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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THE PARIS LIBRARY is a fictional tribute to the amazing librarians who kept the American Library open during World War II in Nazi-occupied Paris. Risking their lives and freedom, the library staff continued to include and care for their Jewish subscribers banned from the library.
The novel moves between WW2 in Paris, France, and the 1980s in Montana, USA, and is written from multiple perspectives. The first point of view belongs to french Odile, a young Parisian woman working at the library during the war and later living as a widow in Montana. The second viewpoint belongs to Montana-born, Lily, a young girl grieving the loss of her mother and life as she knew it. When the older woman’s and the young woman’s lives intersect, their unexpected friendship helps them learn, heal, and grow together.
THE PARIS LIBRARY is a thought-provoking read that reminds us about the importance of friendship, honesty, and compassion during chaotic and life-threatening times. Without friendship, honesty, and compassion, we risk becoming who or what we hate. THE PARIS LIBRARY is a superb choice for fans of THE GERMAN GIRL and LILAC GIRLS.
I was given a complimentary copy of THE PARIS LIBRARY in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you, Atria Books and Janet Skeslien Charles for the opportunity to read THE PARIS LIBRARY in advance.
Just when I thought I might be done with the WWII historical fiction, I picked up The Paris Library.
The story is inspiring. The thought of enduring the war and occupation is valiant enough, but to quietly disregard restrictions, be part of the underground resistance and make a difference is heroic. The author’s research is evident, and it is perfectly blended into this work of fiction. While the start is a little slow, overall the book is very good. The story is told in a dual timeline and by multiple narrators. It highlights all the fears people held during the occupation, but it does so in a “WWII Lite” way.
I loved the characters. Odile makes so many mistakes– to the point that some might think her an unlikable character. However, her mistakes mostly involve shades of grey, and she learns from each of them and punishes herself for all of them. In fact, most of the characters are flawed in some way, however, by the end of the book, readers learn of their struggles, qualities or actions that redeem them.
In present day, Lily, who lives next door to Odile, has lost her mother and must endure her father moving on. She is forced to accept not only a step-mother but also to help care for her half-siblings. It is through Lily’s friendship with Odile that we learn of both their struggles. Their symbiotic relationship provides each of them with things missing in their lives. They enrich one another’s lives.
The Paris Library is a beautiful story of choices, consequences, family, and friends. It is about loss, betrayal, and standing up for yourself and others.
#MustRead2020
A well written story told with dual time lines. The characters were interesting and their desire to get books to readers during German occupation was phenomenal.
I enjoyed the story! Great cover too!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy
Great Story! Anyone who loves books and WW history will like this book too!
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from Atria Books and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
An absolute treasure!
This story is told in alternating time times to draw the history of the past into the present. In 1939 Paris, Odile Souchet fulfills her ambition to work at the American Library in Paris. She always wanted to follow in the foot steps of her Aunt Caroline who was a librarian. The only thing more important than the library to Odile is her twin brother Rémy.
In 1983, Lily lives in a small town of Montana dreaming of lands far away. She is curious about her elder neighbor from Paris. Mrs Gustafson always keeps to herself and seems lonely since the death of her husband Buck. The neighbors only referred to her as the “war bride” since she moved to Montana with Buck after his recuperation from the war. He has been promised to his high school sweetheart before the war. Lily becomes interested in why this elegant woman would move to Montana from Paris. She decides to interview Mrs Gustafson for a school paper.
Lily is pleasantly surprised when the woman agrees to come over for tea. Lily gradually learns that Odile Gustafson lived in Paris during a dangerous period of war. When Odile agrees to give Lily French lessons the two gradually build a bond. The once lonely Odile becomes an important part of her life as well as her family. The stories of the past begin to help heal Odile of guilt and remorse and teach Lily valuable life lessons to take with her as she graduates high school. They both learn that life has more meaning when shared with others, both the good and the bad.
This is a beautiful story based on true WWII stories of the heroic librarians at the time. In particular, the American Library in Paris where Odile and her fellow librarians work with the Resistance to move books from the library that might otherwise be destroyed. They contrive a way to send books to the soldiers and bring books to Jewish people no longer allowed in the library. In the midst of war, they find love and friendship but also secrets and betrayal.
The themes of the past continue to the present as does the human condition’s tendency to fall prey to jealousy and loyalty. A wonderful story about the tribulations of family loyalty, betrayal and forgiveness, fear and courage, friendship and commitment.
I had no idea when I started this book that it was based in truth and that many of the characters were real. The struggles of the American Library of Paris during World War II were intense and very real. The characters believed strongly in the value of the written word and what it provides tot he human race. They not only provided books to the patrons in France (of many nationalities), but they sent books to soldiers and smuggled books to those Jews who were no longer admitted because of the German invasion.
The dual timeline was extraordinary in this case. It exhibited the life of Odelie during the war and then in America in the 1980’s. Not only did she go through the hardships of the war, but she experienced many traumatic events based around her friendships with many people at the Library. She experienced extreme loss and betrayal.
This book shook me to the core when I discovered the people were real when reading the author’s notes at the end. It’s so hard to believe what these people went through and were witness to. This is an incredible book that should be read by everyone!.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
This is a wonderful book to read, both educational and entertaining. Portrays live in Paris just before and during German occupation intermingled with live in 1983 in a small town in Montana. It shows that war brides where not always welcomed with open arms but often treated as the foreigner that they were who had stolen the man from the local girlfriend left behind when the man went to war.
Prior to the second world war the adult population in Paris still had vivid memories of the First World War and would often talk about it now that a new occupation seem to be hanging over their heads.
The father that wants to see his daughter safely married, to become a housewife and mother instead of a self-depending woman that brings in her own salary, starts to invite eligible bachelors (daddy approved) from his work for Sunday dinner.
The description of the mother guarding the daughter when they notice her having some interest in one of the men reminded me of my older sister’s dating. There wasn’t much private time allowed.
The changing attitude of the population that had to be careful what was said and who they associated with.
The role the French police played in arresting Jews, not that they have much choice if they wanted to keep their jobs.
As a reader you slowly become involved with the various characters, like or dislike them, know their fears and joys.
I highly recommend this book.
We get to know Odile both then and now as her history is revealed through present interactions, memories that play out in her mind, and the steps she is willing to take to try to put the past to rest. Both versions of this character, young and older, are fascinating. She lived a life some would be envious of, while others would see the undercurrents she swam against and run for the hills. She was bookish and sought out her soul’s delight, a job in the hallowed halls of the American Library, and while first impressions with the powers that be were not what she had hoped, the support she received from the cast of characters already laying themselves at our feet was heartwarming, and just the boost she needed to let her written words express what in person she initially could not. It’s funny actually how someone who found it hard to express what she held deeply as a part of her self, should have to learn the lesson of holding her tongue in the coming years.
It all begins and ends with a curious neighbor girl knocking on Odile’s door at just the right moment, and turning both their world’s upside down. Lily would never know just how much she was a force of good in Odile’s life, though their connection, their love and fondness for each other grows with every coming-of-age lesson learned along the way. She would know how cherished she was. She would know that someone was there for her, come what may. She would know that life goes on, even after the darkest of nights, and that there is always something or someone worth reaching for.
Honestly, I can’t wait to see this one actually in print because I know despite having read the eARC, I’ll have to have a copy on my own shelf. It was just that good. So, if you like Historical Fiction with both heart and lessons to be learned, or are even perhaps bookish yourself, this is a title I’d be setting my sights on come February for certain.
**eARC received for review; opinions are my own
I have been waiting for this book forever (it seems)! Told by alternating voices in 1939 and 1983 it’s the story of the American LIbrary in Paris and the people who worked there and saved it during WW II. Odile Souchet has landed her dream job at the American Library. The director is a wonderful teacher and Odile is surrounded by wonderful people all driven by their love of books and the Library. And then the Nazi’s arrive…at first Odile is afraid they will steal the books and destroy the library as they have done in other countries, but the Nazi officer in charge is a bibliophile and he wants to save the library (at least, what he thinks the library should be). As time goes by and the occupation becomes more and more brutal, people begin to disappear and relationships change. Who can you trust? What should you do? How many risks can you take? Odile is tested in more ways than she could ever have imagined.
In 1989, Lily is a young girl living in a nothing town in Montana where in her eyes nothing ever happens. She is curious about the mysterious French woman who lives next door but talks to no one. Who is she, how did she meet her American husband, and why doesn’t she participate in community life? As Lily develops a relationship with her neighbor, the neighbor shapes Lily in many ways, much as the people at the American library and the Nazi occupation shaped Odile.
The Paris Library is not just a great read, it’s very satisfying! That might not sound like a very exciting thing, but it is when you finish and say “what a great book! I think I’ll read it again!”/
4.5 shining stars rounded down for a story of love, betrayal, sadness, courage and coming of age, all wrapped up in one book. This book is based on actual events in Paris during WWII. The American Library in Paris remained open during the German occupation. Heroic librarians did deliver books to Jewish subscribers as depicted in the book.
The book opens with Odile Souchet applying for a job at the American Library in Paris. It is February, 1939. She is hired for the job of her dreams. She loves books and has memorized the Dewey Decimal system. Odile’s father is a Paris Police supervisor and brings to Sunday dinners a procession of prospective suitors, until Paul, who wins her heart. But then war comes and Odile’s brother Remy joins the army.
The book is told in two time frames: Paris, from 1939-1944 and Froid, Montana, US, from 1983 to 1984. In 1983 Odile is now the widow of Buck Gustafson, a American soldier that she met in Paris. Young Lily is a lonely teenager looking for something beyond the boredom of living in a remote small town in Montana. She decides to interview Mrs. Gustafson for a school report.
This begins a friendship that teaches Lily the French language and so much more about life, love and friendship.
My wife read this book before me also thoroughly enjoyed it.
Odile’s father: “Like the turkey Maman trussed and sprinkled with parsley, Papa presented each one on a platter: ‘Marc has never missed a day of work, not even when he had the flu.”
Odile on love; “I had learned that love was not patient, love was not kind. Love was conditional. The people closest to you could turn their backs on you, saying goodbye for something that seemed like nothing. You could only depend on yourself.”
Thanks to Atria Books for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
As we start this story, France like most countries do not want to go back to war, they are still stinging from WWI, and naive to think they are too strong for Germany to bother.
We follow a young woman as she begins her life journey, and her hearts desire to become a Liberian, and starting at the American Library in Paris. Yes, this book is based on true stories.
Lifelong friendships, and betrayal, love and jealousy, sharing and greed, all forms of human emotions, and all played out in this page turning read.
We put faces to this journey, and sometimes what you think is very wrong, and bombshells drop, most I never saw coming, but you will be walking in these characters shoes!
I am glad I decided to read this one!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Atria Books, and was not required to give a positive review.
#The Paris Library# is by Janet Skeslien Charles. This book is an historical fiction book. This historical fiction book is a time split novel that involves the 1930-1940’s and the 1980’s. This book takes place during World War II in Paris , France. Odile works at the American Library in Paris. She has such a kind heart. She does everything possible to keep the library open . Lily meets Odile in Montana in the 1980’s.. The library is a way to reach out to the people during the very anxious days of World War II.. American library is a refuge for those who are hurting. They can remove themselves from their stress by reading a book. The Nazi’s have rules that interfere the citizens every day life. They only allow certain books to be kept in the library. The American Library did exist during the war and it did make a difference for people. Both Lily and Odile are the narrators of the book. The book gives the readers insights into the challenges of World War II. Odile and Lily develop a friendship. They connect during the 1980’s. I was given this book by the publisher to read and review. The opinions are my own. Thank you to the publisher, author and netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
The Paris Library is such a memorable story! Set in France after the German invasion during WWII, American Odile gets a job at the library in Paris. I love historical fiction and this book did not disappoint! It goes between the 40’s in Paris and the 80’s in Montana. It’s filled with complex and developed relationships and strong themes of friendship, loyalty, and loss. Beautifully written book, and I was so sad when it ended as I had grown so attached to these wonderful characters!
For anyone who is a book lover, a book predominantly set in a library has to be interesting. This story takes place in The American Library in Paris and features Odile, a young Parisian woman, who loves books and has memorized the Dewey Decimal System. Her first job is in The American Library, and she loves all the staff and society members who frequent it.
This book has a split time frame. First with Odile in the 1930’s and 40’s working in the library during the onset of World War 2 and the takeover of Paris by the Germans. Then in the 1980’s, Odile is living in Montana and becomes friends with a young girl next door, Lily, who narrates the 1980’s story. Both Odile and Lily have endured loss and suffer from envy, jealousy, and frankness of speech which causes them to lose friends and find themselves in difficult situations. Their friends often played a role in both women’s actions and reactions.
The supporting characters, especially those who frequented the American Library were a varied and unique group. The bonds they developed along with their love for books created a very close knit group that supported one another until World War 2 began. As many had to basically hide in their homes due to possible Nazi reprisals, those who could continue to work at the library soon found themselves sneaking books to them.
Something I learned and found frightening was about “crow letters.” These were anonymous letters that were mailed to the police pointing fingers at people who were breaking Nazi rules and regulations. Often they led to Jews or undesirables being checked out and deported.
The mystery of how and why Odile left France and came to the United States is only revealed at the very end of the book which contained a multilayered plot and many factors that could just as well pertain to life in 2020.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles is a complicated story of a woman who survived in Paris during the Nazi occupation of WW II. Odile worked in the American Library from the time she began working. There she met people who loved books; those people were from many walks of life and led her many places, eventually to Montana, where she lost her husband and her son, and grew old alone. It is a heart-breaking tale of a time in history where evil seemed to be winning, and people did things they would never have believed themselves capable of. We think of the Holocaust as being about the Nazi’s cruelty in the concentration camps, but there is so much more. The cruelty extends to the places that Nazi’s occupied: the deprivations, the fear they decimated, and the deaths they caused.
Odile was a victim, time after time, actually, but most especially of a young woman whom had grown to love, who snooped, and drew the wrong conclusions, and broke Odile’s heart again. I have pretty much given up on Holocaust books. There is rarely a happy ending; how many different ways can the story be told? This was a lovely book, which told a heart-breaking story of betrayal. I cannot recommend it strongly enough.
I received a free ARC of The Paris Library from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #theparislibrary
Based on actual people and facts, this story unfolds a unique piece of WWII history. The American Library in Paris provides the background setting for this distinctive story told through the voice of Odile Souchet, a young Parisian woman who works at the library. In a dual timeline, the story begins in Paris in 1939 and alternates chapters with Odile and her neighbor, Lily, with their story beginning in 1983 in Froid, Montana.
The library, its dedicated staff of librarians, and the very unique set of patrons bring to life this story that will captivate the interest of readers of WWII and historical fiction.
When the Germans occupy Paris, the staff bands together to maintain their services as long as they can for all patrons, regardless of their ethnicity. The war brings difficulties and challenges that none of them could have imagined.
The novel follows Odile and Lily as they learn to deal with the challenges that life throws their way, even when there is no war involved. Friendship, love, and acceptance come in many forms as demonstrated in this poignant story.
A very compelling historical fiction novel that delves into WWII and a unique form of resistance! An unconventional and appealing cast of characters adds life to the story. A terrific book for fans of historical fiction and especially those with an interest in WWII!
This ARC copy was received from Atria Books and Netgalley.com. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.
#TheParisLibrary #NetGalley
I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is one of those stories that stays with you, long after you’ve finished. I couldn’t help falling in love with the characters, with their world, as sad as it was at times. Much like Odile and Margaret, I feel like I found a home at The American Library in Paris. This is a story of books and libraries, family and friendship, impossibly hard times and impossible decisions.
I have loved Paris from the moment I stepped foot in the city. Charles seemed to bring that lovely city to life effortlessly. I haven’t been to all the spots Odile and her friends frequented but I recognized enough to feel like I was walking the streets with her.
It was a pleasure to watch all the characters grow and change. They were beautifully unique and clearly had their own personalities. The relationship between Odile and Lily was like a slow-blooming flower and I enjoyed every moment of it. My only real criticism is that I found the few chapters from other perspectives (not Odile or Lily) to be rather unnecessary. I would’ve preferred them to not be there at all, or to have more chapters from other perspectives. The randomness of it was a little jarring.
Libraries and librarians are wonderful and seem to be sadly underappreciated these days. I will be forever grateful that Janet Skeslien Charles took the time to tell this story. From what I understand, there are many true details woven throughout this narrative. The courage of Miss Reeder, the determination of the Countess, the quiet strength of Boris, they deserve to have their stories told. Thank you for giving them a voice.
I will recommend this book to everyone!
Brilliantly written.
I was first attracted to this book because of the unique friendship between Odile and Lily. I also wanted to learn more about Paris during WW2, and what the people living there went through and how they overcame the challenges of everyday life. I was also curious about the American Library.
I was quickly drawn into the story and enjoyed learning about both Odile and Lily’s lives. There were a lot of twists to the story that I didn’t expect. I admired Odile’s strength and how no matter what was thrown in her path, she stood strong to her beliefs and followed her dreams. The one thing that took me by surprise was how she ended up in Montana. When Lily’s curiosity led her to Odile’s house, I was also surprised how close they became and the secrets they shared.
The author did a fantastic job writing this book. It is one that I won’t soon forget. It was entertaining and educational. It’s a story about friendships, family, finding love and the love of books.
This was a really great read, and a different twist on a WWII story. The Paris Library takes place in two different time frames Paris 1939, and Montana 1983.
Odile Souchet, is our main character along with many other great people who we meet throughout.
The Author herself, in 2010 worked as the programs manager at the American Library in Paris, where she heard stories of what happened during WWII, and about some of the real life people who would frequent, and work at the library.
This is about a library that sent books to servicemen, during the war, sneaked books to their subscribers who were no longer allowed to visit the library, because they would be persecuted, and it always provided a place where people would feel welcome and feel some sort of normalcy in their lives. They did everything they could to not close their doors during the war.
It talks about the Dewey decimal system of filing books, the love, people have for books and the relationships of the people who worked there, but also it questions who they were, did they help or hinder each other, were they who they said they were.
It was fun to figure out a couple of the mysteries, and sad to see what was happening once the Nazis invaded and started isolating the Jewish people and foreigners that lived in Paris, getting the french police to hand over the Jewish citizens to them.
When older Odile is living in Montana, a neighbors daughter, Lilly befriends her.
Lilly wants to know about Odiles life in France, and asks her if she could also teach her to speak French. Through this friendship, we find out more about the rest of Odiles life in France, and also about what is was like for her to live in a remote town in the USA.
Once again, a great read. I would like to thank NetGalley and Atria books for a copy of this book.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked, not loved it (I really, really wanted to love it). It was good, but not great.
Here’s what I liked:
I enjoyed that this was a different take on a WWII novel. The book is based on actual events and people involved with The American Library in Paris during WWII. I was able to learn a little about a part of the war I knew nothing about. I really enjoyed the characters of the ALP – those that worked there, that volunteered, and the subscribers. The book was really more about them – primarily those that worked there and the risks they took to care for not only their subscribers but also soldiers. I wish more of the book had focused on this. The idea of the story was something I really would have enjoyed if it had been better delivered. I will definitely visit the Library on my next visit to Paris.
Here’s what I struggled with:
1. It started off very slow. Like really slow. I was almost 30% into the book before the plot began. I thought about giving up many times before I got to that point. At other times it moved too quickly. Conversations suddenly ended, events over before they began. It was hard to follow sometimes. Many times I would think, “Wait, what just happened?”
2. It was often hard to like the main character, Odile, especially in the 1940s storyline. She was immature and naive and seemed to be oblivious to the seriousness of the events happening around her. I liked her much better in the 1980s storyline. I imagine she saw her younger self in Lily. That said, I didn’t really love the second storyline with Lily in the 1980s. I spent most of those chapters feeling like I was reading a different book and wondering why it was included. In Chapter 47 I found out why, and it was good, but there are only 48 chapters. Still, I think the story would have been better without that storyline.
3. I would have liked more at the end, less at the beginning. Like I said, I was 30% into the book before anything really happened. At the end, I wanted more. I felt it ended suddenly, especially Odile’s story. Did she write that letter in 1989? So many questions left where she’s concerned, but I won’t spoil it by mentioning them here.
Overall, I liked it. It was good, not great. If you choose to read it, persevere through the first 6 or 7 chapters to get to a decent story.
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and Atria Books for the advanced copy.