I completely agree! The Paris Library is a dual-timeline story of family, friendship, resistance, romance, betrayal, heroism, bravery, and books. Despite Odiles and Lilys many differences, their stories reveal unexpected similarities between the chic Parisienne bookworm and the conventional, small-town teenager. 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. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. What did you think of this decision by Odile to leave everything behind? Acting in anger, Paul beats Margaret and cuts off her hair, branding her as a harlot. Atria Books. Because of this, I cant quite give it 5 stars. FAMILY LIFE & FRIENDSHIP | Margaret, an English woman in a loveless marriage, finds a home at the Library and begins a friendship with Odile. 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. Copyright 2023 Kirkus Media LLC. Its a community of the intellectually curious as well as English speakers looking for a home in Paris. The novela New York Times, Washington Post, and USA Today bestselleris one of five finalists for the 2021 American Library in Paris Book Award. Historical fiction concerning the intricate battles over succession within the family that controls a poor rural county in postWorld War I Virginia. I think he snapped more out of guilt than anything else. I can see where the groundwork was laid for it but I still thought it was an odd story choice. Her story is juxtaposed with that of a teenager named Lily who, in 1983, lives in a small rural town in Montana. An awkward luncheon with a would-be suitor? When Paris is liberated, Paul and another police officer encounter Margaret on the street. In the event of a sale, I will be awarded a small commission (at no extra cost to you or the featured books author). While the chapters featuring Lily are snappy and often amusing, especially as she begins to adopt Parisian airs, they play a distinctly secondary role to those concerning Odile's life during the war. And, of course, there was All the Light We Cannot See as well. In what ways were they similar? While Odile develops a close friendship with Margaret, she also is envious of her lifestyle. The girls sounded bratty, the prose almost juvenile. Ask the Author. In 1939, Odile Souchet, the daughter of the captain of a police precinct, has just finished library school. Staunch prohibitionist Mary goes to war against the bootleggers using an enforcer who employs extreme violence. 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. But as Lily uncovers more about Odiles mysterious past, she discovers a dark secret, closely guarded and long hidden. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Bree is a friendly but standoffish bookstore owner who keeps everyone she knows at arms length, from guys she meets in bars to her friends. 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. You can order the book on Amazon here. 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. The story is told via two parallel narratives. Perhaps because of that, I avoid books about this time, though there have certainly been a plethora of them in recent years. Again, I thought it was fine overall but I kept wanting to go back to the WWII storyline. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. For The Paris Library, I provide your book club with a brief summary, food ideas, and discussion questions in that order!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'bookclubbites_com-box-3','ezslot_6',132,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bookclubbites_com-box-3-0'); If you are a fan of WWII fiction, then you know that in the last few years there has been a boom of great historical novels from the time period that feature unique aspects of the war. Lily has to deal not only with loss but with learning how she fits into a new family. Odile initially blames Bitsi, Rmys love and her friend, for his decision but later repairs the friendship. Fallouts are heart-rending, and are written into the story with tenderness and affection. 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. Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. 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. Then, what seems like a small conflict elsewhere, suddenly escalates into war. 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. And his French frienda walrus with a bushy mustache. Tough and independent, Sallie refuses to let womanhood limit her ambitions as she earns the nickname Queen of the Kincaid Rumrunners. Her conservative parents, especially her father, would rather Odile married than worked. Janet Skeslien Charles. Odile describes them to a dying American soldier she tends to: Theres an Englishman imagine a crane wearing a paisley bow tie. One follows Odile Souchet, a new librarian . Each day, they light a stinky cheroot and debate. Rivalry and secrets? HISTORICAL FICTION | Who was your favorite secondary character? So that was a bit of a disappointment to me. Paris. Janet Skeslien Charles is the award-winning author of Moonlight in Odessa and The Paris Library. I know the war changes people, but wasn't this a bit extreme? I get what the author was trying to convey but I didnt think it was executed in the best way. Its an interesting tactic to connect the past with more of the present. RELEASE DATE: May 31, 2022. Apartment building concierge. All Rights Reserved. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved 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. However, for The Paris Library, there was plenty of food mentioned, partly due to the fact that the story is dual-timeline. Fran Hawthorne is an award-winning novelist and nonfiction author. Just as Odile told Margarets secret so many years ago, Lily almost told Mary Louises boyfriend about an affair that Mary Louise had. Its free and takes less than 10 seconds! 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. Structurally, the novel sometimes sags: Charles tends to move into the points of view of secondary characters, which leads to some repetition. "The Paris Library" marks Janet Skeslien Charles's second novel of her writing career. 823. And when Margaret begins a relationship with a Nazi solider, shes horrified. Young Odile is independent and headstrong. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Janet Skeslien Charles is an award-winning author with over a decade's worth of roaming the streets of Paris and researching in its libraries. But I also saw The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles made it on there as well. Although Lily doesnt know it, Odile is about to kill herself when Lily knocks on her door the first time. 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. Agatha Christie novels have withstood the test of time, due in no small part to Christies masterful storytelling and clever mind that may never be matched, but Agatha Christies untold history offers perhaps her greatest mystery of all. 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. This post contains links to products that I may receive compensation from at no additional cost to you. All rights reserved. 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. How did you feel about a younger Lily contrasted with a more mature Odile? Carrying the guilt of betraying Margaret, Odile wears Margarets parting gift, the belt, until Lilys high school graduation. Hearing her detail what she loved most made me realize that I loved those things, too. Using her own life experiences, Odile guides Lily to accept her overprotective father and her stepmother, who is struggling with two baby boys. The puzzle of those missing eleven days has persisted. 2018 The Edge Communications Sdn. The synopsis talks about a betrayal in the past and Ill be honest, I thought that twist was strange. by I mentioned this in my review but I thought the story was fine overall. Here are some more recommendations along with links to book club questions. *If you are new here, WELCOME! One night in search of lost time. 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. Almost 40 years later, Lily befriends Odile, who lives alone and is isolated. Hugo's close lady friend. Curious about Odiles past, Lily looks through Odiles personal effects and, on finding a crow letter (which Odile stole), wrongly accuses her of being an informant. His discontent was seen as he was required to direct traffic and when he was forced to clean up slurs painted on Nazi posters. Odiles father, a police captain, must investigate the thousands of tips from informants. Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. GENERAL FICTION, by Reader Q&A, In December 1926, Agatha Christie goes missing. As Odile describes some of them to a dying American soldier whom shes tending: Theres an Englishmanimagine a crane wearing a paisley bow tie. Join the Bookclubs newsletter for monthly reading recommendations,book club tips, giveaways, and more. 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. 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. Both her husband and son have passed away and she doesnt seem to have any connections with her past. Fellow employees and clients of the private lending library are her closest confidantes, and 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. You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with LITERARY FICTION | Will Odile ever reconnect with Margaret again. What do you like best about reading WWII historical fiction? When Odile visits Margaret, shes horrified. 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. A rollicking soap opera that keeps the pages turning with a surfeit of births, deaths, and surprising plot reveals. Looming war with Germany? After living in Paris, how could she settle for this dull dot on the plains? wonders Lily Jacobsen, the seventh grader who lives next door. Very distracting. In many ways, this story really is a love letter to bookworms. Hugo's friend. Still, Odile harbors jealousy toward Margaret for her wealthand resents her criticisms of the French army. GENERAL FICTION, by A Season in Hell by Rimbaud. WWII during the German occupation and 1980s Montana are the setting for this intelligent and rich novel of two young womens coming of age. Book Summary. Based on the true World War II story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris Janet Skeslien Charles's The Paris Library is an unforgettable. 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. 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. Reeling from the loss of her mother and her father's remarriage, Lily finds herself adrift: overlooked at school, out of place at home. My verdict with The Paris Libraryits a decent story but I thought it was lacking in some areas. She freezes; its an image of a book she hasnt seen in sixty-five yearsa book she recognizes asThe Book of Lost Names. British literature. Rmy is wounded in the early fighting and then in a prisoner-of-war camp, where he later perishes. 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. The Paris Library is superbly researched and has a plot twist at the end that I didnt expect. Together with her fellow librarians, Odile joins the Resistance with the best weapons she has: books. Odile is initially angry but understands Margarets predicament. 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? A story of love, friendship, and betrayal, The Paris Library describes Odiles developing love for Paul, a police officer of low rank. Once Lily graduates from high school, Odile gives her a generous gift inspired by her own past. I hope that you will download the book club reading guide. Only Eva holds the answerbut will she have the strength to revisit old memories and help reunite those lost during the war? Duke Kincaid owns most of Claiborne County, both financially and politically. She lands her dream job assisting patrons of the American Library, which serves both foreigners and Parisians, and falls in love with one of the police officers her father brings home for dinner. Margaret is eventually attacked by Paul and when Odile learns the truthshe leaves behind Paris forever to marry an American. For Lilys high school graduation, Odile gives her a plane ticket to Paris. (An awkward luncheon with a would-be suitor? In defiance of this edict, the Library workers deliver books to the homes of Jewish subscribers. As Odiles family, home, and eventually coworkers are all affected by the Nazi occupation of France, she fights the war with the best weapons she hasbooks. How did this compare to other WWII novels you have read? 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. In any event, there is plenty to discuss about The Paris Library and who doesnt love a WWII novel? Her shorter work has appeared in revues such as Slice and Montana Noir. Jeannette Walls. There will be spoilers so for more context about the story, check out spoiler-free review first. The Paris Library is a historical fiction novel based on the true WWII story of the librarians at the American Library in Paris. Published in 2021, Janet Skeslien Charless The Paris Library: A Novel tells the story of the American Library in Paris during the Nazi occupation. 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. A novel tailor-made for those who cherish books and libraries. 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. Her friendship with Odile was a strong part but I wasnt so into the teenager angst. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. The witty and idealistic Odile is someone I imagine I would have been friends with. I think the Montana one could have been fleshed out a bit better. Nonfiction books describing Late Stage/End Stage capitalism. Miss Reeder, an American, vows to stay in Paris to direct the Library but must leave when Americas entry into the war becomes imminent. Book Club Questions for American Pop by Snowden Wright, Review: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. In 1939, Odile Souchet is thrilled to secure a job at the American Library in Paris. or ask your favorite author a question with These are good times before the war, but when the Nazis invade Paris, everything changes for Odile and her family at home and at the library. (See my struggle to find a recipe for The Nightingale here). The men are similarly flawed and human. Instead, Odile consents to an interview for Lilys project about France. The records they keep inThe Book of Lost Nameswill become even more vital when the resistance cell they work for is betrayed and Rmy disappears. This 1954 classic by a precocious 18-year-old takes us to the sun-drenched Riviera, where lazy and selfish 17-year-old Ccile is holidaying with her widowed father and his latest girlfriend. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Books, libraries, Paris whats not to love? Based on a true World War II story about the heroic librarians of the American Library in Paris. I think as the war ended, seeing all that Margaret had, food, money, clothing, He just snapped. His character traits changed so drastically from his introduction. A charming, ruthless autocrat, feared yet beloved, he has three acknowledged children by three different wives (not to mention unacknowledged offspring). Despite knowing about Lilys faults, Odile loves her unconditionally and accepts her. There are many wonderful things about this book, not the least being the settings, which are as well painted and written as the rest. The author demonstrates that a woman can be strong and independent while in a loving relationship. Both are too quick to blurt out criticisms, jeopardizing their closest friendships out of hurt and jealousy. One night in search of lost time. Lily is a lonely teenager desperate to escape small-town Montana. At the same time, I heard hushed, terror-filled stories from relatives were Jewish about the atrocities committed by the Nazis. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Disclaimer. Eleven days later, she reappears, just as mysteriously as she disappeared, claiming amnesia and providing no explanations for her time away. Why do you think this was? A thoroughly enjoyable read, kind-hearted and brimming with delightful bookish allusions." View my Affiliate Disclosure page here. This time, they did not. 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. It includes a letter from me, discussion questions, ideas for enhancing your book club, an author Q&A, delicious French recipes, and some of my favorite French songs. More importantly, Odile prevents Lily from ruining a good friendship with Mary Louise, a schoolmate, in a fit of jealousy. He felt guilty about what he'd done and took it out on Margaret. Additionally, Odile motivates Lily to stand up for herself and insist on achieving her goal to attend college. While her brother Rmy supports her, Odile's Papa is convinced that she needs to focus on marriage. Strong and kind women, such as Professor Cohen of the Sorbonne and Library Directress Miss Reeder, are role models for Odile. Is there anything new here? But the twist, agh, the twist was just so bizarre. [Paul is interesting. HISTORICAL FICTION | 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. First Edition. With a new job and a new love, Odiles future looks bright. Charming and Unforgettable: Read an Extract of The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles, 5 Quick Questions with Janet Skeslien Charles, Author of The Paris Library, Podcast: Janet Skeslien Charles on the Unusual Woman Who Sparked Her Love of France, Your email address will not be published. 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. The story is told via two parallel narratives. While a fundamentally decent person, Odile displays the human weaknesses of jealousy and anger. 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? His discontent was seen as he was required to direct traffic and when he was forced to clean up slurs painted on Nazi posters. When Charles worked there in 2010, she was captivated by the story of. It has been called a coming of age book, but in many regards, it is more. It has been called a coming of age book, but in many regards, it is more. 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. Discuss the dual timeline. 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. Site by AuthorBytes. All opinions are 100% mine and every book, unless otherwise noted, is handpicked by me to be featured on the site. Lily helps Odile overcome her guilt and regain a sense of belonging with others. With her trademark historical fiction exploration into the shadows of the past, acclaimed author Marie Benedict brings us into the world of Agatha Christie, imagining why such a brilliant woman would find herself at the center of such murky historical mysteries. Rogers fiance. I really enjoyed The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict and highly recommend you all read it! Hard Times. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. In THE PARIS LIBRARY, the beloved library, its staff, and its subscribers come to life and remind us of both the horrors of World War II and the vital role books play in keeping us afloat in difficult times. Did it feel like you were reading a YA novel and a historical novel? The readers added a drama that was, I thought, wrong. In fact, her way of coping with strong emotions is to immediately relate her feelings to a book and its Dewey Decimal number. Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. Lilys mother tells her People dont always know what to do or say. What did you think? Each day, they light a stinky cheroot and debate. 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. Author Mallery has created a delightful story of friendship between three women that also offers a variety of love stories as they fall in love, make mistakes, and figure out how to be the bestalbeit still flawedversions of themselves. What makes this book interesting plot-wise is that the storyline alternates between the early 1940s Paris and small-town 1980s Froid, Montana. Fellow employees and clients of the private lending library are her closest confidants. What role did her unfaithful husband play, and what was he not telling investigators? Lilys crush on a boy in her junior high school cant compete with the Gestapo arresting one of Odiles best friends. Librarian at the American Library. Oftentimes, its not surprisingfor instance, Kristin Hannahs The Four Winds is currently number one. 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 Paris Library is superbly researched and has a plot twist at the end that I didn't expect. She recovers from her fit of jealousy with Bitsi and repairs that relationship. 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. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. 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. 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. by The WWII parts are very strong and I was engaged with learning more about the American Library in Parissomething I didnt know anything about going into this story. In 1939, Odile's life is practically perfect. Still, the WWII parts were interesting and well written. 823. Based on the true World War. I think this story could have been first rate if we had just had ONE chronological timeline instead of the two. It shows how literature can be a means of escape, a catalyst for human connection, and a moral center in grim times. Chapter 3 - Paul comes to lunch - aperitif of sherry and vermouth, potato-leek soup, pork roast and rosemary . So here is another instance in which the narrators of an audiobook can affect the readers experience. It is 1939, and Odile Souchet has just returned to Paris after completing library school. When she decides to write a report on France, she visits the only French person she knowsher lonely neighbor, Odile. If you'd like me to review your book, contact me! by Janet Skeslien Charles RELEASE DATE: Feb. 2, 2021. The tough test of time involves readers. It shows how literature can be a means of escape, a catalyst for human connection, and a moral center in grim times. Margaret blames her for divulging the secret and never wants to see her again. Hardcover. Few in Paris recognize the looming threat of war. Book Club Questions for Undaunted by Kara Goldin, Book Club Questions for The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles. Loyalty and betrayal? The friendship between the two has grown so strong that Odile wants Margaret to be her matron of honor when she marries Paul, who has proposed to her. History buffs will enjoy the many hints Walls sprinkles to show that Tudor England is her novels template (the Dukes marriage to his brothers widow; his banished daughter, Mary, and short-lived heir, Edward; the Kincaids counselor Cecil, etc.).
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