The Paris Library

The Paris Library

2021

Ratings16

Average rating4.1

15

The instant New York Times and #1 Globe and Mail bestseller based on the true story of the heroic librarians at The American Library in Paris during World War II. Paris, 1939. Young and ambitious Odile Souchet seems to have the perfect life with her handsome police officer beau and a dream job at The American Library in Paris. When the Nazis march into the city, 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, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal. Montana, 1983. Lily is a lonely teenager intrigued by the air of mystery about her elderly, solitary neighbor from Paris. As Lily uncovers hints about her past, she finds that they share a love of language and books, never suspecting that a dark secret connects the two. Based on the true story of The American Library in Paris, The Paris Library is a mesmerizing and captivating novel about the power of books and the bonds of friendship—and the ordinary heroes who can be found in the most perilous times and the quietest places.

Tags


Become a Librarian

Reviews

Popular Reviews

Reviews with the most likes.

May 10, 2021

Amazing to think this was based on a true story. The risks the librarians took to deliver books and keep the library open during the war! I read this in two parts. First of all I read the 1940s chapters through to the end and then went back and read Lily's story in the 1980s.

March 4, 2021
October 11, 2021