More importantly, Odile prevents Lily from ruining a good friendship with Mary Louise, a schoolmate, in a fit of jealousy. First Edition. The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles : r/booksuggestions - Reddit Hearing her detail what she loved most made me realize that I loved those things, too. Still, Odile harbors jealousy toward Margaret for her wealthand resents her criticisms of the French army. 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. Odile describes them to a dying American soldier she tends to: Theres an Englishman imagine a crane wearing a paisley bow tie. Professor Cohen, Margaret, Ms. Reeder, etc? Have you read The Paris Library? ISBN-13: 9781250307187 Summary One day in the City of Light. Why do you think Odile continued to wear the red belt 40 years later? His character traits changed so drastically from his introduction. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Bhd. Odile loves her job at the Library, where she finds belonging among kindred spirits. Odile is initially angry but understands Margarets predicament. How do you think Odile helps her cope with that? Jeannette Walls In fact, her way of coping with strong emotions is to immediately relate her feelings to a book and its Dewey Decimal number. Honestly, at times I wondered if Id stumbled onto a YA novel. Still, though, I did enjoy learning about the real-life American Library in Paris and the push to keep reading alive during the horrors of war. 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. Charming and Unforgettable: Read an Extract of The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles, 5 Quick Questions with Janet Skeslien Charles, Author of The Paris Library, Podcast: Janet Skeslien Charles on the Unusual Woman Who Sparked Her Love of France, Your email address will not be published. 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. Most often, they add. The Paris Hours (George) Summary Guide - LitLovers In what ways were they similar? I know the war changes people, but wasn't this a bit extreme? The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles Publication Date: March 1, 2022 Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction Paperback: 384 pages Publisher: Atria Books ISBN-10: 1982134208 ISBN-13: 9781982134204 April Book Review: 'The Paris Library' - KPCW And, of course, there was All the Light We Cannot See as well. 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. Angry, Odile briefly cuts Lily out of her life but eventually forgives her. Finding refuge in a small mountain town in the Free Zone, she begins forging identity documents for Jewish children fleeing to neutral Switzerland. 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. The author demonstrates that a woman can be strong and independent while in a loving relationship. With his help, Margaret procures food and other items, which she shares with Odile. Did this surprise you? 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. Rivalry and secrets? In 1939, idealistic, courageous, and ambitious Odile Souchet works at the American Library in Paris when the Nazis arrive. Books connect a middle-aged ex-librarian and a schoolgirl, both of whomlong for similar things (Photo: Atria Books). 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. There she meets a young woman who is the same age she was during the war and who badly needs a life coach. The Paris Library [Book Review] - Reading Ladies HISTORICAL FICTION | 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. 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. Fran Hawthorne is an award-winning novelist and nonfiction author. Welcome back. The WWII parts are very strong and I was engaged with learning more about the American Library in Parissomething I didnt know anything about going into this story. I really enjoyed The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict and highly recommend you all read it! But when did you start to suspect a darker side to Paul? He was so kind and intuitive with Odile and others. Hard Times. There are many wonderful things about this book, not the least being the settings, which are as well painted and written as the rest. As Lily uncovers more about her neighbors 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. The two form a bond, which deepens when Lilys mother dies. The Paris Library is superbly researched and has a plot twist at the end that I didnt expect. Author Janet Skeslien Charles Shares the Story Behind The Paris Library In a moment of anger, Odile reveals Margarets secret to Paul but immediately regrets doing so. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. So here is another instance in which the narrators of an audiobook can affect the readers experience. At the same time, I heard hushed, terror-filled stories from relatives were Jewish about the atrocities committed by the Nazis. 841. It is 1939, and Odile Souchet has just returned to Paris after completing library school. When the Nazis march into the city, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. The Paris Library Summary & Study Guide - www.BookRags.com What role did her unfaithful husband play, and what was he not telling investigators? While the characters deal with their fair share of conflict, the violence and mentions of hunger are kept to a minimum given the subject. Nazi book inspector Dr. Fuchs, initially feared, turns out to be sympathetic to the Library. When Paris is liberated, Paul and another police officer encounter Margaret on the street. Did it satisfy you or were you left wishing for more? Check out my book club questions here. My verdict with The Paris Libraryits a decent story but I thought it was lacking in some areas. Despite the fact that Nazis often destroyed art and literature, they seemed to recognize that learning and reading were still important enough to keep the library open. Nonfiction books describing Late Stage/End Stage capitalism. The Paris Librarian Character List - BookCompanion Together with her fellow librarians, Odile joins the Resistance with the best weapons she has: books. Her father refuses to help the Professor. It seemed out of character to do what he did to Margaret. For dessert you could serve Professor Cohens Russian cigarettes! 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. He knew arresting those people was wrong. But I also saw The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles made it on there as well. Sallie wants to support her sister but sympathizes with the bootleggersher neighbors and tenantsand recognizes that the family's finances depend on trading whiskey. Margaret blames her for divulging the secret and never wants to see her again. Bottom line? Book Club Questions for The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles The twist actually took away from the story for me. So does defining family. But then the Nazis invade Paris and everything changes. 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. Yup another historical fiction novel that I could not put down. 5 Quick Questions with Janet Skeslien Charles, Author of The Paris Library RELEASE DATE: Feb. 2, 2021. What other books about libraries have you read and loved? A thoroughly enjoyable read, kind-hearted and brimming with delightful bookish allusions." How did this compare to other WWII novels you have read? One night in search of lost time. Based on the true Second World War story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris who risked their lives during the Nazis 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. It follows Odile Souchet, who secures a position at the circulation desk of the American Library in Paris just as the war breaks out. Catching her the second time, Odiles father explains that he could be executed for failing to investigate tips and tells Odile not to return. Book Reading, Writing, and Literature . 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! Book Club Questions for American Pop by Snowden Wright, Review: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. Odile begins a romance with Paul and thinks she has it all. Required fields are marked *. Later, Odile returns to her fathers office twice to steal some of these letters and spare a few people. 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. Tough and independent, Sallie refuses to let womanhood limit her ambitions as she earns the nickname Queen of the Kincaid Rumrunners. Were you more engaged in one storyline over the other? 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. GENERAL FICTION, by 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. 199301012242 (266980-X). Did you know about the American Library in Paris prior to reading this novel? "The Paris Library is a refreshing novel that celebrates libraries as cradles of community, especially when we need them the most. "well plotted and richly populated" For the young Parisian Odile Souchet in the winter of 1939, working in the American Library in Paris sounds like her ideal job. As a Parisian, an ardent bookworm, and a longtime fan of the American Library in Paris, I devouredThe Paris Libraryin one hungry gulp. Odile initially blames Bitsi, Rmys love and her friend, for his decision but later repairs the friendship. In defiance of this edict, the Library workers deliver books to the homes of Jewish subscribers. The book also made it clear in the beginning, his disgust with women who snuggled up to Nazis. 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. Few in Paris recognize the looming threat of war. RELEASE DATE: May 31, 2022. I completely agree! Rogers fiance. Because of this, I cant quite give it 5 stars. Janet Skeslien Charles. Thats not to say that schoolgirl crushes and adjusting to the woman her father marries after her mother dies arent valid storylines, but can they really hold a candle to the Gestapo arresting one of Odiles best friends? I was born at the very end of WW II and grew up reading Exodus and The Diary of Anne Frank. For the young Parisian Odile Souchet in the winter of 1939, working in the American Library in Paris sounds like her ideal job. Required fields are marked *. Janet Skeslien Charles is the award-winning author of Moonlight in Odessa and The Paris Library. The novela New York Times, Washington Post, and USA Today bestselleris one of five finalists for the 2021 American Library in Paris Book Award. 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. Were you surprised to learn what Odile was doing the day that Lily barged in to ask about her report on France? 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. Check out my book club questions here. 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. Step into The Paris Library through the pages of this novel Among those who do is Rmy, whoto his familys horrorjoins the French army. 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. For Lilys high school graduation, Odile gives her a plane ticket to Paris. Show more Genres Historical FictionFictionHistoricalWorld War IIBooks About BooksAudiobook France Margaret eventually tells Odile the secret of her German lover. Courtesy of Elizabeth Yoon. 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. GENERAL FICTION, by Book club questions for The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles examines both timelines in this historical fiction story. However, for The Paris Library, there was plenty of food mentioned, partly due to the fact that the story is dual-timeline. Copyright 2023 Kirkus Media LLC. Discussion questions for The Paris Library: A Novel - BOOKCLUBS.COM In December 1926, Agatha Christie goes missing. As Odile describes some of them to a dying American soldier whom shes tending: Theres an Englishmanimagine a crane wearing a paisley bow tie. A Season in Hell by Rimbaud. Book Review: Reading is a rebellious act in Janet Skeslien Charles's Reader Q&A, One day in the City of Light. 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 war is declared, the Library is determined to remain open. But as Lily uncovers more about Odiles mysterious past, she discovers a dark secret, closely guarded and long hidden. 'The Paris Library': On books and those who defended them GENERAL FICTION, by By some bizarre twist of fate, a much older Odile winds up living next door to Lily, and the two form an unlikely but mutually beneficial friendship Lily gains much from Odiles well-stocked bookshelves while Odile finds renewed purpose in guiding the young girl. Margaret is eventually attacked by Paul and when Odile learns the truthshe leaves behind Paris forever to marry an American. Rmy is wounded in the early fighting and then in a prisoner-of-war camp, where he later perishes. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Your email address will not be published. How would this have changed your reading? 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. Your email address will not be published. Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles. "The Paris Library" marks Janet Skeslien Charles's second novel of her writing career. While her brother Rmy supports her, Odile's Papa is convinced that she needs to focus on marriage. The Paris Library Summary and Study Guide | SuperSummary Book Summary. Hugo's close lady friend. The Paris Library - Barbara Delinsky For more on this award-winning author, visit https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Janet-Skeslien-Charles/164282829. What do you make of her complicated friendship with Margaret? In 1939, Odile's life is practically perfect. 'The Paris Library': Reading, rebellion and romance meet in Janet Book Club Questions for Undaunted by Kara Goldin, Book Club Questions for The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles. Each day, they light a stinky cheroot and debate. All opinions are 100% mine and every book, unless otherwise noted, is handpicked by me to be featured on the site. 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. The book also made it clear in the beginning, his disgust with women who snuggled up to Nazi's. This work of historical fiction, based on a true story, highlights courage, the importance of keeping intellectual curiosity alive, and the meaning and value of friendship. In many ways, this story really is a love letter to bookworms. Its free and takes less than 10 seconds! What is real, and what is mystery? A rollicking soap opera that keeps the pages turning with a surfeit of births, deaths, and surprising plot reveals. This post contains links to products that I may receive compensation from at no additional cost to you. The Paris Library is a dual-timeline story of family, friendship, resistance, romance, betrayal, heroism, bravery, and books. Charles once worked at the American Library in Paris as a programs manager and now divides her time between Paris and Montana. Together with her fellow librarians . Halfway through the book, I would have rated it barely 3 stars. (See my struggle to find a recipe for The Nightingale here). Todays topic: Prousts madeleine, should it have been a croissant?, A post shared by Atria Books (@atriabooks). But amidst the dazzling creativity of the city's most famous citizens, four regular people are each searching for something they've lost. I mentioned this in my review but I thought the story was fine overall. Together, in ways they least expect it, Odile and Lily will help each other conquer old fears, forgive past sins, and embrace the future. But then the Nazis invade Paris, and everything changes. Her debut novel. 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? 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. Seventeen-year-old Sallie is devoted to Eddie, who's 13, but after he commits suicide she's torn by conflicting loyalties to her weak but lovable stepmother; her fathers scheming but able sister; and her older half sister, Mary, who's next in line to inherit the Kincaid empire but has not lived in Claiborne Country since her parents divorced. Do you think that Odile knew that there would be consequences to telling Paul or not? Jealousy? Hardcover. His discontent was seen as he was required to direct traffic and when he was forced to clean up slurs painted on Nazi posters. Odiles husband and son are deceased. Fallouts are heart-rending, and are written into the story with tenderness and affection. After a scold at the Library informs on Professor Cohen, its Paul who arrests her. If your book club is reading this one, check out my book club questions here. Lets talk about the friendship between Odile and Lilywhat did they both learn from each other?
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