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. Nazi book inspector Dr. Fuchs, initially feared, turns out to be sympathetic to the Library. How would this have changed your reading? The Paris Library is superbly researched and has a plot twist at the end that I didn't expect. But the rest is certainly worthy. Margaret is eventually attacked by Paul and when Odile learns the truthshe leaves behind Paris forever to marry an American. Rogers fiance. 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. Among those who do is Rmy, whoto his familys horrorjoins the French army. Copyright 2023 Kirkus Media LLC. My sister, who is an avid reader, read the print version at the same time that I listened to the audiobook, and she loved it. 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. My novel, The Paris Library, tells the true tale of the international team of librarians who defied the Nazis in order to hand-deliver books to Jewish readers. Based on the true Second World War story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris who risked their lives during the Nazis 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. Books, libraries, Paris whats not to love? When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Books connect a middle-aged ex-librarian and a schoolgirl, both of whomlong for similar things (Photo: Atria Books). In 1939, Odile Souchet, the daughter of the captain of a police precinct, has just finished library school. The book also made it clear in the beginning, his disgust with women who snuggled up to Nazi's. Janet Skeslien Charles 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? Did this surprise you? Janet Skeslien Charles's latest novel, The Paris Library, introduces us to Frenchwoman Odile Souchet. What do you make of her complicated friendship with Margaret? Meanwhile, in 1980s Montana, Lily is a lonely teenager desperate to escape the small town she lives in, as she balances mourning for her late mother, her relationship with her fathers new wife and her misunderstood passion for the written word. In defiance of this edict, the Library workers deliver books to the homes of Jewish subscribers. GENERAL FICTION, by The American Library in Paris was able to stay open throughout the war. The novel is a dual timeline story and the second timeline follows Lily, a young girl in 1980s Montana who is now the neighbor of Odile Souchet. Related Topics . But amidst the dazzling creativity of the city's most famous citizens, four regular people are each searching for something they've lost. The Paris Library | Shelf Awareness 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. In 1983, Lily is an awkward teenager trying to find her place in small-town Montana. An awkward luncheon with a would-be suitor? Book Review: Reading is a rebellious act in Janet Skeslien Charles's However, her twin brother, Rmy, with whom shes close, and Paul, her new suitor, are supportive. She divides her time between Montana and Paris. Based on a true World War II story about the heroic librarians of the American Library in Paris (ALP), this book tells an unforgettable tale of romance, friendship and family in the most unusual of situations. When Odile visits Margaret, shes horrified. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Then, what seems like a small conflict elsewhere, suddenly escalates into war. Historical fiction concerning the intricate battles over succession within the family that controls a poor rural county in postWorld War I Virginia. Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. The Paris Library: A Novel. or ask your favorite author a question with Librarian at the American Library. 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. 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. FAMILY LIFE & FRIENDSHIP | What is real, and what is mystery? Reader Q&A, GENERAL FICTION, by The synopsis talks about a betrayal in the past and Ill be honest, I thought that twist was strange. Do you think that Odile knew that there would be consequences to telling Paul or not? I do recommend The Paris Library, but the print version, please. Each day, they light a stinky cheroot and debate. I love to read and review various genres with a focus on contemporary fiction, historical fiction with some mysteries/thrillers and also select nonfiction and memoirs. RELEASE DATE: May 31, 2022. 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 After all, she loves to read, speaks fluent English, and has memorized the Dewey Decimal system for cataloguing library books. Almost 40 years later, Lily befriends Odile, who lives alone and is isolated. Susan Mallery. Join the Bookclubs newsletter for monthly reading recommendations,book club tips, giveaways, and more. First Edition. Lily is a lonely teenager desperate to escape small-town Montana. A thoroughly enjoyable read, kind-hearted and brimming with delightful bookish allusions." The Paris Hours by Alex George: Summary and reviews - BookBrowse.com When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. 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. Book Clubs Janet Skeslien Charles After a scold at the Library informs on Professor Cohen, its Paul who arrests her. Together with her fellow librarians, Odile joins the Resistance with the best weapons she has: books. by Janet Skeslien Charles RELEASE DATE: Feb. 2, 2021. Odile loves her job at the Library, where she finds belonging among kindred spirits. A rollicking soap opera that keeps the pages turning with a surfeit of births, deaths, and surprising plot reveals. Family intrigue plays out against the backdrop of 1920s Claiborne County, where racism is a given, Prohibition is the law, and bootlegging is the main source of income for Blacks and Whites. 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. While the story comes down clearly on the side of all-encompassing love, Mallery has struck a careful balance: There is just enough sex to be spicy, just enough swearing to be naughty, and just enough heartbreak to avoid being cloying. Once Lily graduates from high school, Odile gives her a generous gift inspired by her own past. Categories: 841. In February of 1939, Odile interviews for her dream job at the American Library. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Your email address will not be published. More importantly, Odile prevents Lily from ruining a good friendship with Mary Louise, a schoolmate, in a fit of jealousy. This article first appeared on July26, 2021 in The Edge Malaysia. 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. Both her husband and son have passed away and she doesnt seem to have any connections with her past. Carrying the guilt of betraying Margaret, Odile wears Margarets parting gift, the belt, until Lilys high school graduation. ISBN-13: 9781250307187 Summary One day in the City of Light. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. This anger alarms Odile though her love for him is undaunted. 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. Her debut novel. After roaming the streets of Paris, Odile gravitates to the American Hospital, where she once volunteered and does so again. On September 3, 1783, the United States and Great Britain signed the Treaty of Paris, formally ending the Revolutionary War. The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles | Book Club Discussion And the sound of masticating between sentences? I think you see a gradual change in Paul as the war dragged on. He was doing the Nazi's dirty work. Well-researched, stirring, and rich with detail, THE PARIS LIBRARY is an ode to the importance of libraries, books, and the human connections we find within both. With a new job and a new love, Odiles future looks bright. Did it satisfy you or were you left wishing for more? I know the war changes people, but wasn't this a bit extreme? 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. And his French frienda walrus with a bushy mustache. Soon thereafter, Lilys father remarries. Hope you enjoyed book club questions for The Paris Library! 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. While that might not be historically accurate, this is a novel, after all. She's memorized the Dewey Decimal system. Meticulously researched, moving and utterly enchanting, The Paris Library is a heart-breaking and uplifting story that is an absolute must-read for book lovers and fans of historical fiction. I hope that you will download the book club reading guide. Her father refuses to help the Professor. "The Paris Library is a refreshing novel that celebrates libraries as cradles of community, especially when we need them the most. Heartbreaking and Uplifting: Read our review of The Paris Library by Its free and takes less than 10 seconds! The accompanying article discusses the looting of libraries by the Nazis across Europe during World War IIan experience Eva remembers welland the search to reunite people with the texts taken from them so long ago. Again, I thought it was fine overall but I kept wanting to go back to the WWII storyline. It is 1939, and Odile Souchet has just returned to Paris after completing library school. Chapter-by-chapter summaries and multiple sections of expert analysis, The ultimate resource for assignments, engaging lessons, and lively book discussions. Surely you know where this is going, by this point? Who was your favorite secondary character? His discontent was seen as he was required to direct traffic and when he was forced to clean up slurs painted on Nazi posters. Miss Reeder, an American, vows to stay in Paris to direct the Library but must leave when Americas entry into the war becomes imminent. This role is especially crucial in the difficult conditions of occupied Paris, where food is increasingly scarce, and the arrest of Jewish citizens and enemy aliens is a constant threat. The Book of Lost Names revolved around a female document forger. The answers unspool in this well-plotted and richly populated novel, primarily through Odiles and Lilys alternating, first-person narrations. How did you feel about a younger Lily contrasted with a more mature Odile? While additional detail would have made the horrors wreaked by the Nazis and Odiles dilemmas during this time more vivid, this is a novel after all, and more than earns its place in the pantheon of WWII fiction. LITERARY FICTION | [Paul is interesting. Few in Paris recognize the looming threat of war. Magazine Subscribers (How to Find Your Reader Number), Worth the Wait: New Fiction From 6 Favorites, Hang the Moon Will Be Adapted for TV Series. Hard Times. It follows Odile Souchet, who secures a position at the circulation desk of the American Library in Paris just as the war breaks out. 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. The Paris Library [Book Review] - Reading Ladies Chapter 1 Summary: "OdileParis, February 1939" Entranced by the Dewey Decimal System, Odile Souchet is both excited and nervous for her interview at the American Library in Paris. Strong and kind women, such as Professor Cohen of the Sorbonne and Library Directress Miss Reeder, are role models for Odile. The Synopsis 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 Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles. Book Summary. This thread is archived . All rights reserved. The Paris Hours (George) Summary Guide - LitLovers Copyright 2023 Barbara Delinsky. Why was it important for the librarians to continue to spread the love of reading during the war? WWII. Reeling from the loss of her mother and her father's remarriage, Lily finds herself adrift: overlooked at school, out of place at home. American Library in Paris director Dorothy Reeder in her office in 1937. And, of course, there was All the Light We Cannot See as well. Discuss the dual timeline. If you'd like me to review your book, contact me! In a Disney-ian twist, things work out in the end, but not before they change the course of the plot and the readers affinity for the characters. 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. One day in the City of Light. Now housed in Berlins Zentral- und Landesbibliothek library, it appears to contain some sort of code, but researchers dont know where it came fromor what the code means. 'The Paris Library': Reading, rebellion and romance meet in Janet Fans of Lester's own French novels will be delighted with this wartime story. She grows close to her neighbour Odile, discovering they share the same love of language, the same longings. British literature. Together with her fellow librarians . Categories: Nonfiction books describing Late Stage/End Stage capitalism. 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. Odile often reminisces about food from France or makes dishes for Lily. The Paris Library | Book by Janet Skeslien Charles | Official Publisher Later, Odile returns to her fathers office twice to steal some of these letters and spare a few people. Fallouts are heart-rending, and are written into the story with tenderness and affection. My verdict with The Paris Libraryits a decent story but I thought it was lacking in some areas. View my Affiliate Disclosure page here. I literally shook my head at it. There is a comforting element to the expectedness of the plot and odd familiarity of the characters, which is common with historical books. Oftentimes, its not surprisingfor instance, Kristin Hannahs The Four Winds is currently number one. Odile begins a romance with Paul and thinks she has it all. What other books about libraries have you read and loved? Eleven days later, she reappears, just as mysteriously as she disappeared, claiming amnesia and providing no explanations for her time away. Im always curious about what makes the New York Times bestsellers list. 841. Were you surprised to learn what Odile was doing the day that Lily barged in to ask about her report on France?