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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
A WWII historical fiction based on the librarians of the American Library in Paris and their work to stay open and patrons supplied with books despite a Nazi occupation.
The best part about this novel is that it makes you read more. If you love libraries and books, this wiil be like a relaxing treasure hunt.
I also learned about some brilliant writers like Zora Neale Hurston.
The only minus, for me, it was a few intimate/ erotic details that I consider were not necessary.
I also learned about some brilliant writers like Zora Neale Hurston.
The only minus, for me, it was a few intimate/ erotic details that I consider were not necessary.
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Definitely on the lighter side of WWII historical fiction, with a dual timeline structure. Odile's story largely takes place in 1939-1944 Paris. She is a librarian at the American library, bringing books to those who cannot be there. In the mid-1980s, we meet teenager Lily in small town Montana with the older Odile, and the two form a friendship. Odile teaches Lily French and helps her through the loss of her mother and adolescent trials. She also begins to reveal more of her past and what happened to make her leave the library and her life in Paris.
There are books that stay with you and this is one. I feel there are so many lessons learned, so much insight and it will be with me for a while.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So so good! Nearly at tears at the end - it’s just what my heart needed
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is divided up by character and it all comes together in the end, but confusing for at least half of the book
I really enjoy reading historical fiction that takes place during WWII, most of the time I am riveted and I get very caught up in my feelings, unfortunately that didn't happen with this book.
This is a story that starts very slow as we follow Odile in Paris just before the war starts. She is a librarian in the Paris Library and this is her whole identity.
As the war progresses the focus remains on the library as expected with the title, but it is very slow.
We also have the story of Odile in 1985 in Montana and this revolves around her and her neighbor Lilly who is 12. As we are listening to the back and forth we progress through the war in the Paris chapters and we progress until Lilly graduates high school in the Montana chapters. That is a lot of time to cover, but it is done at such a slow pace it's hard to stay interested.
There were a lot of unanswered questions about Odile's life and what happened when she left Paris. You know that she never reached out again, but you don't know what happened to her family, to Paul, to her friends other than a very brief chapter at the end of the book. It seemed very out of character for Odile to do what she did.
Overall it was a good book, but it is not a page turner or as emotionally connecting as other historical fiction WWII books. I would not rush to read this one if you have others waiting in the wings.
This is a story that starts very slow as we follow Odile in Paris just before the war starts. She is a librarian in the Paris Library and this is her whole identity.
As the war progresses the focus remains on the library as expected with the title, but it is very slow.
We also have the story of Odile in 1985 in Montana and this revolves around her and her neighbor Lilly who is 12. As we are listening to the back and forth we progress through the war in the Paris chapters and we progress until Lilly graduates high school in the Montana chapters. That is a lot of time to cover, but it is done at such a slow pace it's hard to stay interested.
There were a lot of unanswered questions about Odile's life and what happened when she left Paris. You know that she never reached out again, but you don't know what happened to her family, to Paul, to her friends other than a very brief chapter at the end of the book. It seemed very out of character for Odile to do what she did.
Overall it was a good book, but it is not a page turner or as emotionally connecting as other historical fiction WWII books. I would not rush to read this one if you have others waiting in the wings.
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-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:
Yes