The Paris Library

“Like book covers, some leather, some cloth, each Parisian door led to an unexpected world.”

When Odile Souchet, in 1939, joins the American Library in Paris, and meets her Parisian police officer beau, she has no idea that the exotic, comforting world of books and love she has built will come tearing down in seconds. The Nazi invasion into Paris in WW2 changes Odile’s salubrious life forever, as she fights for justice and freedom for herself, and for her fellow librarians, with the best arsenal she has: books.

Fast forward to 1983, Odile lives in Montana, leaving behind the bitter sting of horrifying betrayal and pain in Paris. When Lily, a lonesome teen, comes into her life, the memories she tried to keep buried, bubble up, dangerously close to the surface.

A true story of the heroism of the members of The American Library in Paris during WW2, The Paris Library oscillates between 5 decades, and through its multitude of characters, explores the themes of love, loyalty, forgiveness, perseverance, poverty, betrayal, and redemption.

Right from the opening, I fell in love with the rich descriptions of Paris, the city of secrets, and the life and stories of the subscribers and staff of the Library. The plot was intricately balanced between the gory representation of the effects and after effects of the war and the Resistance on the characters and the city; and Odile’s undying affection for the library and books (and the Dewey Decimal system). As a sucker for books with multiple character viewpoints, it was a delight reading not just Odile’s and Lily’s take on things, but also the surprise chapters including the supporting characters opinions!

For fans of Parisian and war themed books, I totally recommend Janet Skeslien Charles's The Paris Library. I just finished reading Odile’s story, but I will have to reread it a couple more times to extract all the magic this book has to offer.

Happy reading 🦢

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The American Library in pictures

Librarian Boris Netchaeff (right) is also mentioned in the book; and has a special chapter dedicated just for him.

"He didn't remember falling, didn't feel his head hit the floor...saw the red run down his shirt...He heard the Nazis shout. It was all too much. Boris longed to slip up the spiral staircase, to walk along the secluded rows of books, to lose himself in the sweet quiet of the Afterlife"

Boris Netchaeff (extreme right) worked at

the American Library in Paris and was shot

during the 1940s while playing cards,

because he failed to raise his hands quickly

enough during his arrest.

Photo by: The American Library in Paris

When the Nazis entered Paris in 1940, and barred Jews from entering libraries, the American Library in Paris started an underground service delivering books to French Jews. Despite the ongoing war and terming of multiple books illegal, the Director Dorothy Reeder was staunch in the belief the Library would continue as normal; and stowed away important documents for safe-keeping (left). The Library also lent books to French troops across France, Syria, Algeria, and London (right).

Photos by: The American Library in Paris

You can go to https://americanlibraryinparis.org/history/ and https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2020/05/01/well-always-have-american-library-in-paris/ for greater depth in The American Library's history :)