So we know that by the time we meet Odile in Montana, she’s all alone. In many ways, this story really is a love letter to bookworms. It was intriguing to read about a different type of heroism-keeping the love of reading alive among the hardships of war. The WWII parts are very strong and I was engaged with learning more about the American Library in Paris-something I didn’t know anything about going into this story. I think the Montana one could have been fleshed out a bit better. Again, I thought it was fine overall but I kept wanting to go back to the WWII storyline. Her friendship with Odile was a strong part but I wasn’t so into the teenager angst. In this one, the Montana storyline focuses more on the teenager Lily and I wasn’t as engaged with her arc. The historical fiction genre loves dual timelines! It’s an interesting tactic to connect the past with more of the present. 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.Ī powerful novel that explores the consequences of our choices and the relationships that make us who we are-family, friends, and favorite authors- The Paris Library shows that extraordinary heroism can sometimes be found in the quietest of places. Her interest is piqued by her solitary, elderly neighbor. Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. But when the war finally ends, instead of freedom, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal.

Together with her fellow librarians, Odile joins the Resistance with the best weapons she has: books. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. 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. I was more interested in the WWII era-I’ll get into that more below.

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). The Paris Library is a historical fiction novel based on the true WWII story of the librarians at the American Library in Paris.

The paris library janet charles