Author
Janet Skeslien Charles
Back Cover
“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.
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.”
Our Thoughts
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres so I had a sneaking suspicion that I would enjoy this book! I really enjoyed the presentation of war time Paris through a dual storyline. It was such an interesting way to have the story unfold piece by piece. I quickly became attached to both protagonists Odile and Lily through their love of France, French language, books and of course a good American library. The book balances historical facts with very personal stories which makes for a people-centered reading experience while still learning more about the realities of wartime, occupied Paris. While there are so many historical fiction novels about WWII in France, this one really brought something extra. It focused on a story that I had never heard and made me reflect on what occupied France was like on a daily basis. I really enjoyed this read and loved all the nuances that clearly came from a lot of research and attention to detail (Dewey Decimal System cataloguing Odile’s feelings to books!!!)
Genre:
Historical Fiction
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