The Paris Library

My granddaughter has been known to comment - Once a librarian always a librarian. This probably explains why I am drawn to reading about libraries and about books. I also enjoy novels based on historical events so The Paris Library by American author Janet Skeslien Charles was almost guaranteed to be a book that I would enjoy.

There are two story threads and time periods woven throughout the novel - the story of twenty year old Odile Souchet, her family, colleagues and friends in occupied Paris plus the relationship between a much older Odile in 1983 now living in Froid, a small town in Montana. Lily, a teenage girl living next door to Odile in Froid, escapes from family pressures when she is befriended by Odile who teaches her French and helps Lily deal with life's challenges. Gradually we learn of the events that led to Odile settling in America and, with Lily, discover secrets long hidden.

The America Library in Paris was established in 1920 so it celebrated its centenary last year. The novel is largely based on actual events. Miss Reeder was director of the library when the Germans occupied part of Paris and when she returned to the USA the Countess de Chambrun took charge. One of the librarians, Boris Netchaeff, was shot by the Gestapo and many of the incidents described were based on actual events. This novel therefore portrays a slice of history during the Second World War.

This novel is also a story about friendship, trust, jealousy, misunderstandings, courage and love. It is the story of facing challenges that a person should not have to face but finding ways to survive in dangerous situations. Throughout the War the library remained open continuing to provide books for library members as well as for soldiers serving their country. I thoroughly enjoyed this book about the power and importance of books and reading in people's lives and the people who worked so hard to maintain the library service through difficult, and often tragic, times.