The Paris Library: A Novel
An instant New York Times, Washington Post, and USA TODAY bestseller—based on the true story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris during World War II—The Paris Library is a moving and unforgettable “ode to the importance of libraries, books, and the human connections we find within both” (Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author).
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Readers say *The Paris Library* is a deeply moving WWII historical novel praised for its rich research, vivid storytelling, and well-drawn characters ...
I really enjoyed this book, but it's always hard to read about World War 2.
I had no idea that there was an American library in Paris until this book. It has recently hit its 100th anniversary. It's amazing that these strong librarians did so much to protect the library and to provide books to its subscribers.
It's definitely worth reading, but I don't foresee myself reading it more than once.
I had no idea that there was an American library in Paris until this book. It has recently hit its 100th anniversary. It's amazing that these strong librarians did so much to protect the library and to provide books to its subscribers.
It's definitely worth reading, but I don't foresee myself reading it more than once.
Thank you to NetGalley and to Atria Books for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
One of my favorite book genres is that of historical fiction set within the WWII time frame and have read many, but The Paris Library instantly became one of my favorites instantly! The story centers around Paris a few months before the war finds itself at their doorsteps, and with a lady named Odile who has aspirations to work at the American Library. Soon she finds herself as a librarian at the periodicals desk that begins meeting new and interesting characters that fulfills her dream to assist people and be close to the books that she holds dear. The story travels to and from the days of WWII as the courageous librarians such as Odile assist as best they can to quell people’s anxieties about the war with books and magazines and find that their place with the war machine. It also is set within late 80’s Montana where a girl named Lily is interested in her French neighbor whom she befriends by learning French and of her story as she left France shortly after the war. Both neighbors find what’s most important within each other as the past and present, full of life lessons, merge the two into a tight friendship where they learn the good and bad of people around them. The author did an excellent job researching and using real life stories of characters shown in the book in such a way that the humanity of each character shown through wonderfully. I really look forward to reading her next novel!
One of my favorite book genres is that of historical fiction set within the WWII time frame and have read many, but The Paris Library instantly became one of my favorites instantly! The story centers around Paris a few months before the war finds itself at their doorsteps, and with a lady named Odile who has aspirations to work at the American Library. Soon she finds herself as a librarian at the periodicals desk that begins meeting new and interesting characters that fulfills her dream to assist people and be close to the books that she holds dear. The story travels to and from the days of WWII as the courageous librarians such as Odile assist as best they can to quell people’s anxieties about the war with books and magazines and find that their place with the war machine. It also is set within late 80’s Montana where a girl named Lily is interested in her French neighbor whom she befriends by learning French and of her story as she left France shortly after the war. Both neighbors find what’s most important within each other as the past and present, full of life lessons, merge the two into a tight friendship where they learn the good and bad of people around them. The author did an excellent job researching and using real life stories of characters shown in the book in such a way that the humanity of each character shown through wonderfully. I really look forward to reading her next novel!
This was an enjoyable read. The characters were written with care. The timeline of the book delved into the past in Paris during WWII and then in the 1980s in Montana. Odile was interesting character as was Lily, and how their lives intertwined.
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