On September 3, 1783, the United States and Great Britain signed the Treaty of Paris, formally ending the Revolutionary War. 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. Book Reading, Writing, and Literature . What was the rippling impact of Remy joining the French Army? And when Margaret begins a relationship with a Nazi solider, shes horrified. While that might not be historically accurate, this is a novel, after all. A common theme, in both Paris and Montana, is jealousy and the horrible toll it can take. Discuss the dual timeline. A Season in Hell by Rimbaud. Welcome back. 2023 Bookclubz, Inc. All rights reserved. I was born at the very end of WW II and grew up reading Exodus and The Diary of Anne Frank. Enter your email to receive Bookclubs' newsletter with reading recommendations and the most popular book club books each month. Hardcover. Review: The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles, Q&A with Kaira Rouda, Author of The Next Wife. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. by Each day, they light a stinky cheroot and debate. Its a community of the intellectually curious as well as English speakers looking for a home in Paris. Site by AuthorBytes. My verdict with The Paris Libraryits a decent story but I thought it was lacking in some areas. Lilys crush on a boy in her junior high school cant compete with the Gestapo arresting one of Odiles best friends. The main character, Odile, narrates the time in Paris, while a secondary narratora young girl named Lily, who is coming of age in a small Montana town in the 1980sallows the author to revisit Odile later in life and emphasize the timelessness of friendship. 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. (See my struggle to find a recipe for The Nightingale here). In 1939, Odile Souchet, the daughter of the captain of a police precinct, has just finished library school. Based on historical events. All rights reserved. WWII during the German occupation and 1980s Montana are the setting for this intelligent and rich novel of two young womens coming of age. Paris between the wars teems with artists, writers, and musicians, a glittering crucible of . Her interest is piqued by her solitary, elderly neighbor. Check out my book club questions here. The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel is another engaging WWII historical fiction novel. The Paris Library: A Novel. Most often, they add. GENERAL FICTION, by Required fields are marked *. Copyright 2023 Barbara Delinsky. I hope that you will download the book club reading guide. The answers unspool in this well-plotted and richly populated novel, primarily through Odiles and Lilys alternating, first-person narrations. Among those who do is Rmy, whoto his familys horrorjoins the French army. 823. You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with How did this compare to other WWII novels you have read? While Odile develops a close friendship with Margaret, she also is envious of her lifestyle. Lilys mother tells her People dont always know what to do or say. Categories: Director, American Library. Only Eva holds the answerbut will she have the strength to revisit old memories and help reunite those lost during the war? Although pragmatic, street-smart middle child Sallie is his intellectual and emotional heir, the Duke leaves his estate to her emotionally oversensitive half brother, Eddie, because hes the only boy. Strong and kind women, such as Professor Cohen of the Sorbonne and Library Directress Miss Reeder, are role models for Odile. Even beyond the wartime drama, her ALP communitymany of them true historical figuresare a wonderfully colorful lot. Her World War I veteran husband and her daughter have no knowledge of her whereabouts, and England unleashes an unprecedented manhunt to find the up-and-coming mystery author. What are some similar books youve read? Chapter-by-chapter summaries and multiple sections of expert analysis, The ultimate resource for assignments, engaging lessons, and lively book discussions. When Charles worked there in 2010, she was captivated by the story of. Finding refuge in a small mountain town in the Free Zone, she begins forging identity documents for Jewish children fleeing to neutral Switzerland. Do you think that Odile knew that there would be consequences to telling Paul or not? HISTORICAL FICTION | Reeling from the loss of her mother and her father's remarriage, Lily finds herself adrift: overlooked at school, out of place at home. But then the Nazis invade Paris and everything changes. Still, though, I did enjoy learning about the real-life American Library in Paris and the push to keep reading alive during the horrors of war. Did this surprise you? I know historical fiction genre loves the dual timeline style but it really isn't always necessary. When the Nazis march into the city, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. In Occupied Paris, choices as black and white as the words on a page become a murky shade of grey choices that will put many on the wrong side of history, and the consequences of which will echo for decades to come. Rivalry and secrets? 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. If you'd like me to review your book, contact me! If you'd like me to review your book, contact me! When the Nazis march into the city, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. While her brother Rmy supports her, Odile's Papa is convinced that she needs to focus on marriage. Her shorter work has appeared in revues such as Slice and Montana Noir. Yup another historical fiction novel that I could not put down. What did you think of this decision by Odile to leave everything behind? 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. Paul and the other three policemen were collaborators themselves, having done the Nazis' dirty work, no matter how much they disliked it, and then having enjoyed the spoils of the belongings of the Jews they arrested. FAMILY LIFE & FRIENDSHIP | But when did you start to suspect a darker side to Paul? However, for The Paris Library, there was plenty of food mentioned, partly due to the fact that the story is dual-timeline. What is real, and what is mystery? British literature. In 1939, Odile Souchet is thrilled to secure a job at the American Library in Paris. Why was it important for the librarians to continue to spread the love of reading during the war? Inevitably, Odiles story is more engrossing. But then the Nazis invade Paris, and everything changes. 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. Books, libraries, Paris whats not to love? Odiles husband and son are deceased. Susan Mallery 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. 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. As I mentioned in the intro, recipes for books about World War II are often a challenge since most countries faced rations, if not starvation. By some bizarre twist of fate, a much older Odile winds up living next door to Lily, and the two form an unlikely but mutually beneficial friendship Lily gains much from Odiles well-stocked bookshelves while Odile finds renewed purpose in guiding the young girl. The two form a bond, which deepens when Lilys mother dies. Carrying the guilt of betraying Margaret, Odile wears Margarets parting gift, the belt, until Lilys high school graduation. In this one, the Montana storyline focuses more on the teenager Lily and I wasnt as engaged with her arc. For the young Parisian Odile Souchet in the winter of 1939, working in the American Library in Paris sounds like her ideal job. Both are too quick to blurt out criticisms, jeopardizing their closest friendships out of hurt and jealousy. The interview with Miss Reeder, the Directress, begins well, but Odile falters when asked her reasons for wanting to work at the Library. Historical fiction concerning the intricate battles over succession within the family that controls a poor rural county in postWorld War I Virginia. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. RELEASE DATE: March 28, 2023. You can order the book on Amazon here. Margaret, an English woman in a loveless marriage, finds a home at the Library and begins a friendship with Odile. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Your email address will not be published. Intellectually curious and socially awkward at times, Lily reminds Odile of her younger self. How did you feel about a younger Lily contrasted with a more mature Odile? One follows Odile Souchet, a new librarian . There she meets an American soldier, agrees to marry him, and leaves Paris without ever seeing her family and friends again. When war is declared, the Library is determined to remain open. What did you like more and what did you like less about this novel. Susan Mallery. Copyright 2023 Kirkus Media LLC. I found the Montana parts just unnecessary! One night in search of lost time. 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. Show more Genres Historical FictionFictionHistoricalWorld War IIBooks About BooksAudiobook France The twist actually took away from the story for me. Is there anything new here? The Book of Lost Names revolved around a female document forger. Angry, Odile briefly cuts Lily out of her life but eventually forgives her. 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. Tough and independent, Sallie refuses to let womanhood limit her ambitions as she earns the nickname Queen of the Kincaid Rumrunners. Unsurprisingly, Odiles life is much more interesting than Lilys. Loyalty and betrayal? Together with her fellow librarians, Odile joins the Resistance with the best weapons she has: books. Looming war with Germany? *If you are new here, WELCOME! 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. She recovers from her fit of jealousy with Bitsi and repairs that relationship. Trouble signing in? I also loved all of the mentions of Zora Neale Hurstons Their Eyes Were Watching God in the novel, a personal favorite of mine! Did it satisfy you or were you left wishing for more? Duke Kincaid owns most of Claiborne County, both financially and politically. As the older Odile and Lily become friends we learn more about Odiles regrets from wartime and the vibrant cast of readers and librarians she knew at the American Library in Paris. Located just two blocks from the Eiffel Tower, the private American Library in Paris has welcomed bibliophiles since 1920. Your email address will not be published. Still, Odile harbors jealousy toward Margaret for her wealthand resents her criticisms of the French army. This post contains links to products that I may receive compensation from at no additional cost to you. Listening to Odiles stories, Lily fantasizes about Jews hidden in the library building. Hard Times. Margaret is arrested as an enemy alien, but a sympathetic German releases herand then becomes her lover. Her interest is piqued by her solitary, elderly neighbor. [I think Paul is an interesting character and he illustrates some of the conflicted feelings Parisians felt about the Occupation. . Seventeen-year-old Sallie is devoted to Eddie, who's 13, but after he commits suicide she's torn by conflicting loyalties to her weak but lovable stepmother; her fathers scheming but able sister; and her older half sister, Mary, who's next in line to inherit the Kincaid empire but has not lived in Claiborne Country since her parents divorced. And, of course, there was All the Light We Cannot See as well. Based on the true World War II story of the librarians at the American Library in Paris, The Paris Library is an unforgettable story of romance, friendship, family, and the power of literature to bring us together. So we know that by the time we meet Odile in Montana, shes all alone. A powerful novel that explores the consequences of our choices and the relationships that make us who we arefamily, friends, and favorite authorsThe Paris Library shows that extraordinary heroism can sometimes be found in the quietest of places. I literally shook my head at it. Janet Skeslien Charles. 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. Ive always been a huge fan of historical stories told from alternate lenses in this case, that of a young girl wandering the streets of Paris and working in a library. Professor Cohen, who is Jewish, is another who sees war coming. Her newest novel,I Meant to Tell You, was published in November 2022 by Stephen F. Austin State University Press. A charming, ruthless autocrat, feared yet beloved, he has three acknowledged children by three different wives (not to mention unacknowledged offspring). 2018 The Edge Communications Sdn. 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. The American Library in Paris was able to stay open throughout the war. Categories: Hugo's close lady friend. If your book club is reading this one, check out my book club questions here. Did you know about the American Library in Paris prior to reading this novel? Rmy is wounded in the early fighting and then in a prisoner-of-war camp, where he later perishes. 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. But when the war finally ends, instead of freedom, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal. Looming war with Germany? Charles emphasizes the significance of this resistance by highlighting the role that books play in transporting people from their own situations and engaging their empathy and minds. There are public reading rooms, an innovation in French reference libraries, but French people have never developed the habit of using public libraries. Jealousy? View my Affiliate Disclosure page here. He knew why those apartments were empty. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. What did you think? The Paris Library combines a love of literature with an inspirational tale of ordinary people standing up to fight injustice. Told over the course of a single day in 1927, The Paris Hours takes four ordinary people whose stories, told together, are as extraordinary as the glorious city they inhabit. The author has actually worked there in recent years and learned first-hand about the efforts of librarians and volunteers not only to keep it open during the German occupation of Paris, but to smuggle books to Jews and to allied forces on the front. A thoroughly enjoyable read, kind-hearted and brimming with delightful bookish allusions." And his French frienda walrus with a bushy mustache. 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). Did you ever have someone outside of your family who helped guide you through a difficult time and learn to appreciate your family, despite their flaws? Jeannette Walls There will be spoilers so for more context about the story, check out spoiler-free review first. The authors affection for both Paris and the ALP, where she worked as a programme manager in 2010, comes through beautifully as she integrates the stories of many of the real-life employees and patrons of the library into the story with finesse. One night in search of lost time. Her father refuses to help the Professor. The novela New York Times, Washington Post, and USA Today bestselleris one of five finalists for the 2021 American Library in Paris Book Award. Janet Skeslien Charles is the award-winning author of Moonlight in Odessa and The Paris Library. The puzzle of those missing eleven days has persisted. Her debut novel. 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. Here are a few food ideas from the pages of The Paris Library: If you are reading this during the fall or winter, I think it would be lovely to try and make the leek and potato soup that is mentioned more than once. Published in 2021, Janet Skeslien Charless The Paris Library: A Novel tells the story of the American Library in Paris during the Nazi occupation. It follows Odile Souchet, who secures a position at the circulation desk of the American Library in Paris just as the war breaks out. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. All Rights Reserved. It has been called a coming of age book, but in many regards, it is more. Odile begins a romance with Paul and thinks she has it all. 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. He was doing the Nazi's dirty work. When war breaks out, the Nazis are soon in Paris. I do recommend The Paris Library, but the print version, please. American Library in Paris director Dorothy Reeder in her office in 1937. 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. In her second novel, The Paris Library, Janet Skeslien Charles ( Moonlight in Odessa) weaves Odile's story together with that of 14-year-old Lily Jacobsen, growing up in Montana in the mid-1980s. How does this go back to the quote from Lilys mother (question #2)? 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. She feels a frisson of pride at violating Nazi edicts, as she packs books to send to British and Jewish colleagues who are banned from the library building. Hard Times. What do you make of her complicated friendship with Margaret? I thought this one was decent overall but I had some issues with it. Rogers fiance. Despite knowing about Lilys faults, Odile loves her unconditionally and accepts her. What role did her unfaithful husband play, and what was he not telling investigators? I get what the author was trying to convey but I didnt think it was executed in the best way. Here are a few food ideas from the pages of The Paris Library: Chapter 2 - Lily invites Odile over to learn more about France - chocolate chip cookies - and later, when Lily visits Odile serves her Russian cigarette cookies. However, her twin brother, Rmy, with whom shes close, and Paul, her new suitor, are supportive. As a graduate student in 1942, Eva was forced to flee Paris after the arrest of her father, a Polish Jew. He knew arresting those people was wrong. In 1983, Lily is an awkward teenager trying to find her place in small-town Montana. Why do you think its hard for us not to hold what people do or dont say against them and instead see them with compassion in light of our own fallibility? But amidst the dazzling creativity of the city's most famous citizens, four regular people are each searching for something they've lost. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. The readers added a drama that was, I thought, wrong. And, because Odile isnt Jewish and has some connected friends, she sometimes partakes in black market dishes even during the war. 841. She grows close to her neighbour Odile, discovering they share the same love of language, the same longings. British literature.). Catching her the second time, Odiles father explains that he could be executed for failing to investigate tips and tells Odile not to return. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Categories: There she meets a young woman who is the same age she was during the war and who badly needs a life coach. Although Lily doesnt know it, Odile is about to kill herself when Lily knocks on her door the first time.
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