This was a most compelling read. It’s a book rich with the history and stories of true characters who lived and worked at the American Library in Paris during World War II. Most of them librarians and their lives as they spun out during that time, many of them very brave as they worked so hard to share books with their members. This novel connects Odile Souchet as her life plays out in Paris during this time, and her life after the war when she meets her neighbor a young girl (Lily) who has a love of language as she does, in Montana 1983. The book spends much time going back and forth from Paris 1939’s Odile and her story with Lily in Montana 1983. The book is rich with the history of the time, the war, the people and literature. It really does teach a lot about the consequences of our choices and how they effect ourselves and those around us. The novel has a lot to teach us, it’s one of those books you may want to go back and read again to make sure you didn’t miss anything!
I received this novel in the kindle format through NetGalley.com. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #TheParisLibrary #NetGalley
Description as found on NetGalley.com -
Based on the true World War II story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris, this is an unforgettable story of romance, friendship, family, and the power of literature to bring us together, perfect for fans of The Lilac Girls and The Paris Wife.
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. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Together with her fellow librarians, Odile joins the Resistance with the best weapons she has: books. But when the war finally ends, instead of freedom, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal.
Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. Her interest is piqued by her solitary, elderly neighbor. As Lily uncovers more about her neighbor’s mysterious past, she finds that they share a love of language, the same longings, and the same intense jealousy, never suspecting that a dark secret from the past connects them.
A powerful novel that explores the consequences of our choices and the relationships that make us who we are—family, friends, and favorite authors—The Paris Library shows that extraordinary heroism can sometimes be found in the quietest of places
