The Paris Library

A Novel

By: Janet Skeslien Charles

Narrated by: Nicky Diss, Sarah Feathers, Esther Wane, Janet Skeslien Charles

An instant New York Times, Washington Post, and USA TODAY bestseller—based on the true story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris during World War II—The Paris Library is a moving and unforgettable “ode to the importance of libraries, books, and the human connections we find within both” (Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author).

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, instead of freedom, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal.

Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. Her interest is piqued by her solitary, elderly neighbor. 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.

“A love letter to Paris, the power of books, and the beauty of intergenerational friendship” (Booklist), The Paris Library shows that extraordinary heroism can sometimes be found in the quietest places.

Critic reviews

"Three narrators present a little-known story about the American Library in Paris during the Nazi occupation. The two main characters are a precocious preteen named Lily, who lives in Montana in 1983, and a librarian named Odile, who lives in Paris in 1939. Narrator Nicky Diss presents a sunny, high-spirited Lily, who is passionate about books and in love with the Dewey Decimal System. Narrator Sarah Feathers offers an understated yet substantial portrait of Odile, who reveals how she and library staffers tried to save the ALP by defying the Nazis—and suffered the consequences. When the war bride and the teenager meet in Montana, their mutual love of books unites them. Narrator Esther Wane deftly handles the third-person chapters."

“In 1979 Montana, pre-teen Lily is curious about her neighbor, the mysterious Odile Gustofson. All Lily knows is that Odile lived in Paris during WWII and that she still speaks with a captivating French accent. In an attempt to get to know her, Lily decides to interview Odile for a school project that leads to French lessons and a life-saving friendship. In chapters alternating between 1939 Paris and 1970s Montana, Odile’s past is revealed. As a young woman, Odile worked as a librarian at the American Library in Paris. Her love of books and libraries shines through the dialogue read by Sarah Feathers in a charming French accent. Reader Nicky Diss picks up Lily’s narrative, giving her a youthful American sound that contrasts with Feathers’ tones. She handles the older Odile’s French words with ease. Esther Wane fills in assorted characters’ chapters, sounding appropriately English, and the author reads the historical notes at the end of the recording. This is a wonderful story of the occupation, friendships across the years, and the power of books, all beautifully read. Listeners with a fondness for libraries, French language, or fine historical fiction will be enchanted.” (Candace Smith)

Great story, distracting American accents

I really enjoyed this story. The characters were interesting and it showed a chapter of history I knew very little about.

Overall, the performance was good but the American accents of the actor who voiced Odile were off. Everyone sounded like they were from Noo Yawk, and people from rural Montana just don’t sound like that.

Interesting but mostly sad

Someone suggested this as “light reading”. Not! This is a gut wrenching story of people dealing with the brutal occupation of Paris during WW2. It’s the story of the courageous women who were dedicated to keeping the library open because they understood the importance of the books and the place. It is also the story of how betraying a friend can shape the rest of life and how forgiveness can be liberating. This is for the most part history, not fiction.

One of the best books I have read in 2022

4.5 stars
It is a bit difficult for me to rate The Paris Library. I have read All the Light We Cannot See and The Nightingale, and both were five-star books for me, without a doubt. I know you are not supposed to compare all WW2 novels, but it is hard for me not to do that here. The Paris Library was a great book. It far exceeded my expectations. It gave me characters that I actually cared about and helped me learn another aspect of the French Resistance that I did not know about. Had I not read those other two masterpieces that I had just mentioned, this would probably be my favorite WW2 novel.

Like many literary works today, The Paris Library takes place over two timelines with two different characters, and that ultimately leads to the novel's one flaw. While I was invested in the timeline involving the American Library in Paris and the German occupation of France, I was less invested in the young adult aspect of the novel, set in Montana in the 80's. I understand that, perhaps, the author is giving us a glimpse into her youth in those chapters, but the shift from an adult story to a young adult story did not completely work for me. I warmed to Lily's story eventually, and the last few chapters of her story hit deep, but it took a little time for me to care about her story, while I was instantly invested in the story of Odile and the cast of characters around her in Paris.
Will I be reading or listening another book by Janet Skeslien Charles? Yes, and now, please.

The reader did an excellent job with the accents and voices.

The story was interesting but the jumping back and forth in time wore out on me.

Wonderful Story

I really enjoyed this audible. Narration is top notch and the story kept me wanting to listen to more. I enjoy WW2 fiction and nonfiction. This is another story of the war I hadn’t heard of.