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samantha_bt15's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Antisemitism, Death, Murder, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Violence, War, and Religious bigotry
bookishaddictions's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
I love good historical fiction novels, especially the ones that are based around true events. While The Paris Library isn’t exactly how the events happened, Charles definitely got the overall basis of it across. I found that the characters each faced so many relatable challenges, as well as scenarios I could never imagine being in myself. Odile and Lily take readers on adventures that show both the best and the worst of humanity. If you enjoyed The Paris Architect, you’ll likely enjoy this one 🇫🇷
I will say, The Paris Library has reminded me that I could never learn the Dewey Decimal System 🤣🤷🏼♀️
I will say, The Paris Library has reminded me that I could never learn the Dewey Decimal System 🤣🤷🏼♀️
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, Racism, and Racial slurs
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, and Gun violence
mariasreading's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
I almost didn’t finish this book, but I finished it out of pure hate LMAOOO
Before I go onto the review, a summary: Odile is a French librarian working at the American library in Paris during the German occupation. In the 1980s, Odile has moved to Montana and has a curious little neighbor named Lily, who she begins teaching French to and slowly reveals her life story.
Any book that tries to make me sympathize for a Nazi just because he also likes books, or feel sympathetic for a girl who falls for a Nazi? It’s a no for me. (An actual line was: “He wasn’t bad looking, for a Nazi,” and one girl describes a Nazi officer she’s fallen for as: “I need one person to know him, to see how kind he is.” No thanks.)
Technical notes: dual timeline, but it’s very choppy with no real rhythm, and switches randomly to side character POVs that don’t seem to add much. The ending was rushed and I didn’t feel like there was much depth to any of the characters.
Most of all, I felt it was a bit insensitive to the actual plight of people in WWII. At one point, one of the characters posits that if Odile had hidden Anne Frank, Anne would be alive - I think that’s a line that shouldn’t have been crossed, personally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Body horror, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, and War
Slut shaming
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