books were more important than ever.
I had less luck with Odile’s later life in a small town in Montana in the 1980s sharing with a young girl who buried her mother and hated that her father was able to move on.
I was riveted to this amazing account that was real human history dressed up as fiction to disguise the wrenching effects of man’s thoughtlessness.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Atria Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
americanlibraryinparis.org
The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles is a fabulous and stunning dual-timeline historical fiction novel that travels between a cast of characters whose lives are intertwined with the American Library in Paris during the years 1939-1944 and small town Froid, Montana 1983-1989. Bringing these two places and times together as one is Odile Souchet.
When we first meet Odile, we find her in her early 20s just starting out in her first position of the library of her dreams, The American Library in Paris. Here we get to meet the most wonderful cast of characters whose personalities, intellect, and complexities literally jump out of the page for me. We read about the struggles that she faces at home with her family, with her profession, her colleagues, as well as the German Occupation of Paris.
We then get to meet Odile again in Froid, Montana many years later through her next door neighbor, young Lily. We also get to see Lily’s own concerns, struggles, and aspirations and find that while these are two totally different females, their hopes and dreams are quite similar.
I loved the alternating points of view, as well as the few chapters added throughout that add points of view with: Margaret, Miss Reeder, Boris, and Paul. The way the author was able to weave together this passionate and unique subject with such amazing detail and splendid cast of characters truly made this book my favorite so far this year (and will be a top favorite for this whole upcoming year to be sure). This was so ingenious!
There were several things that I truly loved about this book:
1. The storyline concerning the real-life AL in Paris and the difficulties its patrons, staff, and their friends and families had to experience with the Occupation during WWII made this well-written topic (the Occupation of France specifically) with the wonderful, heartfelt characters made this book unique, fresh, and excellent in every way.
2. I loved the two main characters: Lily and Odile. Often when reading a book with multiple stories, I find myself rushing through a specific character or their story to get to another that I find more interesting, however in this case, I loved both stories equally. That is a rarity indeed! I loved how both women were like-able, realistic, flawed, brave, independent, strong and intelligent, both had a solid moral-compass that was never lost despite their mistakes and errors. Both women valued their friends and family, and even with errors, always found their “north star” back home.
3. I loved the locations and the author’s ability with her dialogue, descriptions, and prose to make me feel as if I was actually under the Montana skies and also walking through the long halls filled with the sights and smells of history and older, trusted books. I loved it!
4. I loved the cast of secondary characters. Often times I find the collection of surrounding characters lacking, or despicable. Here, I actually loved every one of them. Not one was truly “bad” or completely “perfect”. Everyone had faults and made mistakes, but all had definite redeeming qualities and I actually cared what happened to every one of them. A rarity for me!
5. I loved the growth and change of the characters as the years went on. No one was static and everyone changed and evolved due to their experiences and surroundings.
6. I loved the concept of the Dewey Decimal System that Odile used to associate feelings, emotions, character traits, situations, and people. It is so unique and I absolutely loved it!
7. I truly enjoyed the author’s note at the end that discussed what was true, what was an inspiration, and what was changed/added for the purpose of the story. I learned so much while reading this book about the international library systems. It is always a plus to be able to find out something new while reading historical fiction.
8. Finally, I loved the ending: for Lily, Odile, as well as their ending together. No other ending could have been more appropriate and perfect.
This was truly a unique and amazing book. I will be reading this book over and over again. I know I will pick up even more on my subsequent visits.
An excellent and memorable book. Truly a gem.
5/5 stars enthusiastically
I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book based on the real American library in Paris. The novel takes place in Paris during the German occupation and in the 1980’s in a small Montana town. Nineteen-year-old Odile Souchet takes a job in the American Library in Paris at the start of World War Two. She experiences love, loss, courage, and betrayal—all life lessons she is able to pass on to her young neighbor many years later. A page-turner of a novel with memorable characters,