Paris. Required fields are marked *. When the Nazis march into the city, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Investigators find her empty car on the edge of a deep, gloomy pond, the only clues some tire tracks nearby and a fur coat left in the carstrange for a frigid night. Did it feel like you were reading a YA novel and a historical novel? What role did her unfaithful husband play, and what was he not telling investigators? I think he anger was always visible, I agree with you that Paul was missing from the wrap up of the book but also Odiles parents. However, he forbids Jewish subscribers from entry. A powerful novel that explores the consequences of our choices and the relationships that make us who we arefamily, friends, and favorite authorsThe Paris Libraryshows that extraordinary heroism can sometimes be found in the quietest of places. I was not familiar with this one prior to seeing it on the list and since Im a huge fan of historical fiction, I decided to check it out. For example, The Nightingale dealt with female Resistance couriers and the French occupation. Duke Kincaid owns most of Claiborne County, both financially and politically. Lets talk about the friendship between Odile and Lilywhat did they both learn from each other? British literature.). Odile Souchet is obsessed with books, and her new job at the American Library in Paris with its thriving community of students, writers and book lovers is a dream come true. In a moment of anger, Odile reveals Margarets secret to Paul but immediately regrets doing so. When war is declared, the Library is determined to remain open. Paris, 1939: Young and ambitious Odile Souchet has it all: her handsome police officer beau and a dream job at the American Library in Paris. When the women meet drooling over a boardwalk storefront that none of them can afford on her own, a plan is hatched to divide the space in three, and a friendshipand business partnershipis born. Thats not to say that schoolgirl crushes and adjusting to the woman her father marries after her mother dies arent valid storylines, but can they really hold a candle to the Gestapo arresting one of Odiles best friends? I get what the author was trying to convey but I didnt think it was executed in the best way. What is real, and what is mystery? There is an element of predictability in Janet Skeslien Charles The Paris Library from the get-go it doesnt take Sherlock Holmes to figure out what might happen at the end of the book, but I do not say this in a critical manner. As a graduate student in 1942, Eva was forced to flee Paris after the arrest of her father, a Polish Jew. So does defining family. The answers unspool in this well-plotted and richly populated novel, primarily through Odiles and Lilys alternating, first-person narrations. While a fundamentally decent person, Odile displays the human weaknesses of jealousy and anger. Honestly, at times I wondered if Id stumbled onto a YA novel. But amidst the dazzling creativity of the city's most famous citizens, four regular people are each searching for something they've lost. She recovers from her fit of jealousy with Bitsi and repairs that relationship. But then the Nazis invade Paris, and everything changes. Who was your favorite secondary character? He was so kind and intuitive with Odile and others. The twist actually took away from the story for me. What makes this book interesting plot-wise is that the storyline alternates between the early 1940s Paris and small-town 1980s Froid, Montana. Even though this was clearly historical fiction based on real events, were you surprised to learn in the afterward that many of the characters were based on real people? And the sound of masticating between sentences? A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Despite knowing about Lilys faults, Odile loves her unconditionally and accepts her. How do you think Odile helps her cope with that? While Odile develops a close friendship with Margaret, she also is envious of her lifestyle. Susan Mallery. FAMILY LIFE & FRIENDSHIP | The book in the photograph, an eighteenth-century religious text thought to have been taken from France in the waning days of the war, is one of the most fascinating cases. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Located just two blocks from the Eiffel Tower, the private American Library in Paris has welcomed bibliophiles since 1920. An impromptu celebration on the beach at sunset with champagne becomes a weekly touchpoint to their lives as they learn more about each other and themselves. As Odile describes some of them to a dying American soldier whom shes tending: Theres an Englishmanimagine a crane wearing a paisley bow tie. Bhd. Hugo's close lady friend. As the war proceeds and the Nazis take over the city, she fears for her twin brother, who has been captured by the Germans, places herself in danger by transporting books to Jewish patrons who are forbidden to visit the library, and begins to question some of her boyfriend's actions. influencers in the know since 1933. Schwab, Q&A with Hannah Richell, Author of The River Home, Book Club Questions for The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle, Book Club Questions for The Girl With the Louding Voice by Abi Dar, 10 Book Club Books to Read in Summer 2023, Book Club Questions for Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano, Review: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano, Book Club Questions for The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes, Book Club Questions for Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, (Updated April 2023) Reeses Book Club Picks: Entire List, Book Club Questions for Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, Book Club Questions for Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan. She loves to read, has memorised the Dewey Decimal system for cataloguing library books, and has developed a clever way of coping with strong emotions, which is to immediately relate her feelings to a book and its number. Courtesy of Elizabeth Yoon. Intellectually curious and socially awkward at times, Lily reminds Odile of her younger self. This work of historical fiction, based on a true story, highlights courage, the importance of keeping intellectual curiosity alive, and the meaning and value of friendship. Her interest is piqued by her solitary, elderly neighbor. Even beyond the wartime drama, the ALP community, many of them true historical figures, are an engrossing, colourful coterie of regulars. Based on the true Second World War story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris who risked their lives during the Nazi's war on words, The Paris Library by award-winning novelist Janet Skeslien Charles is an unforgettable story of romance, friendship, family, and of heroism found in the quietest of places. Odile, who recently eloped with Paul at his urgent request, has no idea what happened and worries when Margaret doesnt attend a party for her and Paul at the Library. For those of you who arent aware, Im an avid reader of historical fiction, and as such, Ive read plenty of WWII historical novels, particularly those set in Occupied Paris. Try not to hold that against them; you never know whats in their heart. Lily often thinks about this quote. One character is a link in both, a French woman who emigrates at the wars end and spends the rest of her life in Montana. Odile describes them to a dying American soldier she tends to: Theres an Englishman imagine a crane wearing a paisley bow tie. Join the Bookclubs newsletter for monthly reading recommendations,book club tips, giveaways, and more. And his French frienda walrus with a bushy mustache. Despite the fact that Nazis often destroyed art and literature, they seemed to recognize that learning and reading were still important enough to keep the library open. Paris, 1939: Young and ambitious Odile Souchet seems to have the perfect life with her handsome police officer beau and a dream job at the American Library in Paris. Odile begins a romance with Paul and thinks she has it all. Chapter-by-chapter summaries and multiple sections of expert analysis, The ultimate resource for assignments, engaging lessons, and lively book discussions. For the young Parisian Odile Souchet in the winter of 1939, working in the American Library in Paris sounds like her ideal job. Together with her fellow librarians . The Paris Library is a dual-timeline story of family, friendship, resistance, romance, betrayal, heroism, bravery, and books. On that note, Ive provided book club questions and a delicious food ideas for The Paris Library, so if you are looking for book club ideas and more, keep reading! PARIS, 1939 Odile Souchet is obsessed with books, and her new job at the American Library in Paris - with its thriving community of students, writers and book lovers - is a dream come true. ", Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Names, "Intelligent and sensuously rich.A novel tailor-made for those who cherish books and libraries.". Bookseller friend of Hugo. As different as Odile and Lily are, the two are drawn to each other by their similarities outside of a love for books and reading, their heads are full of dreams and they possess a quick wit and instinctive understanding of their surroundings, but they also tend to jeopardise friendships because of their inability to hold their tongues. Staunch prohibitionist Mary goes to war against the bootleggers using an enforcer who employs extreme violence. In the first, book-obsessed teenager Odile Souchet tackles her new job at the ALP amid a thriving community of students, writers and avid readers. She even loves the way books smell. And when Margaret begins a relationship with a Nazi solider, shes horrified. Surely you know where this is going, by this point? Margaret, an English woman in a loveless marriage, finds a home at the Library and begins a friendship with Odile. He knew arresting those people was wrong. Television buffs will smile at the Kincaids resemblance to the Roys of Succession. View my Affiliate Disclosure page here. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. If you are looking for food ideas for The Paris Library, Im sure your book club will be happy to try any of the foods on this list!The Paris Library Book Club Questions and Food Ideas. There she meets a young woman who is the same age she was during the war and who badly needs a life coach. What was the rippling impact of Remy joining the French Army? But the author has a clear affection for both Paris and the American Library, where she worked as a programs manager in 2010, and she integrates the stories of many of the real-life employees and patrons of the library into the story with finesse, earning the novel its own place in the pantheon of World War II fiction. That said, I had a major problem with the audio version. A common theme, in both Paris and Montana, is jealousy and the horrible toll it can take. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Its a city I truly love and reading this was a balm for my travel-deprived senses, reliving the City of Lights, even if it was in the pre-war years of the 1940s. Through her, we see how the war affected citizens of Paris and those who stayed through the Nazi occupation of France.The Paris Library, (Also, can we just stop and appreciate how beautiful the cover of this book is?). The totality of the ALPs anti-Nazi efforts seems to involve delivering books. Drama. Carrying the guilt of betraying Margaret, Odile wears Margarets parting gift, the belt, until Lilys high school graduation. Eva Traube Abrams, a semi-retired librarian in Florida, is shelving books one morning when her eyes lock on a photograph in a magazine lying open nearby. Todays topic: Prousts madeleine, should it have been a croissant?. The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles Publication Date: March 1, 2022 Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction Paperback: 384 pages Publisher: Atria Books ISBN-10: 1982134208 ISBN-13: 9781982134204 Librarian at the American Library. LITERARY FICTION | If your book club is reading this one, check out my book club questions here. "The Paris Library" marks Janet Skeslien Charles's second novel of her writing career. Its an interesting tactic to connect the past with more of the present. World War II Paris during the German occupation forms the setting for an intelligent and sensuously rich novel of a young woman's coming-of-age. Additionally, Odile motivates Lily to stand up for herself and insist on achieving her goal to attend college. How would this have changed your reading? I completely agree! RELEASE DATE: May 31, 2022. Did it satisfy you or were you left wishing for more? Each day, they light a stinky cheroot and debate. If you love libraries and are interested in how a library stayed open during the entire war in the center of conflict, The Paris Library is a great book club choice. Fran Hawthorne is an award-winning novelist and nonfiction author. Oftentimes, its not surprisingfor instance, Kristin Hannahs The Four Winds is currently number one. Were you shocked by what happened to Margaret? It is charming and moving, with a perfect balance between history and fiction., Tatiana de Rosnay, New York Times bestselling author of Sarah's Key, A fresh take on WWII France that will appeal to bibliophiles everywhere. One night in search of lost time. When Charles worked there in 2010, she was captivated by the story of. RELEASE DATE: Feb. 2, 2021. Odile initially blames Bitsi, Rmys love and her friend, for his decision but later repairs the friendship. A thoroughly enjoyable read, kind-hearted and brimming with delightful bookish allusions." Let me know what you thought about it! But erasing people comes with a price, and along with a mysterious, handsome forger named Rmy, Eva decides she must find a way to preserve the real names of the children who are too young to remember who they really are. 2018 The Edge Communications Sdn. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The interview with Miss Reeder, the Directress, begins well, but Odile falters when asked her reasons for wanting to work at the Library. I think Paul attacked Margaret to distance himself from his own guilt, directing his self-hatred at her and pretending he wasn't the collaborator, she was. When Odile goes to his office to appeal for help finding Professor Cohen, she sees these crow letters, named for the black-hearted people who inform on their neighbors. Hugo's friend. A story of courage, defiance and betrayal in Occupied Paris, perfect for fans ofAll the Light We Cannot See, The Book Thief andThe Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society. Her shorter work has appeared in revues such as Slice and Montana Noir. The tough test of time involves readers. Books connect a middle-aged ex-librarian and a schoolgirl, both of whomlong for similar things (Photo: Atria Books). by Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. FAMILY LIFE & FRIENDSHIP | And there is no mention of him at all at the end of the book. All Rights Reserved. The story is told via two parallel narratives. Strong and kind women, such as Professor Cohen of the Sorbonne and Library Directress Miss Reeder, are role models for Odile. In December 1926, Agatha Christie goes missing.