---
product_id: 415381652
title: "The Paris Library: A Novel"
price: "€ 24.30"
currency: EUR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
url: https://www.desertcart.de/products/415381652-the-paris-library-a-novel
store_origin: DE
region: Germany
---

# The Paris Library: A Novel

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## Description

desertcart.com: The Paris Library: A Novel: 9781982134204: Charles, Janet Skeslien: Books

Review: A Captivating Tale of Courage and Resilience Set Against a Historical Backdrop - The Paris Library: A Novel by Janet Skeslien Charles is a beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant story that transports readers to the heart of World War II Paris. This novel is a testament to the power of literature and the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The narrative skillfully intertwines two timelines: the story of Odile Souchet, a librarian at the American Library in Paris during the Nazi occupation, and Lily, a young woman in the 1980s who uncovers Odile's past. The dual perspectives provide a rich and multifaceted exploration of the impacts of war on personal lives and the enduring power of books to offer solace and hope. Charles’ writing is both evocative and engaging, painting vivid portraits of Paris during a tumultuous period while also delving deep into the emotional and personal struggles of her characters. Odile's story is particularly compelling, showcasing her bravery and determination as she navigates the challenges of war and fights to protect the library and its priceless collections. The book also excels in its portrayal of the significance of literature and the bonds formed through shared love of reading. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and their journeys are portrayed with empathy and depth. The exploration of themes such as friendship, love, and sacrifice adds layers of richness to the story. The Paris Library is not only a historical novel but also a heartfelt tribute to the resilience of individuals and the enduring power of stories. It is a beautifully written and deeply moving read that will captivate anyone who appreciates compelling historical fiction and the timeless impact of literature. Overall, The Paris Library is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and anyone interested in stories of courage and the transformative power of books. Janet Skeslien Charles has delivered a remarkable novel that is both touching and unforgettable. Highly recommended!
Review: Beautiful, Perfect for Book Lovers - I rarely read secular fiction. This isn't because I'm a prude, although some examples certainly do go heavy on the content I don't think I should read. No, it is simply that I'm picky about what I read, Christian and secular, and the latter tends to disappoint. But The Paris Library did the exact opposite. As noted, it's perfect for book lovers, of which I am one. It's also a well-written, rich, and unique book, period. First off, the portrayal of the American Library in Paris (ALP) is spot-on. From the front doors to the Afterlife, the Library is every bookworm's dream encapsulated in the written word. The books are a big part of that, but more, it's because the Library provides a home and community for Odile and her fellow librarians and subscribers. A great workplace will provide both, and those are rare today. I had one once, in a writing/tutoring center, and so visiting the ALP felt like coming home in more ways than one. This also helped me root even harder for Odile and the others as they worked to save books and bring literature, and hope, to subscribers who couldn't come any longer. As with any great book, the characters pop off the page. Odile is my favorite, partly because we're both bookworms but mostly because she is so human. She could be considered a World War II heroine, which fiction has plenty of these days. To consider her such would not be out of line at all. At the same time, she makes horrible mistakes and misinformed choices. She erects walls of unforgiveness and hides behind elegance and an attempt at perfection, like real people do, like I admit I do sometimes. You root for her precisely because she is imperfect, because she either walks among you or lives in your mirror. I didn't identify as much with Lily, but she was a breath of fresh air amid the heaviness of the rest of the book. She deals with some heavy stuff, and Janet Charles does a great job exploring those issues. Yet, Lily embodies what it meant to be a typical teen in the 1980s. I especially enjoyed her time period because I was born at the end of the decade and enjoyed seeing it through the eyes of teens and adults. Yet, I also enjoyed Lily for the ways in which she wasn't typical, or the ways she set herself apart and made a life for herself in small ways. The scene with the dove gray beret touched me in an odd but appreciated way, and I loved watching her relationship with Eleanor grow. The other characters are wonderful, too, especially the women. Margaret, Miss Reeder, Eleanor, Brenda...they each have their own stories and somehow, they all fit together, even when you wonder how or if they should. The male characters, too, are more fleshed out than I usually see in a novel like this. Pryce-Jones and Nerciat are funny, annoying, and comforting in their presence by turns. Boris provides a great perspective on WWII because he's already lived through the Russian Revolution. Remy provides gravitas and grounds the story in the reality of war without the overbearing sense you sometimes get from books like this. And I loved the twists with both Paul and Papa Joubert. Finally, I appreciated how Janet Charles probed some of the lesser-known aspects of World War II, such as, of course, the saving and banning of books, the "crow letters," and the way people from different countries came together to fight on the home front. I appreciated her approach to Nazi and civilian relations through Margaret and Dr. Fuchs, because again, that exploration isn't common. Most of all, I applaud Janet for presenting World War II through the lens of, "This is what it's really like to live through war as a civilian. It blows your life apart, and yet you keep going." I did question the constant shifts in POV, and whether certain POVs needed to be in the book. That is, a person's POV would be given once, and then you'd never see it again. I really wanted the story to focus only on Odile and Lily, and perhaps more of their inter-generational, international friendship. The end got a little tedious too, since Odile went back over information readers already knew and circled back to the first time she met Lily. I wasn't sure I needed to see it again, although I understand the choice. Overall then, The Paris Library is a solid, rich 4.5 that gets my definite recommendation. I'll be looking for more books like this, from all time periods. Book lovers unite!

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #25,390 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #259 in Mothers & Children Fiction #293 in Women's Friendship Fiction #820 in Literary Fiction (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 26,676 Reviews |

## Images

![The Paris Library: A Novel - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/711m1A2BY4L.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Captivating Tale of Courage and Resilience Set Against a Historical Backdrop
*by S***. on August 8, 2024*

The Paris Library: A Novel by Janet Skeslien Charles is a beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant story that transports readers to the heart of World War II Paris. This novel is a testament to the power of literature and the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The narrative skillfully intertwines two timelines: the story of Odile Souchet, a librarian at the American Library in Paris during the Nazi occupation, and Lily, a young woman in the 1980s who uncovers Odile's past. The dual perspectives provide a rich and multifaceted exploration of the impacts of war on personal lives and the enduring power of books to offer solace and hope. Charles’ writing is both evocative and engaging, painting vivid portraits of Paris during a tumultuous period while also delving deep into the emotional and personal struggles of her characters. Odile's story is particularly compelling, showcasing her bravery and determination as she navigates the challenges of war and fights to protect the library and its priceless collections. The book also excels in its portrayal of the significance of literature and the bonds formed through shared love of reading. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and their journeys are portrayed with empathy and depth. The exploration of themes such as friendship, love, and sacrifice adds layers of richness to the story. The Paris Library is not only a historical novel but also a heartfelt tribute to the resilience of individuals and the enduring power of stories. It is a beautifully written and deeply moving read that will captivate anyone who appreciates compelling historical fiction and the timeless impact of literature. Overall, The Paris Library is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and anyone interested in stories of courage and the transformative power of books. Janet Skeslien Charles has delivered a remarkable novel that is both touching and unforgettable. Highly recommended!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Beautiful, Perfect for Book Lovers
*by S***L on April 2, 2021*

I rarely read secular fiction. This isn't because I'm a prude, although some examples certainly do go heavy on the content I don't think I should read. No, it is simply that I'm picky about what I read, Christian and secular, and the latter tends to disappoint. But The Paris Library did the exact opposite. As noted, it's perfect for book lovers, of which I am one. It's also a well-written, rich, and unique book, period. First off, the portrayal of the American Library in Paris (ALP) is spot-on. From the front doors to the Afterlife, the Library is every bookworm's dream encapsulated in the written word. The books are a big part of that, but more, it's because the Library provides a home and community for Odile and her fellow librarians and subscribers. A great workplace will provide both, and those are rare today. I had one once, in a writing/tutoring center, and so visiting the ALP felt like coming home in more ways than one. This also helped me root even harder for Odile and the others as they worked to save books and bring literature, and hope, to subscribers who couldn't come any longer. As with any great book, the characters pop off the page. Odile is my favorite, partly because we're both bookworms but mostly because she is so human. She could be considered a World War II heroine, which fiction has plenty of these days. To consider her such would not be out of line at all. At the same time, she makes horrible mistakes and misinformed choices. She erects walls of unforgiveness and hides behind elegance and an attempt at perfection, like real people do, like I admit I do sometimes. You root for her precisely because she is imperfect, because she either walks among you or lives in your mirror. I didn't identify as much with Lily, but she was a breath of fresh air amid the heaviness of the rest of the book. She deals with some heavy stuff, and Janet Charles does a great job exploring those issues. Yet, Lily embodies what it meant to be a typical teen in the 1980s. I especially enjoyed her time period because I was born at the end of the decade and enjoyed seeing it through the eyes of teens and adults. Yet, I also enjoyed Lily for the ways in which she wasn't typical, or the ways she set herself apart and made a life for herself in small ways. The scene with the dove gray beret touched me in an odd but appreciated way, and I loved watching her relationship with Eleanor grow. The other characters are wonderful, too, especially the women. Margaret, Miss Reeder, Eleanor, Brenda...they each have their own stories and somehow, they all fit together, even when you wonder how or if they should. The male characters, too, are more fleshed out than I usually see in a novel like this. Pryce-Jones and Nerciat are funny, annoying, and comforting in their presence by turns. Boris provides a great perspective on WWII because he's already lived through the Russian Revolution. Remy provides gravitas and grounds the story in the reality of war without the overbearing sense you sometimes get from books like this. And I loved the twists with both Paul and Papa Joubert. Finally, I appreciated how Janet Charles probed some of the lesser-known aspects of World War II, such as, of course, the saving and banning of books, the "crow letters," and the way people from different countries came together to fight on the home front. I appreciated her approach to Nazi and civilian relations through Margaret and Dr. Fuchs, because again, that exploration isn't common. Most of all, I applaud Janet for presenting World War II through the lens of, "This is what it's really like to live through war as a civilian. It blows your life apart, and yet you keep going." I did question the constant shifts in POV, and whether certain POVs needed to be in the book. That is, a person's POV would be given once, and then you'd never see it again. I really wanted the story to focus only on Odile and Lily, and perhaps more of their inter-generational, international friendship. The end got a little tedious too, since Odile went back over information readers already knew and circled back to the first time she met Lily. I wasn't sure I needed to see it again, although I understand the choice. Overall then, The Paris Library is a solid, rich 4.5 that gets my definite recommendation. I'll be looking for more books like this, from all time periods. Book lovers unite!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Story of Everyday Courage in Occupied Paris
*by D***E on November 6, 2025*

The Paris Library combines fact and fiction to shed light on a remarkable chapter of World War II history. Based on the real American Library in Paris and the librarians who continued to serve readers during the Nazi occupation, the novel highlights a quiet yet meaningful act of resistance — delivering books to Jewish subscribers when they were forbidden to enter public spaces. Author Janet Skeslien Charles worked at the library herself, and it shows. The Paris chapters are rich with accurate detail about daily life under occupation — rationing, censorship, vigilance, and the moral choices ordinary people faced. The story also includes a later timeline in Montana, which creates a thoughtful connection between generations and shows how history lives on in personal memory. This is not a story of battlefront heroics; it’s a tribute to those who protected knowledge, dignity, and community when it mattered most. A compelling and accessible read for anyone interested in France, World War II history, or stories of quiet bravery. Highly recommend.

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*Product available on Desertcart Germany*
*Store origin: DE*
*Last updated: 2026-02-21*