Thursday, February 11, 2021

The Paris Library - Janet Skeslien Charles

 The Paris Library - Janet Skeslien Charles

Based on the real American Library in Paris (ALP), this story alternates between German occupied Paris and 1980s Montana.  Odile, a true bibliophile, is thrilled to be offered a job at the ALP and we meet many colorful characters who both keep the library functioning and those who patronize it during World War II.  Fast forward to the 1980s, and we are introduced to Lily, a young girl who strikes up a friendship with the mysterious Frenchwoman, Odile, who lives next door.  The story then unfolds, alternating between the two timeframes. 


It seems I’ve been reading a lot of books about the women who lived through World War II  in Europe and they start to be redundant.  This was a refreshingly different take on that time period with the added benefit of seeing into the future.  


Yes, this is a story about the power of books to unite people, to heal, and to inspire, 

but it is also a tale of relationships, morality, human nature, triumph over adversity. 


Well written, engrossing…., I loved this book. 


*****

No comments:

Post a Comment