The American Library of Paris is under attack also. As hard as things are for Odile and her family, they are so much better off than most of the people in the area.

Odile's brother has joined the war, despite being so very unsuited for physical activity, while Odile's police officer boyfriend gripes about having to do chores for the Nazis. Odile's father is a police chief and when the Nazis arrive in Paris, he is tasked with following through on all the letters identifying the persecuted people of the time. The story starts in 1939 Paris, as we follow twenty year old librarian Odile Souchet. This was such an enjoyable story and led me to research more about the American Library in Paris. The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles 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. Based on the true World War II story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris, this is an unforgettable story of romance, friendship, family, and the power of literature to bring us together, perfect for fans of The Lilac Girls and The Paris Wife.

The paris library a novel