There is a love story, a mystery, the pattern of history repeating. Book Reading, Writing, and Literature . Courtesy of Elizabeth Yoon. Soon thereafter, Lilys father remarries. Lilys mother tells her People dont always know what to do or say. However, he forbids Jewish subscribers from entry. This post contains links to products that I may receive compensation from at no additional cost to you. Margaret is arrested as an enemy alien, but a sympathetic German releases herand then becomes her lover. Young Odile is independent and headstrong. Odile begins a romance with Paul and thinks she has it all. 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. Through her, we see how the war affected citizens of Paris and those who stayed through the Nazi occupation of France.The Paris Library, (Also, can we just stop and appreciate how beautiful the cover of this book is?). The records they keep inThe Book of Lost Nameswill become even more vital when the resistance cell they work for is betrayed and Rmy disappears. Your email address will not be published. GENERAL FICTION, by Rivalry and secrets? Her shorter work has appeared in revues such as Slice and Montana Noir. In what ways were they similar? Its an interesting tactic to connect the past with more of the present. ", Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Names, "Intelligent and sensuously rich.A novel tailor-made for those who cherish books and libraries.". I was not familiar with this one prior to seeing it on the list and since Im a huge fan of historical fiction, I decided to check it out. I hope that you will download the book club reading guide. Paris between the wars teems with artists, writers, and musicians, a glittering crucible of genius. In the first, book-obsessed teenager Odile Souchet tackles her new job at the ALP amid a thriving community of students, writers and avid readers. There she meets an American soldier, agrees to marry him, and leaves Paris without ever seeing her family and friends again. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. She loves everything about books and libraries. Lily has to deal not only with loss but with learning how she fits into a new family. There is a comforting element to the expectedness of the plot and odd familiarity of the characters, which is common with historical books. Margaret is eventually attacked by Paul and when Odile learns the truthshe leaves behind Paris forever to marry an American. It is charming and moving, with a perfect balance between history and fiction., Tatiana de Rosnay, New York Times bestselling author of Sarah's Key, A fresh take on WWII France that will appeal to bibliophiles everywhere. 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 common theme, in both Paris and Montana, is jealousy and the horrible toll it can take. Janet Skeslien Charles 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. 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. FAMILY LIFE & FRIENDSHIP | 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. Enter your email to receive Bookclubs' newsletter with reading recommendations and the most popular book club books each month. 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. Stephanie I think you see a gradual change in Paul as the war dragged on. And there is no mention of him at all at the end of the book. influencers in the know since 1933. Once Lily graduates from high school, Odile gives her a generous gift inspired by her own past. But as Lily uncovers more about Odiles mysterious past, she discovers a dark secret, closely guarded and long hidden. Susan Mallery Listening to Odiles stories, Lily fantasizes about Jews hidden in the library building. by Family intrigue plays out against the backdrop of 1920s Claiborne County, where racism is a given, Prohibition is the law, and bootlegging is the main source of income for Blacks and Whites. In some ways, the story is your standard historical fiction story with the dual timelines (takes place both during the WWII era and also in the 80s in Montana). Professor Cohen, Margaret, Ms. Reeder, etc? Odile personally delivers books to Professor Cohen. Later, Odile returns to her fathers office twice to steal some of these letters and spare a few people. This article first appeared on July26, 2021 in The Edge Malaysia. Apartment building concierge. 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? 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. Rmy is wounded in the early fighting and then in a prisoner-of-war camp, where he later perishes. 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. Atria Books. He was so kind and intuitive with Odile and others. After all, she loves to read, speaks fluent English, and has memorized the Dewey Decimal system for cataloguing library books. Required fields are marked *. A Season in Hell by Rimbaud. More importantly, Odile prevents Lily from ruining a good friendship with Mary Louise, a schoolmate, in a fit of jealousy. There will be spoilers so for more context about the story, check out spoiler-free review first. Margaret, an English woman in a loveless marriage, finds a home at the Library and begins a friendship with Odile. I found the Montana parts just unnecessary! by I mentioned this in my review but I thought the story was fine overall. Again, I thought it was fine overall but I kept wanting to go back to the WWII storyline. As a Parisian, an ardent bookworm, and a longtime fan of the American Library in Paris, I devouredThe Paris Libraryin one hungry gulp. Have you read The Paris Library? The girls sounded bratty, the prose almost juvenile. When the Nazis march into the city, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. All opinions are 100% mine and every book, unless otherwise noted, is handpicked by me to be featured on the site. Loyalty and betrayal? Odile loves her job at the Library, where she finds belonging among kindred spirits. But then the Nazis invade Paris and everything changes. In December 1926, Agatha Christie goes missing. 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. 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. Who was your favorite secondary character? In 1939, Odile Souchet, the daughter of the captain of a police precinct, has just finished library school. 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. 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. Both are too quick to blurt out criticisms, jeopardizing their closest friendships out of hurt and jealousy. Show more Genres Historical FictionFictionHistoricalWorld War IIBooks About BooksAudiobook France What did you like more and what did you like less about this novel. While the story comes down clearly on the side of all-encompassing love, Mallery has struck a careful balance: There is just enough sex to be spicy, just enough swearing to be naughty, and just enough heartbreak to avoid being cloying. The twist actually took away from the story for me. by Janet Skeslien Charles RELEASE DATE: Feb. 2, 2021. The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles . It follows Odile Souchet, who secures a position at the circulation desk of the American Library in Paris just as the war breaks out. Do you think Margaret and Odile reconcile eventually? Both Odiles father and Paul are working under the Nazis direction. Check out my book club questions here. 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. Do you think it was harder for Odile to forgive herself than it was for Margaret to forgive her? Chapter 3 - Paul comes to lunch - aperitif of sherry and vermouth, potato-leek soup, pork roast and rosemary . But I also saw The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles made it on there as well. When Charles worked there in 2010, she was captivated by the story of. Television buffs will smile at the Kincaids resemblance to the Roys of Succession. But when did you start to suspect a darker side to Paul? Lily is a lonely teenager desperate to escape small-town Montana. There are public reading rooms, an innovation in French reference libraries, but French people have never developed the habit of using public libraries. Catching her the second time, Odiles father explains that he could be executed for failing to investigate tips and tells Odile not to return. 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. Miss Reeder, an American, vows to stay in Paris to direct the Library but must leave when Americas entry into the war becomes imminent. Copyright 2023 Barbara Delinsky. The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel is another engaging WWII historical fiction novel. After all, she loves to read, speaks fluent English, and has memorized the Dewey Decimal system for cataloguing library books. Her newest novel,I Meant to Tell You, was published in November 2022 by Stephen F. Austin State University Press. Its a community of the intellectually curious as well as English speakers looking for a home in Paris. 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. Just as Odile told Margarets secret so many years ago, Lily almost told Mary Louises boyfriend about an affair that Mary Louise had. Bottom line? A thoroughly enjoyable read, kind-hearted and brimming with delightful bookish allusions., Matthew Sullivan, author of Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore, "Having lived in an apartment just above the current location of the American Library in Paris, I've always felt connected to the institution and wondered about its story, so I'm grateful to Janet Skeslien Charles for penning such a vivid, enjoyable, based-on-a-true-story tale. Trouble signing in? So we know that by the time we meet Odile in Montana, shes all alone. LITERARY FICTION | 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. 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. Her debut novel. It has been called a coming of age book, but in many regards, it is more. 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. 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. Did you know about the American Library in Paris prior to reading this novel? When war breaks out, the Nazis are soon in Paris. In this one, the Montana storyline focuses more on the teenager Lily and I wasnt as engaged with her arc. 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. Duke Kincaid owns most of Claiborne County, both financially and politically. It seemed out of character to do what he did to Margaret. 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. An awkward luncheon with a would-be suitor? It has been called a coming of age book, but in many regards, it is more. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. I completely agree! The answers unspool in this well-plotted and richly populated novel, primarily through Odiles and Lilys alternating, first-person narrations. Her conservative parents, especially her father, would rather Odile married than worked. Tough and independent, Sallie refuses to let womanhood limit her ambitions as she earns the nickname Queen of the Kincaid Rumrunners. For Lilys high school graduation, Odile gives her a plane ticket to Paris. Welcome back. Book club questions for The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles examines both timelines in this historical fiction story. It shows how literature can be a means of escape, a catalyst for human connection, and a moral center in grim times. A charming, ruthless autocrat, feared yet beloved, he has three acknowledged children by three different wives (not to mention unacknowledged offspring). She recovers from her fit of jealousy with Bitsi and repairs that relationship. For example, The Nightingale dealt with female Resistance couriers and the French occupation. Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. Try not to hold that against them; you never know whats in their heart. Lily often thinks about this quote. This time, they did not. Although Odiles family and the library staff suffer from hunger and worry, they dont really undergo tremendous hardship. 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. As a result, Margarets husband leaves her and takes their daughter. Inevitably, Odiles story is more engrossing. Hard Times. Do you think that Odile knew that there would be consequences to telling Paul or not? Looming war with Germany? Instead, Odile consents to an interview for Lilys project about France. Halfway through the book, I would have rated it barely 3 stars. 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. But the rest is certainly worthy. There are many wonderful things about this book, not the least being the settings, which are as well painted and written as the rest. And the sound of masticating between sentences? 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. Still, Odile harbors jealousy toward Margaret for her wealthand resents her criticisms of the French army. One follows Odile Souchet, a new librarian . But the twist, agh, the twist was just so bizarre. Malaysian fantasy writer Zen Cho lands multiple awards by breaking frontiers, Poojitha Menons first solo sculptural exhibition Talking Heads chronicles her journey into clay, Sneakertopia at Singapores ArtScience Museum shows how street art drives interest in sneakers, Malachi Edwin Vethamani keeps poetry alive by giving voice to things others may not care about, HSBC Malaysias mosaic lions find new home at Tun Razak Exchange KL. HISTORICAL FICTION | Janet Skeslien Charles's latest novel, The Paris Library, introduces us to Frenchwoman Odile Souchet. 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. Lilys crush on a boy in her junior high school cant compete with the Gestapo arresting one of Odiles best friends. Structurally, the novel sometimes sags: Charles tends to move into the points of view of secondary characters, which leads to some repetition. Intellectually curious and socially awkward at times, Lily reminds Odile of her younger self. Let me know what you thought about it! Mikki is a settled-in-her-routines divorced mother of two, happily a mom, gift-shop owner, and co-parent with her ex-husband, Perry. And Ashley is a young, very-much-in-love bakery owner specializing in muffins who devotes herself to giving back to the community through a nonprofit that helps community members develop skills and find jobs. Why do you think Odile continued to wear the red belt 40 years later?
Fusion Gym Cancel Membership,
Oldest High Schools In Las Vegas,
Articles T