While the characters deal with their fair share of conflict, the violence and mentions of hunger are kept to a minimum given the subject. A novel tailor-made for those who cherish books and libraries. Were you surprised to learn what Odile was doing the day that Lily barged in to ask about her report on France? 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. 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. Charles herself actually lived in Paris for over a decade and even worked at The American Library in Paris, which is certainly evident when you follow her detailed descriptions of this building and the different kinds of people who occupied it. Mikki is a settled-in-her-routines divorced mother of two, happily a mom, gift-shop owner, and co-parent with her ex-husband, Perry. Check out my book club questions here. Even beyond the wartime drama, her ALP communitymany of them true historical figuresare a wonderfully colorful lot. In February of 1939, Odile interviews for her dream job at the American Library. She even loves the way books smell. Do you think it was harder for Odile to forgive herself than it was for Margaret to forgive her? 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. 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. I mentioned this in my review but I thought the story was fine overall. It has been called a coming of age book, but in many regards, it is more. What is real, and what is mystery? Looming war with Germany? 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 readers added a drama that was, I thought, wrong. Giving her a belt, Margaret tells Odile to remember the meaning of friendship when she wears it. 823. When Odile visits Margaret, shes horrified. When war is declared, the Library is determined to remain open. How did this compare to other WWII novels you have read? 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. All Rights Reserved. 841. 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. Janet Skeslien Charles's The Paris Library: the untold story of heroic Her shorter work has appeared in revues such as Slice and Montana Noir. I found the Montana parts just unnecessary! 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. There she meets a young woman who is the same age she was during the war and who badly needs a life coach. Bhd. RELEASE DATE: Feb. 2, 2021. Lets talk about the friendship between Odile and Lilywhat did they both learn from each other? Honestly, at times I wondered if Id stumbled onto a YA novel. Her interest is piqued by her solitary, elderly neighbor. 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. But when the war finally ends, instead of freedom, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal. The Paris Library Summary & Study Guide - www.BookRags.com Courtesy of Elizabeth Yoon. But then the Nazis invade Paris, and everything changes. One night in search of lost time. The answers unspool in this well-plotted and richly populated novel, primarily through Odiles and Lilys alternating, first-person narrations. In December 1926, Agatha Christie goes missing. The synopsis talks about a betrayal in the past and Ill be honest, I thought that twist was strange. Very distracting. Margaret is arrested as an enemy alien, but a sympathetic German releases herand then becomes her lover. 2023 Bookclubz, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. How do you think Odile helps her cope with that? Increasingly angry at his subordinate role to the Nazis and his humiliating tasks, Paul has outbursts of anger directed mainly at French women consorting with German soldiers. A thoroughly enjoyable read, kind-hearted and brimming with delightful bookish allusions., Matthew Sullivan, author of Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore, "Having lived in an apartment just above the current location of the American Library in Paris, I've always felt connected to the institution and wondered about its story, so I'm grateful to Janet Skeslien Charles for penning such a vivid, enjoyable, based-on-a-true-story tale. In many ways, this story really is a love letter to bookworms. Tough and independent, Sallie refuses to let womanhood limit her ambitions as she earns the nickname Queen of the Kincaid Rumrunners. The Paris Library - #bookthoughts - Armed with A Book Book Reading, Writing, and Literature . The Paris Library is another novel about WWII France from a unique perspective. For more on this award-winning author, visit https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Janet-Skeslien-Charles/164282829. Odile initially blames Bitsi, Rmys love and her friend, for his decision but later repairs the friendship. Instead, Odile consents to an interview for Lilys project about France. I think you see a gradual change in Paul as the war dragged on. 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. Show more Genres Historical FictionFictionHistoricalWorld War IIBooks About BooksAudiobook France HISTORICAL FICTION | In fact, her way of coping with strong emotions is to immediately relate her feelings to a book and its Dewey Decimal number. That said, I had a major problem with the audio version. Rogers fiance. 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. A thoroughly enjoyable read, kind-hearted and brimming with delightful bookish allusions." Hard Times. FAMILY LIFE & FRIENDSHIP | He felt guilty about what he'd done and took it out on Margaret. What do you make of her complicated friendship with Margaret? 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. You can order the book on Amazon here. Janet Skeslien Charles. The Paris Library Summary and Study Guide | SuperSummary This time, they did not. Odile often reminisces about food from France or makes dishes for Lily. 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. The Truth Behind the Inspiring WWII Novel, THE PARIS LIBRARY Discuss the dual timeline. 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. And his French frienda walrus with a bushy mustache. As Lily learns more about Odile and they begin to share a love of language and books, she faces her own trials, but Odile is careful to guide Lily away from the same mistakes that have haunted her since the war. 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. Welcome back. This anger alarms Odile though her love for him is undaunted. When she decides to write a report on France, she visits the only French person she knowsher lonely neighbor, Odile. Loyalty and betrayal? 5 Quick Questions with Janet Skeslien Charles, Author of The Paris Library In defiance of this edict, the Library workers deliver books to the homes of Jewish subscribers. Were glad you found a book that interests you! 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. It was intriguing to read about a different type of heroismkeeping the love of reading alive among the hardships of war. In any event, there is plenty to discuss about The Paris Library and who doesnt love a WWII novel? 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. On September 3, 1783, the United States and Great Britain signed the Treaty of Paris, formally ending the Revolutionary War. Movie star in the 40's. Bouquiniste - booksellers along the Seine River in Paris. Hearing her detail what she loved most made me realize that I loved those things, too. He knew arresting those people was wrong. Copyright 2023 Barbara Delinsky. 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. The Paris Library | Bookreporter.com Despite knowing about Lilys faults, Odile loves her unconditionally and accepts her. The Paris Library | Shelf Awareness WWII. Her newest novel,I Meant to Tell You, was published in November 2022 by Stephen F. Austin State University Press. "The Paris Library is a refreshing novel that celebrates libraries as cradles of community, especially when we need them the most. Pre-publication book reviews and features keeping readers and industry Enter your email to receive Bookclubs' newsletter with reading recommendations and the most popular book club books each month. 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. 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. His character traits changed so drastically from his introduction. Sallie wants to support her sister but sympathizes with the bootleggersher neighbors and tenantsand recognizes that the family's finances depend on trading whiskey. Many historical fiction stories adopt the dual timeline formatwhy do you think thats a popular choice for the genre? Author Janet Skeslien Charles Shares the Story Behind The Paris Library Let me know what you thought about it! Inevitably, Odiles story is more engrossing. 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. The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel is another engaging WWII historical fiction novel. I do think there are stronger WWII historical fiction out there. "well plotted and richly populated" For the young Parisian Odile Souchet in the winter of 1939, working in the American Library in Paris sounds like her ideal job. Both Odiles father and Paul are working under the Nazis direction. I get what the author was trying to convey but I didnt think it was executed in the best way. The interview with Miss Reeder, the Directress, begins well, but Odile falters when asked her reasons for wanting to work at the 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. The Paris Library. I know the war changes people, but wasn't this a bit extreme? Susan Mallery.
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