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elmtreebooks's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Oof. Would not have finished were it not our book club pick this month.
Historical fiction but with no authentic sense of place. There were brief moments where the book was good, and the premise was a great story starting point! But overall the execution was trite and unlikable and a waste of a good idea. The worst part was reading the author’s notes at the end, and seeing how much potential this topic had in the hands of a more adept writer or with a better developmental editor that could help create actual character arcs that are satisfying.
My main issues:
- flowery writing stuffed with so many similes and metaphors that you’re often tripping over five in one paragraph. It makes the writing feel so trite and amateur, like reading a middle school age book report.
- I am biased against first person POV generally, but I especially hated that the two leads, Odile and Lily, were written with the same voice and immaturity. They both behaved and thought like a bratty teenager, which made sense for Lily, but Odile was purportedly a college grad and a woman so independently minded that she sought a career when it was unusual to do so. But other than that one act, she is a naïve idiot for the rest of the book. She is constantly cruel and judgmental to her “closest friends,” a thoughtless gossip, and does some truly heinous things throughout the book.
- She has moments of reflection (which oddly are written like they are reflections from the future and she’s telling the story of the past, but then the next line the verbs are present tense again? ) but she doesn’t actually learn from any of her choices until she runs away to Montana and takes no accountability with those she harms.
- “Do as I say, not as I did….” Is not a character arc.
- She claims innocence about the apartment trysts, but even if she had no idea the real reason why the apartments were empty… what possible explanation would have made her behavior ok? There was no excuse regardless of the real explanation?
- The world building lacked an authentic sense of place. Descriptions were glutted with unimportant factual details that didn’t create an emotional response, like an AP Euro history paper stuffed with rote memorizarion in an attempt to earn extra credit from the teacher. Yeah, you did the research — but fact-stuffing like that doesn’t evoke a sense of place and time.
- Overall, the character arcs were so messy and all over the place, so you were left with no one worth rooting for, except Mary Louise and maybe Lily. And Odile wasn’t worth loving to hate either. Just a frustrating trudge through a book that attempts to tell a story about a time of great complexity and conflict, but gives us the POV of a simpleton with no nuance or understanding of the world around her. She bumbles through the story, and the reader does too. She faces no consequences for her actions, and just runs away. It is the most uneventful non-development of a character arc.
- And seriously, I cannot overstate how many cheesy similes and metaphors were packed into this book. It was astonishing. If this hadn’t already been such a disappointing waste of time, I’d go back through and keep a tally.
Overall, deeply “meh” that veered into “ugh” territory regularly.
Historical fiction but with no authentic sense of place. There were brief moments where the book was good, and the premise was a great story starting point! But overall the execution was trite and unlikable and a waste of a good idea. The worst part was reading the author’s notes at the end, and seeing how much potential this topic had in the hands of a more adept writer or with a better developmental editor that could help create actual character arcs that are satisfying.
My main issues:
- flowery writing stuffed with so many similes and metaphors that you’re often tripping over five in one paragraph. It makes the writing feel so trite and amateur, like reading a middle school age book report.
- I am biased against first person POV generally, but I especially hated that the two leads, Odile and Lily, were written with the same voice and immaturity. They both behaved and thought like a bratty teenager, which made sense for Lily, but Odile was purportedly a college grad and a woman so independently minded that she sought a career when it was unusual to do so. But other than that one act, she is a naïve idiot for the rest of the book. She is constantly cruel and judgmental to her “closest friends,” a thoughtless gossip, and does some truly heinous things throughout the book.
- She has moments of reflection (which oddly are written like they are reflections from the future and she’s telling the story of the past, but then the next line the verbs are present tense again? ) but she doesn’t actually learn from any of her choices until she runs away to Montana and takes no accountability with those she harms.
- “Do as I say, not as I did….” Is not a character arc.
- She claims innocence about the apartment trysts, but even if she had no idea the real reason why the apartments were empty… what possible explanation would have made her behavior ok? There was no excuse regardless of the real explanation?
- The world building lacked an authentic sense of place. Descriptions were glutted with unimportant factual details that didn’t create an emotional response, like an AP Euro history paper stuffed with rote memorizarion in an attempt to earn extra credit from the teacher. Yeah, you did the research — but fact-stuffing like that doesn’t evoke a sense of place and time.
- Overall, the character arcs were so messy and all over the place, so you were left with no one worth rooting for, except Mary Louise and maybe Lily. And Odile wasn’t worth loving to hate either. Just a frustrating trudge through a book that attempts to tell a story about a time of great complexity and conflict, but gives us the POV of a simpleton with no nuance or understanding of the world around her. She bumbles through the story, and the reader does too. She faces no consequences for her actions, and just runs away. It is the most uneventful non-development of a character arc.
- And seriously, I cannot overstate how many cheesy similes and metaphors were packed into this book. It was astonishing. If this hadn’t already been such a disappointing waste of time, I’d go back through and keep a tally.
Overall, deeply “meh” that veered into “ugh” territory regularly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Sexual assault
Minor: War
laheath's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
I feel like I've read a good amount of WWII historical fiction, so I always appreciate finding another true, but little-known, story. This book combined that element with others that I love: stories of resistance and libraries/booklovers. Odile works at the American Library in Paris before and during the Nazi occupation. The group of librarians and subscribers become a sort of family during the war, keeping the library open and delivering books to Jewish subscribers who are no longer allowed in by German decree. They feel it's just one more way to do their part in addition to the rationing, volunteering at the hospital, and sending packages to their loved ones fighting with the Allies.
These chapters are alternated with the story of Lily who lives next door to Odile in Montana in the mid to late 1980's. As Lily is going through her teen years, she faces some difficult circumstances. Each time, Odile has some wise words from her past experiences to help her grow through these. They both learn how the choices we make and our relationships with others shape us into the people we become.
These chapters are alternated with the story of Lily who lives next door to Odile in Montana in the mid to late 1980's. As Lily is going through her teen years, she faces some difficult circumstances. Each time, Odile has some wise words from her past experiences to help her grow through these. They both learn how the choices we make and our relationships with others shape us into the people we become.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, War, and Hate crime
bookishaddictions's review against another edition
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
louisecalder's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: War and Violence
kaylasonlyheart's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Violence
_lia_reads_'s review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
There are so many books out there about Paris during WWII and this one honestly felt exactly like all of the other ones I’ve read. Yes, it was interesting to read about the American Library and it kept running during the war, but boy I’m impressed that a book about WWII could be so uneventful. I understand that the author based this on a true story but I wish she has embellished it a bit more. Also, all the characters collaborating with the Nazis was not handled well. The story acknowledges that the Nazis were bad but i was surprised at the lack of consequences, or even discussion about any of this. It happened, it was acknowledged briefly, and then everyone moved on.
With the title and setting, I was excited for a new look on Paris during WWII, and instead got more of the same tropes.
My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
With the title and setting, I was excited for a new look on Paris during WWII, and instead got more of the same tropes.
My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism, Violence, Toxic relationship, and Religious bigotry
acitygirlsthoughts's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you Netgalley, Atria Books, Simon & Schuster, and Janet Skeslien Charles for choosing me to review this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
I'm a huge fan of WWII historical fiction so I couldn't pass up this opportunity to review this! On top of that, I'm also an avid library user and supporter, so two of my favorite topics in one book? Yes! I enjoyed Janet's exploration of the different employees who worked at the American Library in Paris, their quirks, and Odile's (the protagonist's) all-conuming love for her work and friends at the American Library in Paris. Told in alternating point-of-views: Lily, an ambitious, lovable, and curious teen who's Odlie's neighbor in 1980's Montana, USA, and Odile herself.
Lily's growth from her middle school to high school years are influenced by Odile's wisdom as she helps Lily navigate adolesence through her mistakes she made as a teen herself. Although she didn't experience the brunt of WWII, her run-ins with the Nazis on-the-job shaped her morals and ethics as she dealt with secret spies for the Nazis, anti-semitism, and her friend's questionable loyalty to the Allies. Assumptions and hesitation led to some hiccups in her relationships but she used those lessons to teach Lily how to deal with situations similar to her's, such as jealousy. The writing isn't hard to follow; there's a few typos at the beginning but other than that it's fine.
Odile, Lily, Odile's family, Felix (Odile's boyfriend), Mary Louise, Odile's second husband, and the residents of Montana are the only fictional characters in this story, but just because they're fictional doesn't mean I agree with their justifications as a teachable moment. For example - this will be a spoiler but its worth mentioning - Odile tricks her husband into thinking she's single when she's currently married to Felix, all because Felix beat up her friend over her (friend's) affair with a Nazi. There's also an emotional disconnect between the reader and Odile's WWII story. Yes, she's probably blessed to have escaped a lot of violence and gore under the Nazis, but I didn't feel the thriller-esque feel promised, even when she physically ran into them twice. But other than that it's a great story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Bullying, Hate crime, Police brutality, and Misogyny
Moderate: Violence and Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity
internationalreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Infidelity, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Genocide, and Murder
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