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. Jealousy? The Paris Library [Book Review] - Reading Ladies This guide provides access to digital materials at the Library of Congress, links to external websites, and a print bibliography. Even beyond the wartime drama, her ALP communitymany of them true historical figuresare a wonderfully colorful lot. Janet Skeslien Charles talks about her novel "The Paris Library" with 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. Required fields are marked *. And when Margaret begins a relationship with a Nazi solider, shes horrified. 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. "The Paris Library is a refreshing novel that celebrates libraries as cradles of community, especially when we need them the most. It follows Odile Souchet, who secures a position at the circulation desk of the American Library in Paris just as the war breaks out. Were you surprised to learn what Odile was doing the day that Lily barged in to ask about her report on France? 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! Stephanie I think you see a gradual change in Paul as the war dragged on. I can see where the groundwork was laid for it but I still thought it was an odd story choice. What is real, and what is mystery? Jeannette Walls. British literature.). Trouble signing in? (An awkward luncheon with a would-be suitor? Her friendship with Lily does open the door to her past and causes her to reflect and maybe see past events in a different light. 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. Following Odile in her new job at the American Library in Paris, the novel offers a unique and refreshing take on the events of WWII, as seen through the lens of the library, its staff and subscribers. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Categories: While a fundamentally decent person, Odile displays the human weaknesses of jealousy and anger. Janet Skeslien Charles's latest novel, The Paris Library, introduces us to Frenchwoman Odile Souchet. 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. A common theme, in both Paris and Montana, is jealousy and the horrible toll it can take. 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. 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. 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. So does defining family. She loves everything about books and libraries. Lily has to deal not only with loss but with learning how she fits into a new family. In what ways were they similar? He was doing the Nazi's dirty work. 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. I completely agree! As a result, Margarets husband leaves her and takes their daughter. 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. His character traits changed so drastically from his introduction. Do you think Margaret and Odile reconcile eventually? Based on historical events. There is a love story, a mystery, the pattern of history repeating. Each day, they light a stinky cheroot and debate. In 1939, idealistic, courageous, and ambitious Odile Souchet works at the American Library in Paris when the Nazis arrive. What makes this book interesting plot-wise is that the storyline alternates between the early 1940s Paris and small-town 1980s Froid, Montana. What are some similar books youve read? Theyre all here, and theyre universal, nest-ce pas? My verdict with The Paris Libraryits a decent story but I thought it was lacking in some areas. I hope that these elements will enrich your conversation and increase your enjoyment of The Paris Library. Odile often reminisces about food from France or makes dishes for Lily. 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. Fellow employees and clients of the private lending library are her closest confidants. While the characters deal with their fair share of conflict, the violence and mentions of hunger are kept to a minimum given the subject. And there is no mention of him at all at the end of the book. Did you know those things happened after WWII? Did it satisfy you or were you left wishing for more? 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. And the sound of masticating between sentences?