I love to read and review various genres with a focus on contemporary fiction, historical fiction with some mysteries/thrillers and also select nonfiction and memoirs. In her second novel, The Paris Library, Janet Skeslien Charles ( Moonlight in Odessa) weaves Odile's story together with that of 14-year-old Lily Jacobsen, growing up in Montana in the mid-1980s. Book Clubs Janet Skeslien Charles The American Library in Paris was able to stay open throughout the war. Author Janet Skeslien Charles Shares the Story Behind The Paris Library 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. This article first appeared on July26, 2021 in The Edge Malaysia. Strong and kind women, such as Professor Cohen of the Sorbonne and Library Directress Miss Reeder, are role models for Odile. 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. Options is the award-winning lifestyle pullout of The Edge Malaysia, the countrys premier business and investment weekly publication. In the event of a sale, I will be awarded a small commission (at no extra cost to you or the featured books author). Each day, they light a stinky cheroot and debate. (See my struggle to find a recipe for The Nightingale here). Curious about Odiles past, Lily looks through Odiles personal effects and, on finding a crow letter (which Odile stole), wrongly accuses her of being an informant. Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles. How did this compare to other WWII novels you have read? Do you think Margaret and Odile reconcile eventually? Paris between the wars teems with artists, writers, and musicians, a glittering crucible of . The puzzle of those missing eleven days has persisted. As the war proceeds and the Nazis take over the city, she fears for her twin brother, who has been captured by the Germans, places herself in danger by transporting books to Jewish patrons who are forbidden to visit the library, and begins to question some of her boyfriend's actions. Giving her a belt, Margaret tells Odile to remember the meaning of friendship when she wears it. The girls sounded bratty, the prose almost juvenile. So we know that by the time we meet Odile in Montana, shes all alone. When she decides to write a report on France, she visits the only French person she knowsher lonely neighbor, Odile. Did you know about the American Library in Paris prior to reading this novel? 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. As Odiles family, home, and eventually coworkers are all affected by the Nazi occupation of France, she fights the war with the best weapons she hasbooks. The Book of Lost Names revolved around a female document forger. Required fields are marked *. But then the Nazis invade Paris, and everything changes. Chapter 3 - Paul comes to lunch - aperitif of sherry and vermouth, potato-leek soup, pork roast and rosemary . The Paris Library | Book by Janet Skeslien Charles | Official Publisher He was doing the Nazi's dirty work. 199301012242 (266980-X). Who was your favorite secondary character? The Paris Library - #bookthoughts - Armed with A Book I also loved all of the mentions of Zora Neale Hurstons Their Eyes Were Watching God in the novel, a personal favorite of mine! 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. But then the Nazis invade Paris and everything changes. Yup another historical fiction novel that I could not put down. The Paris Library. While her brother Rmy supports her, Odile's Papa is convinced that she needs to focus on marriage. Staunch prohibitionist Mary goes to war against the bootleggers using an enforcer who employs extreme violence. WWII during the German occupation and 1980s Montana are the setting for this intelligent and rich novel of two young womens coming of age. Movie star in the 40's. Bouquiniste - booksellers along the Seine River in Paris. A Season in Hell by Rimbaud. Catching her the second time, Odiles father explains that he could be executed for failing to investigate tips and tells Odile not to return. Her interest is piqued by her solitary, elderly neighbor. Charles once worked at the American Library in Paris as a programs manager and now divides her time between Paris and Montana. When the Nazis march into the city, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. 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. While the novel is filled with gorgeous settings and a delightful cast of characters some of whom actually existed in real life what I loved the most about The Paris Library is the way it celebrates the power of books, libraries and storytelling. He felt guilty about what he'd done and took it out on Margaret. Each day, they light a stinky cheroot and debate. 823. There she meets an American soldier, agrees to marry him, and leaves Paris without ever seeing her family and friends again. Tough and independent, Sallie refuses to let womanhood limit her ambitions as she earns the nickname Queen of the Kincaid Rumrunners. Intellectually curious and socially awkward at times, Lily reminds Odile of her younger self. Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. On September 3, 1783, the United States and Great Britain signed the Treaty of Paris, formally ending the Revolutionary War. 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. Together with her fellow librarians . She grows close to her neighbour Odile, discovering they share the same love of language, the same longings. Did you ever have someone outside of your family who helped guide you through a difficult time and learn to appreciate your family, despite their flaws? Check out my book club questions here. Required fields are marked *. Your email address will not be published. Reeling from the loss of her mother and her father's remarriage, Lily finds herself adrift: overlooked at school, out of place at home. I found the Montana parts just unnecessary! 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. [Paul is interesting. 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. Hardcover. Jeannette Walls In 1939, Odile Souchet, the daughter of the captain of a police precinct, has just finished library school. While a fundamentally decent person, Odile displays the human weaknesses of jealousy and anger. Janet Skeslien Charles 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. The men are similarly flawed and human. Instead, Odile consents to an interview for Lilys project about France. British literature. My sister, who is an avid reader, read the print version at the same time that I listened to the audiobook, and she loved it. Her friendship with Lily does open the door to her past and causes her to reflect and maybe see past events in a different light. A common theme, in both Paris and Montana, is jealousy and the horrible toll it can take. I'm wondering about what happened to the The Paris Q&A At the same time, I heard hushed, terror-filled stories from relatives were Jewish about the atrocities committed by the Nazis. [I think Paul is an interesting character and he illustrates some of the conflicted feelings Parisians felt about the Occupation. RELEASE DATE: May 31, 2022. Despite Odiles and Lilys many differences, their stories reveal unexpected similarities between the chic Parisienne bookworm and the conventional, small-town teenager. The Paris Library | ReadingGroupGuides.com Book Club Questions for American Pop by Snowden Wright, Review: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. In any event, there is plenty to discuss about The Paris Library and who doesnt love a WWII novel? Her newest novel,I Meant to Tell You, was published in November 2022 by Stephen F. Austin State University Press. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. For the young Parisian Odile Souchet in the winter of 1939, working in the American Library in Paris sounds like her ideal job. When the Nazis march into the city, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. The voices just werent right. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Inevitably, Odiles story is more engrossing. His character traits changed so drastically from his introduction. The author demonstrates that a woman can be strong and independent while in a loving relationship. 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. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Your email address will not be published. Historical fiction concerning the intricate battles over succession within the family that controls a poor rural county in postWorld War I Virginia. 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. Looming war with Germany? 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. Here are a few food ideas from the pages of The Paris Library: 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. Profoundly influenced by her mothers disowning of beloved Aunt Carowho divorced for good reasonOdile is determined to not depend on men for financial security. I really enjoyed The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict and highly recommend you all read it! What did you think of this decision by Odile to leave everything behind? When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. The twist actually took away from the story for me. Hugo's friend. I know historical fiction genre loves the dual timeline style but it really isn't always necessary. This 1954 classic by a precocious 18-year-old takes us to the sun-drenched Riviera, where lazy and selfish 17-year-old Ccile is holidaying with her widowed father and his latest girlfriend. Schwab, Q&A with Hannah Richell, Author of The River Home, Book Club Questions for The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle, Book Club Questions for The Girl With the Louding Voice by Abi Dar, 10 Book Club Books to Read in Summer 2023, Book Club Questions for Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano, Review: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano, Book Club Questions for The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes, Book Club Questions for Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, (Updated April 2023) Reeses Book Club Picks: Entire List, Book Club Questions for Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, Book Club Questions for Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan. Young Odile is independent and headstrong. I do think there are stronger WWII historical fiction out there. I know the war changes people, but wasn't this a bit extreme? Her interest is piqued by her solitary, elderly neighbor. Odiles husband and son are deceased. The Paris Library | Bookreporter.com Television buffs will smile at the Kincaids resemblance to the Roys of Succession. 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. Based on the true World War II story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris Janet Skeslien Charles's The Paris Library is an unforgettable. Based upon her own experiences working at the American Library in Paris and growing up in rural Montana, Charles tells the story of "The Paris Library" with two distinct threads. I love to read and review various genres with a focus on contemporary fiction, historical fiction with some mysteries/thrillers and also select nonfiction and memoirs. A novel tailor-made for those who cherish books and libraries. Paris, 1939: Young and ambitious Odile Souchet seems to have the perfect life with her handsome police officer beau and a dream job at the American Library in Paris.
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