Even beyond the wartime drama, her ALP communitymany of them true historical figuresare a wonderfully colorful lot. 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. Is there anything new here? This thread is archived . 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? First Edition. This guide provides access to digital materials at the Library of Congress, links to external websites, and a print bibliography. There is a comforting element to the expectedness of the plot and odd familiarity of the characters, which is common with historical books. Both Odiles father and Paul are working under the Nazis direction. 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. 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. 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. Once We Were Home Book Club Questions and Recipe, It Starts with Us and It Ends with Us Book Club Questions and Recipe, 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, Chapter 3 Paul comes to lunch aperitif of sherry and vermouth, potato-leek soup, pork roast and rosemary mashed potatoes, and, Chapter 4 Odile makes Lilys family leek and potato soup when Lilys mother grows weaker (made with leeks sauted in butter and boiled potatoes that are pureed with a dollop of cream), Chapter 9 Odile, Paul, and Margaret go to lunch steak frites and tarte tatin with caramelized apples, Chapter 12 After the funeral Sliced roast, mashed potatoes and gravy and Odiles croque monsieur, Chapter 12 Lily and Robbys cupcake fiasco in home economics (mixed the salt and the sugar measurements), Chapter 21 Odile comes over for Eleanors bad Thanksgiving dinner turkey and pumpkin pie and later Odile comes for Christmas, too gingerbread cookies and hot cider, Chapter 27 The librarys Christmas party hot spiced wine, creamy Camembert, oranges, foie gras, Chapter 39 Eleanor takes Lily shopping for makeup in the city a lunch of a club sandwich and a French dip, Chapter 43 After the wedding Aunt Pierrette makes roasted pheasant, mashed potatoes and flan and then the library holds a surprise reception with wedding cake, chocolates, champagne and tea. 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. Lilys crush on a boy in her junior high school cant compete with the Gestapo arresting one of Odiles best friends. The book in the photograph, an eighteenth-century religious text thought to have been taken from France in the waning days of the war, is one of the most fascinating cases. His discontent was seen as he was required to direct traffic and when he was forced to clean up slurs painted on Nazi posters. An awkward luncheon with a would-be suitor? One day in the City of Light. He was so kind and intuitive with Odile and others. So here is another instance in which the narrators of an audiobook can affect the readers experience. There is a love story, a mystery, the pattern of history repeating. 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. RELEASE DATE: May 31, 2022. Her father refuses to help the Professor. Only Eva holds the answerbut will she have the strength to revisit old memories and help reunite those lost during the war? Professor Cohen, Margaret, Ms. Reeder, etc? There is an element of predictability in Janet Skeslien Charles The Paris Library from the get-go it doesnt take Sherlock Holmes to figure out what might happen at the end of the book, but I do not say this in a critical manner. Their friendship blossoms as they help each other, offering support, hard truths, and loving backup. Show more Genres Historical FictionFictionHistoricalWorld War IIBooks About BooksAudiobook France Were you surprised to learn what Odile was doing the day that Lily barged in to ask about her report on France? Profoundly influenced by her mothers disowning of beloved Aunt Carowho divorced for good reasonOdile is determined to not depend on men for financial security. Carrying the guilt of betraying Margaret, Odile wears Margarets parting gift, the belt, until Lilys high school graduation. And, of course, there was All the Light We Cannot See as well. "The Paris Library" marks Janet Skeslien Charles's second novel of her writing career. Looming war with Germany? WWII during the German occupation and 1980s Montana are the setting for this intelligent and rich novel of two young womens coming of age. 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. Rivalry and secrets? 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. Jealousy? 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. But when did you start to suspect a darker side to Paul? The witty and idealistic Odile is someone I imagine I would have been friends with. She learned about the history of the American Library in Paris while working there as the programs manager. After roaming the streets of Paris, Odile gravitates to the American Hospital, where she once volunteered and does so again. Review: The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles, Q&A with Kaira Rouda, Author of The Next Wife. Strong and kind women, such as Professor Cohen of the Sorbonne and Library Directress Miss Reeder, are role models for Odile. Rogers fiance. In 1939, idealistic, courageous, and ambitious Odile Souchet works at the American Library in Paris when the Nazis arrive. But amidst the dazzling creativity of the city's most famous citizens, four regular people are each searching for something they've lost. Hardcover. 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. However, for The Paris Library, there was plenty of food mentioned, partly due to the fact that the story is dual-timeline. The girls sounded bratty, the prose almost juvenile. 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. This post contains links to products that I may receive compensation from at no additional cost to you. The Paris Library. Did you know about the American Library in Paris prior to reading this novel? Todays topic: Prousts madeleine, should it have been a croissant?, A post shared by Atria Books (@atriabooks). I think you see a gradual change in Paul as the war dragged on. You can order the book on Amazon here. I was born at the very end of WW II and grew up reading Exodus and The Diary of Anne Frank. What do you make of her complicated friendship with Margaret? In a moment of anger, Odile reveals Margarets secret to Paul but immediately regrets doing so. 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. Both her husband and son have passed away and she doesnt seem to have any connections with her past. My verdict with The Paris Libraryits a decent story but I thought it was lacking in some areas. Based on historical events. Halfway through the book, I would have rated it barely 3 stars. Susan Mallery. Soon thereafter, Lilys father remarries. Jeannette Walls. Loyalty and betrayal? 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. Margaret is eventually attacked by Paul and when Odile learns the truthshe leaves behind Paris forever to marry an American. by Book Summary. Book Club Questions for American Pop by Snowden Wright, Review: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Again, I thought it was fine overall but I kept wanting to go back to the WWII storyline. Chapter 1 Summary: "OdileParis, February 1939" Entranced by the Dewey Decimal System, Odile Souchet is both excited and nervous for her interview at the American Library in Paris. The Paris setting was vividly imagined and beautifully wrought, especially the library, which is depicted as a warm, happy, safe and enlightened place. One night in search of lost time. Given her love of books and enchantment with the Dewey Decimal System, Odile seeks and secures a job at the American Library in Paris in the months before World War II. But when the war finally ends, instead of freedom, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal. If you'd like me to review your book, contact me! 841. He knew why those apartments were empty. Odile often reminisces about food from France or makes dishes for Lily. In December 1926, Agatha Christie goes missing. How did you feel about a younger Lily contrasted with a more mature Odile? How did this compare to other WWII novels you have read? Nazi book inspector Dr. Fuchs, initially feared, turns out to be sympathetic to the Library. It shows how literature can be a means of escape, a catalyst for human connection, and a moral center in grim times. 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. 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. *If you are new here, WELCOME! 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.). Its a community of the intellectually curious as well as English speakers looking for a home in Paris. And when Margaret begins a relationship with a Nazi solider, shes horrified. What is real, and what is mystery? 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. Lily is a lonely teenager desperate to escape small-town Montana. Who was your favorite secondary character? She even loves the way books smell. 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. When she decides to write a report on France, she visits the only French person she knowsher lonely neighbor, Odile. One character is a link in both, a French woman who emigrates at the wars end and spends the rest of her life in Montana. How Odile ends up in the US unfolds over the course of the book. Over the next five years, through the Nazi Occupation of France, the ALP founded in 1920, it still stands today also becomes the main source of Odiles small joys. Pre-publication book reviews and features keeping readers and industry Each day, they light a stinky cheroot and debate. 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. Few in Paris recognize the looming threat of war. Odiles husband and son are deceased. Required fields are marked *. The Paris Library is a historical fiction novel based on the true WWII story of the librarians at the American Library in Paris. ISBN-13: 9781250307187 Summary One day in the City of Light. Janet Skeslien Charles 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. In this one, the Montana storyline focuses more on the teenager Lily and I wasnt as engaged with her arc. 2023 Bookclubz, Inc. All rights reserved. The Book of Lost Names revolved around a female document forger. 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. While Odile develops a close friendship with Margaret, she also is envious of her lifestyle. The book also made it clear in the beginning, his disgust with women who snuggled up to Nazi's. Janet Skeslien Charles's latest novel, The Paris Library, introduces us to Frenchwoman Odile Souchet. Or someone from Lilys timelineEleanor, Lilys mother, Mary Louise? 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. Professor Cohen, who is Jewish, is another who sees war coming. 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. 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. 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. Sallie wants to support her sister but sympathizes with the bootleggersher neighbors and tenantsand recognizes that the family's finances depend on trading whiskey. It has been called a coming of age book, but in many regards, it is more. This article first appeared on July26, 2021 in The Edge Malaysia. Copyright 2023 Kirkus Media LLC. Movie star in the 40's. Bouquiniste - booksellers along the Seine River in Paris. 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. All rights reserved. I think he snapped more out of guilt than anything else. 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. Her interest is piqued by her solitary, elderly neighbor. 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. 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 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. 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. Lily has to deal not only with loss but with learning how she fits into a new family. It shows how literature can be a means of escape, a catalyst for human connection, and a moral center in grim times. GENERAL FICTION, by 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. Miss Reeder, an American, vows to stay in Paris to direct the Library but must leave when Americas entry into the war becomes imminent. I fell in love with Odile and Lily, with their struggles and triumphs, from the very first page. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Your email address will not be published. The tough test of time involves readers. 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. One follows Odile Souchet, a new librarian . And his French frienda walrus with a bushy mustache. 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! Each day, they light a stinky cheroot and debate. One night in search of lost time. In any event, there is plenty to discuss about The Paris Library and who doesnt love a WWII novel? Perhaps because of that, I avoid books about this time, though there have certainly been a plethora of them in recent years. 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. Almost 40 years later, Lily befriends Odile, who lives alone and is isolated. 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. The Paris Library is a dual-timeline story of family, friendship, resistance, romance, betrayal, heroism, bravery, and books. Welcome back. For example, The Nightingale dealt with female Resistance couriers and the French occupation. Finding refuge in a small mountain town in the Free Zone, she begins forging identity documents for Jewish children fleeing to neutral Switzerland. 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. Based on the true World War. 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 voices just werent right. And his French friend a walrus with a bushy moustache. I think as the war ended, seeing all that Margaret had, food, money, clothing, He just snapped. On September 3, 1783, the United States and Great Britain signed the Treaty of Paris, formally ending the Revolutionary War. Together, in ways they least expect it, Odile and Lily will help each other conquer old fears, forgive past sins, and embrace the future. The readers added a drama that was, I thought, wrong.
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