The Paris Library: the bestselling novel of courage and betrayal in Occupied Paris
Feb 2021 · Hachette UK
4.8star
26 reviewsreport
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432
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HEROISM CAN BE FOUND IN THE QUIETEST PLACES - HOW LIBRARIANS DEFIED THE NAZIS
THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER AND RICHARD & JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK
'A wonderful novel celebrating the power of books and libraries to change people's lives' JILL MANSELL
'Heart-breaking and heart-lifting and always enchanting' RUTH HOGAN
'An irresistible and utterly compelling novel that will appeal to bibliophiles and historical fiction fans alike' SUNDAY EXPRESS
'I devoured The Paris Library in one hungry gulp . . . charming and moving' TATIANA DE ROSNAY
'An irresistible, compelling read' FIONA DAVIS
'Paris and libraries. What's not to love?!' NATASHA LESTER
'Compelling' WOMAN & HOME
'Delightful, richly detailed' PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY
PARIS, 1939
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. When war is declared, the Library is determined to remain open. But then the Nazis invade Paris, and everything changes.
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.
MONTANA, 1983
Lily is a lonely teenager desperate to escape small-town Montana. She grows close to her neighbour Odile, discovering they share the same love of language, the same longings. But as Lily uncovers more about Odile's mysterious past, she discovers a dark secret, closely guarded and long hidden.
Based on the true Second World War story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris, this is an unforgettable novel of romance, friendship, family, and of heroism found in the quietest of places.
THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER AND RICHARD & JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK
'A wonderful novel celebrating the power of books and libraries to change people's lives' JILL MANSELL
'Heart-breaking and heart-lifting and always enchanting' RUTH HOGAN
'An irresistible and utterly compelling novel that will appeal to bibliophiles and historical fiction fans alike' SUNDAY EXPRESS
'I devoured The Paris Library in one hungry gulp . . . charming and moving' TATIANA DE ROSNAY
'An irresistible, compelling read' FIONA DAVIS
'Paris and libraries. What's not to love?!' NATASHA LESTER
'Compelling' WOMAN & HOME
'Delightful, richly detailed' PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY
PARIS, 1939
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. When war is declared, the Library is determined to remain open. But then the Nazis invade Paris, and everything changes.
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.
MONTANA, 1983
Lily is a lonely teenager desperate to escape small-town Montana. She grows close to her neighbour Odile, discovering they share the same love of language, the same longings. But as Lily uncovers more about Odile's mysterious past, she discovers a dark secret, closely guarded and long hidden.
Based on the true Second World War story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris, this is an unforgettable novel of romance, friendship, family, and of heroism found in the quietest of places.
Ratings and reviews
4.8
26 reviews
Grace J. Reviewerlady
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February 9, 2021
What an interesting story - I feel I've learned so much about a subject I really knew nothing about. In Paris, 1939, Odile Souchet is a young woman absolutely obsessed with books. Her dreams come true when she secures a position in the American Library in Paris; when war is declared, the staff are determined to remain open and continue providing books to those who not only want them, but need them. Then the Nazis invade Paris, and life will never be the same again. In Montana, 1983, Lily is a young girl who reaches out to her neighbour, a woman who keeps very much to herself. As their friendship grows, Lily begins to learn more about Odile's earlier life in France, and the secrets she harbours. I have been completely engrossed in this novel to the detriment of everything around me - what an engrossing story! I knew nothing of the American Library in Paris before now and found the details of their work to be absolutely fascinating. Both Odile and Lily are flawed characters; their relationship is very touching but not perfect. This is a beautifully written and well-spun story but my hackles were up at the phrase 'England and France declared war on Germany'. As a Scot, this really rankles with me - it wasn't 'England', it was Britain or, as is now more common, the U.K. A small detail, but a very important one to the other three countries whose ancestors fought in all wars! Apart from that, this is an enjoyable and informative read and one I'm happy to give 4*.
1 person found this review helpful
Caroline Price
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March 25, 2021
I loved this book from start to finish, it is perfect for bibliophiles the world over. Janet Skeslien Charles has written a paeon of praise on books and the way that they can change your life. Although this is a novel, it is based on a true story, the librarians of the American Library in Paris really did fight a subversive battle against the Nazi invaders and their heroism is undisputed. This is such a wonderful book, it's well written, well researched and will undoubtedly be a bestseller. If you love books and love WWII historical fiction, you will love The Paris Library. Very, very highly recommended.
1 person found this review helpful
Paramita Mukherjee
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June 8, 2022
After finishing the book, you heart is filled with nothing else but warmth. A gem of a book for all book lovers.
About the author
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. Her debut novel, Moonlight in Odessa, was published in ten languages and was awarded the Melissa Nathan prize and the Completement Livre prize in Strasbourg.
Originally from Montana, as a child she lived on the same street as a French war bride and was fascinated by the war stories of her French professor. Janet began to research The Paris Library when she worked as Programs Manager at the American Library in Paris. Until recently she taught in Paris, where she still lives.
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