The Paris Library cover art

The Paris Library

 Preview

Audible Standard 1-month free trial

Auto-renews at $8.99/mo + applicable tax after 30-day trial. Cancel Anytime
Try for $0.00
Compare plans

The Paris Library

Written by: Janet Skeslien Charles
Narrated by: Nicky Diss, Sarah Feathers, Esther Wane
Try for $0.00

$8.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.43

Buy Now for $26.43

Based on the true World War II story of the American Library in Paris, an unforgettable 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.

Paris, 1939.

Young, ambitious, and tempestuous, Odile Souchet has it all: Paul, her handsome police officer beau; Margaret, her best friend from England; Remy, her twin brother who she adores; and a dream job at the American Library in Paris, working alongside the library’s legendary director, Dorothy Reeder. When World War II breaks out, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear—including her beloved library. After the Nazi army marches into the City of Light and declares a war on words, Odile and her fellow librarians join the Resistance with the best weapons they have: books. Again and again, they risk their lives to help their fellow Jewish readers, but by war’s end, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal.

Montana, 1983.

Odile’s solitary existence in gossipy small-town Montana is unexpectedly interrupted by her neighbor Lily, a lonely teenager craving adventure. As Lily uncovers more about Odile’s mysterious past, they find they share not only a love of language but also the same lethal jealousy. Odile helps Lily navigate the troubled waters of adolescence by always recommending the right book at the right time, never suspecting that Lily will be the one to help her reckon with her own terrible secret.

Based on the true story of the American Library in Paris, The Paris Library is a mesmerizing and captivating novel about the people and the books that make us who we are, for good and for bad, and the courage it takes to forgive. 20th Century Fiction Friendship Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Women's Fiction War Inspiring Montana

You may also enjoy...
By Any Other Name cover art
By Any Other Name Written by: Jodi Picoult
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1

What the critics say

"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."
All stars
Most Relevant
I was totally enraptured by this wonderful story of inter generational relationships, of understanding of the human condition, of love, acceptance, of meanness of spirit, of rage, betrayal and loss of liberty, family and friendship. I will listen to this book again.

An unexpected treasure

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
l had no idea that a novel about a library could capture and hold my attention right to the final words. Bravo! Thank you for such meticulous work.

authenticity

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Excellent!! The narrators brought the characters to life!
I would highly recommend to anyone requiring an audio book.

Amazing

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I loved reading the historical account and the stories of the various characters whose lives were intertwined with the library. However, the Montana, USA angle was unnecessary and did not add to the storyline.

A good-ish book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The impulsiveness of youth and words spoken without thought can have consequences that last a life time. Can an older French woman who lived through Nazi occupation of Paris impress that upon a young girl in the US years later.

Enjoyable read

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews