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fadingapple's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5/5 stars
I really enjoyed this for the most part, but it also wasn't the greatest historical fiction I've ever read. Enjoyable but not incredible.
My favorite part: how the focus was on those in Paris during the Occupation, not on the war itself. So many historical fiction novels set in WW2 focus on the camps and the war - which are important stories to tell for sure! - but it was refreshing to get the perspective of others that struggled differently. Plus, as a book lover, I adored the background of the library.
My least favorite part: I can't quite put my finger on it, but really....so much of the conflict seemed...petty? Margaret seriously couldn't have been that out of tune with her actions, right? Odile wasn't that naive either, was she? It just....life goes on during war, absolutely - but something just didn't fully click for me and I'm not fully sure how to verbalize it. Oh, and the whole scene at the end with the men and the woman and....I understand the anger and resentment and that there had to be a reason she left but that seemed incredibly drastic by comparison...(I'm being extremely vague on purpose to avoid spoilers).
I think it was a well constructed story with the split between 1944 and 1984 Odile, I think it just lacked some amount of realism with some of the characters. Maybe it was just me not clicking, too.
I really enjoyed this for the most part, but it also wasn't the greatest historical fiction I've ever read. Enjoyable but not incredible.
My favorite part: how the focus was on those in Paris during the Occupation, not on the war itself. So many historical fiction novels set in WW2 focus on the camps and the war - which are important stories to tell for sure! - but it was refreshing to get the perspective of others that struggled differently. Plus, as a book lover, I adored the background of the library.
My least favorite part: I can't quite put my finger on it, but really....so much of the conflict seemed...petty? Margaret seriously couldn't have been that out of tune with her actions, right? Odile wasn't that naive either, was she? It just....life goes on during war, absolutely - but something just didn't fully click for me and I'm not fully sure how to verbalize it. Oh, and the whole scene at the end with the men and the woman and....I understand the anger and resentment and that there had to be a reason she left but that seemed incredibly drastic by comparison...(I'm being extremely vague on purpose to avoid spoilers).
I think it was a well constructed story with the split between 1944 and 1984 Odile, I think it just lacked some amount of realism with some of the characters. Maybe it was just me not clicking, too.
cdnbklvr's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
dejalu's review
4.0
I longed for time enough to read this but life kept getting in the way. I purposely left the last fourth for my New Year break so I could absorb it without pause and I’m so glad I did.
This had several things I love- France, libraries and the love and power of books, historical fiction based in real history, and lovable but complex characters. Nice surprise was some unexpected dramatic twists revealed toward the end.
Best (unexpected) plus was that it was a book that recommended other books. I’ll carry Odile and Lily with me for a bit and imagine their future with a happy ending.
This had several things I love- France, libraries and the love and power of books, historical fiction based in real history, and lovable but complex characters. Nice surprise was some unexpected dramatic twists revealed toward the end.
Best (unexpected) plus was that it was a book that recommended other books. I’ll carry Odile and Lily with me for a bit and imagine their future with a happy ending.
thepagelady's review
4.0
The Paris Library is definitely a book for book lovers! The book has two timelines and points of views so you really get to know both of the characters! I thought Odile and Lily were wonderful characters and the friendship that develops between Odile and Lily were one of my favorite parts! The story does move a little slow at times but it was still a wonderful story! If you like well written character driven stories based on real people and actual events you will enjoy this one!
kellylee55's review
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5. LOVED this one. Set in two time periods - WWII era in Paris and the 1980s in Montana - and written from multiple perspectives, this book follows the story of a Parisian librarian who lived during the German invasion of Paris during WWII and her life in Montana after the war ended. This book captured the customs of the times in each time period, as well as the hardships endured. The ending is what really tugged at my heart - it really made me stop and think of how everything we do and everything we say (and even the things we don’t do or sat) can effect everyone around us positively or negatively. This book is totally worth a read ❤️
andalucia's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
stark1974's review
5.0
I really loved this book and felt that I could have kept reading it long after it ended. I wished the story carried on. Such an interesting look at WWII through a library’s staff.
pam2375's review against another edition
4.0
WWII Historical Fiction is by far my favorite genre and this one did not disappoint. This story is told in dual timelines. I have read many a book that tries to make this work, some work well and some, well, not so much. This one works!
We get to follow our protag, Odile, from 1939 Paris at the American Library, where she is a librarian to 1983 Montana where we meet a lonely teenage girl, Lily. The story moves along at a wonderful pace and kept me engaged through the end.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for this advanced readers copy. This book is due to release in February 2021.
We get to follow our protag, Odile, from 1939 Paris at the American Library, where she is a librarian to 1983 Montana where we meet a lonely teenage girl, Lily. The story moves along at a wonderful pace and kept me engaged through the end.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for this advanced readers copy. This book is due to release in February 2021.