- The Paris Library

 

The Paris Library

By Janet Skeslien Charles

I am sorely thrilled for this book to be released today.⁣  

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The story is a dual timeline one is Odeli in 1939 to 1944 and the other one is Lily in 1983-1989.⁣

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It's 1939 in Paris and Odeli is excited about her new job at American Library in Paris, her passion for books and written words helps her to gain trust and credibility at work and this became her permanent job through the years Nazi Occupation in Paris. How Odeli and other staff at the library went above and beyond to some of their patrons and help deliver books to Jewish subscribers who were no longer allowed by Nazi’s to use the library.⁣

Linking the past to the present, we get to know Lily. Set in Froid Montana, Lily is a student who is interviewing her French neighbor Odile. And this charming story continues when these two strike up a friendship and Odeli helps Lily learn French and go through tough times in her life. She tries teaching to learn from her mistakes and Lily wants to know everything about Odeli’s past.⁣

Both timelines were masterfully interweaved with each other and were equally enjoyable. Odeli’s character is amiable, mature, and strong. ⁣

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I really enjoyed reading all the author's well-researched notes. It makes a great impression when a book's characters are real people and knowing that the storyline is based on a true story.it was exceedingly inspiring knowing that the author was a manager at the American Library in Paris herself. And the fact that she had a chance to talk to some of the characters' family members. Doing research on my own using the author's note I was fascinated by the accuracy of this novel reflecting the history.⁣

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All things considered, I very much enjoyed reading this novel and will recommend it to fans of historical fiction.

Many thanks to @atriaBooks {Partner} and Janet Skeslien Charles, for giving me a chance to read and review this amazing book.

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