Reviews

A Biblioteca de Paris by Janet Skeslien Charles

missyjohnson's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 stars. This story takes place in Paris beginning in 1939 with a young woman named Odile as she gets a job with the American Library Paris. The other focus is Lily in Froid Montana 1984. In 1984 Odile lives next door to Lily having moved to Montana in 1944. Odile helps Lily get through the illness and death of her mother. She and Lily become friends and she teaches Lily French. Odile loves her job at the ALP and the “subscribers” who are there daily. She meets Paul, a young police officer who somehow does not get conscripted into the French army. Odile’s twin brother, Remy, volunteers and is taken prisoner at Dunkirk. The library patrons are an interesting lot and I enjoyed the happenings with them. The book did drag a bit in the latter middle but did pick back up in the end. Learning how it was that Odile came to be married to Buck Gustafson and living in Montana was good. I liked how Odile was able to teach Lily about the dangers of snooping and telling things they knew about others. I was not aware of the library aspect and the folks who worked there during WWII.

michelle_sc's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.5

amyingomar's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

alexandralb's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

aligra77's review against another edition

5.0

I really enjoyed this book! Odile is a teenager living in Paris in 1939. She lands the job of her dreams in the American Library, but when war arrives the library struggles to stay open. As an act of resistance Odile and her librarian friends take books to their devoted Jewish readers who are not allowed to visit the the library. The people at the library become family to Odile and there are some wonderful character storylines throughout this book.

Fast forward forty years, Lily lives in Montana in the 1980’s and is a neighbour to an older reclusive Odile who mentors Lily, teaching her French. A strong bond develops between the two women which encourages Odile to re-engage with life. What led Odie to leave Paris and live a reclusive life in America? You’ll need to read this book to find out!

This is a wonderful book based on a true story. The writer has researched her subject well and has written a gripping novel. I received a free copy of this book, a favourable review was not required and all opinions expressed here are my own.

sensitivemuse's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

red_rocksie_reads's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

lenaryn's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

melinda_and_her_books's review against another edition

3.0

Thank you Netgalley and LibroFM for my gifted copies. Unfortunately I didn't really care for this book. I found myself bored and ready for the book to just be over already. It was a little boring to me. With maybe a few interesting parts here and there.

melps1611's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional informative inspiring sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0