(See my struggle to find a recipe for The Nightingale here). Movie star in the 40's. Bouquiniste - booksellers along the Seine River in Paris. When the Nazis march into the city, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. But when did you start to suspect a darker side to Paul? How would this have changed your reading? Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. In the event of a sale, I will be awarded a small commission (at no extra cost to you or the featured books author). Paris between the wars teems with artists, writers, and musicians, a glittering crucible of genius. RELEASE DATE: Feb. 2, 2021. Do you think it was harder for Odile to forgive herself than it was for Margaret to forgive her? But then the Nazis invade Paris, and everything changes. The witty and idealistic Odile is someone I imagine I would have been friends with. Fran Hawthorne is an award-winning novelist and nonfiction author. Even though this was clearly historical fiction based on real events, were you surprised to learn in the afterward that many of the characters were based on real people? Review: The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles, Q&A with Kaira Rouda, Author of The Next Wife. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Your email address will not be published. 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. How did this compare to other WWII novels you have read? But as Lily uncovers more about Odiles mysterious past, she discovers a dark secret, closely guarded and long hidden. Its a community of the intellectually curious as well as English speakers looking for a home in Paris. The Paris Hours by Alex George: Summary and reviews - BookBrowse.com She divides her time between Montana and Paris. As a result, Margarets husband leaves her and takes their daughter. Despite knowing about Lilys faults, Odile loves her unconditionally and accepts her. Reader Q&A, 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. 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. 'The Paris Library': On books and those who defended them Later, Odile returns to her fathers office twice to steal some of these letters and spare a few people. . Here are some more recommendations along with links to book club questions. Her debut novel. Together with her fellow librarians . Sallie wants to support her sister but sympathizes with the bootleggersher neighbors and tenantsand recognizes that the family's finances depend on trading whiskey. The historical fiction genre loves dual timelines! I think this story could have been first rate if we had just had ONE chronological timeline instead of the two. I do recommend The Paris Library, but the print version, please. When war breaks out, the Nazis are soon in Paris. In 1939, idealistic, courageous, and ambitious Odile Souchet works at the American Library in Paris when the Nazis arrive. A charming, ruthless autocrat, feared yet beloved, he has three acknowledged children by three different wives (not to mention unacknowledged offspring). THE PARIS LIBRARY | Kirkus Reviews New Paris Library: Visionary or Outdated? - The New York Times The Paris Library. Janet Skeslien Charles's latest novel, The Paris Library, introduces us to Frenchwoman Odile Souchet. I literally shook my head at it. When Lily's mother becomes ill, Lily grows close to her previously frosty next-door neighbor Odile, who moved to Montana as a bride immediately after the war ended. Do you think Margaret and Odile reconcile eventually? 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. Did it satisfy you or were you left wishing for more? In some ways, the story is your standard historical fiction story with the dual timelines (takes place both during the WWII era and also in the 80s in Montana). 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. The Paris setting was vividly imagined and beautifully wrought, especially the library, which is depicted as a warm, happy, safe and enlightened place. How does this go back to the quote from Lilys mother (question #2)? The Truth Behind the Inspiring WWII Novel, 'The Paris Library' WWII. It follows Odile Souchet, who secures a position at the circulation desk of the American Library in Paris just as the war breaks out. Join the Bookclubs newsletter for monthly reading recommendations,book club tips, giveaways, and more. FAMILY LIFE & FRIENDSHIP | 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. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. But the twist, agh, the twist was just so bizarre. What was the rippling impact of Remy joining the French Army? 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. Still, the WWII parts were interesting and well written. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Paris Library Chapters 1-13 Summary & Analysis What do you like best about reading WWII historical fiction? Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. In the first, book-obsessed teenager Odile Souchet tackles her new job at the ALP amid a thriving community of students, writers and avid readers. While her brother Rmy supports her, Odile's Papa is convinced that she needs to focus on marriage. 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. So here is another instance in which the narrators of an audiobook can affect the readers experience. Books, libraries, Paris whats not to love? Over the next five years, through the harsh Nazi Occupation of France, the ALPwhich is an actual institution, founded in 1920-- also becomes the main source of Odiles small joys. Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles. Chapter 3 - Paul comes to lunch - aperitif of sherry and vermouth, potato-leek soup, pork roast and rosemary . Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Disclaimer. Book Clubs Janet Skeslien Charles Janet Skeslien Charles was inspired to write her novel after working at the American Library in Paris and learning about the bravery of the librarians who w. 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. The Paris Library is another novel about WWII France from a unique perspective. 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. If you love reading about WWII or the time period, but have trouble getting through some of the violence and starvation that was rampant during the war, then I think you will like The Paris Library. As different as Odile and Lily are, the two are drawn to each other by their similarities outside of a love for books and reading, their heads are full of dreams and they possess a quick wit and instinctive understanding of their surroundings, but they also tend to jeopardise friendships because of their inability to hold their tongues. 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. 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. Atria Books. Todays topic: Prousts madeleine, should it have been a croissant?. [I think Paul is an interesting character and he illustrates some of the conflicted feelings Parisians felt about the Occupation. After all, she loves to read, speaks fluent English, and has memorized the Dewey Decimal system for cataloguing library books. 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. This anger alarms Odile though her love for him is undaunted. But when the war finally ends, instead of freedom, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal. A rollicking soap opera that keeps the pages turning with a surfeit of births, deaths, and surprising plot reveals. Let me know what you thought about 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. How did you feel about a younger Lily contrasted with a more mature Odile? Her newest novel,I Meant to Tell You, was published in November 2022 by Stephen F. Austin State University Press. Apartment building concierge. This time, they did not. It is 1939, and Odile Souchet has just returned to Paris after completing library school. Book Reading, Writing, and Literature . 823. 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. Rmy is wounded in the early fighting and then in a prisoner-of-war camp, where he later perishes. This article first appeared on July26, 2021 in The Edge Malaysia. *If you are new here, WELCOME! Have you read The Paris Library? The Paris Librarian Character List - BookCompanion After roaming the streets of Paris, Odile gravitates to the American Hospital, where she once volunteered and does so again. For more on this award-winning author, visit https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Janet-Skeslien-Charles/164282829. 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. 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. Theyre all here, and theyre universal, nest-ce pas? 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. When the Nazis march into the city, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Categories: Why do you think Odile continued to wear the red belt 40 years later? The Paris Library is a historical fiction novel based on the true WWII story of the librarians at the American Library in Paris. Why was it important for the librarians to continue to spread the love of reading during the war? 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. But amidst the dazzling creativity of the city's most famous citizens, four regular people are each searching for something they've lost. In 1939, Odile's life is practically perfect. His discontent was seen as he was required to direct traffic and when he was forced to clean up slurs painted on Nazi posters. GENERAL FICTION, by Once Lily graduates from high school, Odile gives her a generous gift inspired by her own past. 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Reeling from the loss of her mother and her father's remarriage, Lily finds herself adrift: overlooked at school, out of place at home. 5 Quick Questions with Janet Skeslien Charles, Author of The Paris Library 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. 841. Discuss the dual timeline. You can read order the book on Amazon here. 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. Book Review: Reading is a rebellious act in Janet Skeslien Charles's When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Lilys mother tells her People dont always know what to do or say. The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles | Book Club Discussion More importantly, Odile prevents Lily from ruining a good friendship with Mary Louise, a schoolmate, in a fit of jealousy. It has been called a coming of age book, but in many regards, it is more. Were glad you found a book that interests you! After a scold at the Library informs on Professor Cohen, its Paul who arrests her. The Paris Library book review | eat. live. travel. write. The Paris Library - Barbara Delinsky In 1939, Odile Souchet, the daughter of the captain of a police precinct, has just finished library school. Bottom line? 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. He felt guilty about what he'd done and took it out on Margaret. The totality of the ALPs anti-Nazi efforts seems to involve delivering books. Odile is initially angry but understands Margarets predicament. British literature.). Miss Reeder, an American, vows to stay in Paris to direct the Library but must leave when Americas entry into the war becomes imminent. 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. 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. 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. I think he anger was always visible, I agree with you that Paul was missing from the wrap up of the book but also Odiles parents. When she decides to write a report on France, she visits the only French person she knowsher lonely neighbor, Odile. 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. 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?
